Help/Assistance

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Helpdesk phone:

360-236-3330

Subject matter expert contact information:

360-236-3330

shellfish@doh.wa.gov

Shellfish Operation License

Description/Purpose

The Commercial Shellfish Licensing & Certification Program is responsible for issuing licenses to Washington state commercial shellfish operations and certifying the sites from which they harvest. A variety of species are harvested commercially in Washington's Puget Sound and coastal regions, including oysters, clams, mussels, geoduck, and scallops. Since these species are filter feeders capable of concentrating chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or marine biotoxins, an ongoing evaluation of commercial shellfish growing areas, certified harvest sites, and licensed facilities is essential to protect the shellfish-consuming public.

Triggers and activities which would require this license

Commercially harvesting and/or processing and shipping molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels, scallops).

Explanation/Description of costs/fees, including statutory, regulatory, or other legal authority for fees

License fee: $263 to $1,210.00. The license fee will vary depending on the type of shellfish license.

Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) testing fee: $173.00 to $1,189.00. The PSP testing fee is additional if you plan on harvesting species other than geoduck intertidally and is dependent on type of operation and the number of harvest sites with your shellfish license.

Biotoxin fee is $353.00 to $2,412.00. The biotoxin fee will vary depending on the type of shellfish license and number of harvest sites.

Application Information

Yes.

  1. The application packet that includes all necessary forms.
  2. All applicable fees.

All operations must meet stringent state and federal sanitation standards.

   Washington State Department of Health
   Accounts Receivable
   PO Box 1099
   Olympia, WA 98507-1099

Licenses must be renewed annually.

An applicant has the right to an adjudicative proceeding to contest the decision. An adjudicative proceeding is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act Chapter 34.05 RCW.

Permit Timeliness Results

Permit Timeliness data collection is in response to a State Auditor’s Performance Audit and RCW 43.42A. Each regulatory agency developed a plan to improve permit clarity, predictability, and timeliness. Each agency considers the customers experience to ensure permit assistance is simple to use, easy to access, and designed in a customer-friendly manner. Agencies report progress to the Governor’s Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA). ORIA prepares and distributes reports, with participation from the State Auditor’s Office and Results Washington. See latest report here: https://www.oria.wa.gov/ORIA-2020-PermitTimelinessProgressReport.pdf.

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Process a Permit Application (Definition)
Average days from Receipt to Complete: 5
Maximum days from Receipt to Complete: 54

Estimated Time Required By the Agency to Issue a Permit Decision (Definition)
Average days from Complete Application to Decision: 5.1
Maximum days from Complete Application to Decision: 31


(Summary results based on 315 submittals in 2024)

Legal authority
Notes / Comments

Applications may be obtained from:

   Washington State Department of Health, Office of Environmental Health and Safety
   Physical Address: 101 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
   Mailing address: PO Box 47824, Olympia, WA 98504-7824
   Phone: (360) 236-3330
   Fax: (360) 236-2257

There are 3 major types of commercial shellfish operations:

  • Harvesters harvest shellstock (live, unshucked product) and sell only to other licensed Washington state shellfish dealers.
  • Shellstock Shippers grow and harvest shellstock and buy/sell in or outside of Washington State.
  • Shucker Packers activities may include those of harvesters and shellstock shippers, plus shucking and packing of product.
Contacts
Department of Health
Office of Environmental Health & Safety
Headquarters
101 Israel Rd SE
Tumwater WA 98501
Email: shellfish@doh.wa.gov
Website: http://www.doh.wa.gov/shellfish
Telephone: (360) 236-3330
Fax: (360) 236-2257
Department of Health, Office of Shellfish and Water Protection
Headquarters
243 Israel Rd SE
Tumwater, WA 98501
PO Box 47824 Olympia WA 98504-7824
Website: https://doh.wa.gov/
Telephone: (360) 236-3330
* Credential details last updated 10/19/2022
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