New Hampshire charter captain requirements
Quick answer
What license do I need to run a charter in New Hampshire?
You need the federal USCG captain's license plus New Hampshire's Party/Charter Boat License from Fish and Game's Marine Division, licensed by calendar year. Charter boats carry 6 or fewer passengers for a set fee, party boats carry more and charge per person, and any federal-water permit adds 48-hour eVTR reporting.
| Layer | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Federal credential | USCG captain's license (OUPV six-pack or Master 25 to 100 Ton), required for all for-hire carriage of passengers |
| State license | Party/Charter Boat License: charter for 6 or fewer passengers at a set fee, party boat for more than 6 charging per person |
| Vessel registration | Register the vessel with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, or document it federally through the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center |
| Federal fishery permit | Greater Atlantic charter/party permit for regulated species and/or the Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat plus Angling permit for tuna, shark, or billfish |
| Reporting duty | Electronic Vessel Trip Report (eVTR) within 48 hours of completing a trip for any federally permitted trip, regardless of species or waters fished |
| Layer | What you need | Who it applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal credential | USCG captain's license (OUPV six-pack or Master 25 to 100 Ton), required for all for-hire carriage of passengers | Every operator taking paying passengers, regardless of species or water | 46 CFR / National Maritime Center (read 2026-07-22) |
| State license | Party/Charter Boat License: charter for 6 or fewer passengers at a set fee, party boat for more than 6 charging per person | Any vessel offering recreational saltwater fishing trips for a fee in New Hampshire | NH Fish and Game, NH Licensed Charter and Party Boats (read 2026-07-28) |
| Vessel registration | Register the vessel with the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, or document it federally through the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center | Any vessel operated in New Hampshire that is not otherwise USCG-documented | New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles, boat registration (read 2026-07-28) |
| Federal fishery permit | Greater Atlantic charter/party permit for regulated species and/or the Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat plus Angling permit for tuna, shark, or billfish | For-hire operators taking anglers for these species in federal waters | NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic charter/party permits (read 2026-07-28) |
| Reporting duty | Electronic Vessel Trip Report (eVTR) within 48 hours of completing a trip for any federally permitted trip, regardless of species or waters fished | Any operator holding a Greater Atlantic or Atlantic HMS for-hire permit | NOAA Fisheries Vessel Trip Reporting, Greater Atlantic Region (read 2026-07-28) |
Read the full regional guide: The Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit
New Hampshire charter license, in detail
New Hampshire requires a Party/Charter Boat License for any vessel offering recreational saltwater fishing trips for a fee. A charter boat carries 6 passengers or fewer for a set trip fee; a party boat carries more than 6 and charges per person. Licenses are issued by calendar year and Fish and Game recommends renewing early in the year.
NH Fish and Game, NH Licensed Charter and Party Boats (read 2026-07-28)
State vs federal water boundary
New Hampshire's coastline is short (about 18 miles), but its state waters still extend about 3 nautical miles from shore under the Submerged Lands Act; federal waters begin beyond that line.
Submerged Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1301 and 1312 (read 2026-07-28)
New Hampshire charter FAQ
What license do I need to run a charter boat in New Hampshire?
You need the federal USCG captain's license plus New Hampshire's Party/Charter Boat License, issued by Fish and Game's Marine Division on a calendar-year basis. The state does not publish the fee on its public pages, so confirm the current amount when you apply.
What is the difference between a charter boat and a party boat in New Hampshire?
A charter boat carries 6 passengers or fewer for one set trip fee, while a party boat carries more than 6 passengers and charges each angler individually. Both need the same state Party/Charter Boat License and the federal USCG captain's license.