Fish dealer license — Exemption — Fees.
RCW 77.65.280
in effect(1) A fish dealer license is required for a person in the state who: (a) Takes possession of raw or frozen fish or shellfish, in whole or in parts, to prepare, repackage, process, or preserve. This includes, but is not limited to: (i) Canning or processing of fish or shellfish for payment, whether the fish or shellfish is commercially harvested or taken for personal use; and (ii) The commercial manufacture or preparation of fertilizer, oil, meal, caviar, fish bait, or any other by-products from fish or shellfish; (b) Engages in the wholesale selling, buying, or brokering of raw or frozen fish or shellfish. Certain buyers may be additionally required to obtain a wholesale fish buyer endorsement as specified in RCW 77.65.340 . (2) A fish dealer license is not required for: (a) Licensed commercial fish or shellfish harvesters who either sell only to licensed wholesale fish buyers or who possess a limited fish seller endorsement; (b) Retail businesses that purchase exclusively from Washington licensed wholesale fish buyers or from limited fish sellers for sale to end consumers. (3) A business engaged in any activity requiring a fish dealer license only needs to purchase one fish dealer license to cover the actions of all employees. (4) The annual license fee for a resident fish dealer is four hundred dollars. The fee for a nonresident fish dealer license is seven hundred eighty-five dollars. The application fee for both resident and nonresident licenses is one hundred five dollars.
(1) A fish dealer license is required for a person in the state who:
(a) Takes possession of raw or frozen fish or shellfish, in whole or in parts, to prepare, repackage, process, or preserve. This includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Canning or processing of fish or shellfish for payment, whether the fish or shellfish is commercially harvested or taken for personal use; and
(ii) The commercial manufacture or preparation of fertilizer, oil, meal, caviar, fish bait, or any other by-products from fish or shellfish;
(b) Engages in the wholesale selling, buying, or brokering of raw or frozen fish or shellfish. Certain buyers may be additionally required to obtain a wholesale fish buyer endorsement as specified in RCW 77.65.340 .
(2) A fish dealer license is not required for:
(a) Licensed commercial fish or shellfish harvesters who either sell only to licensed wholesale fish buyers or who possess a limited fish seller endorsement;
(b) Retail businesses that purchase exclusively from Washington licensed wholesale fish buyers or from limited fish sellers for sale to end consumers.
(3) A business engaged in any activity requiring a fish dealer license only needs to purchase one fish dealer license to cover the actions of all employees.
(4) The annual license fee for a resident fish dealer is four hundred dollars. The fee for a nonresident fish dealer license is seven hundred eighty-five dollars. The application fee for both resident and nonresident licenses is one hundred five dollars.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.65&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026