Boating Registration & Licenses

boats in a harbor

Registering a boat in Rhode Island?

We’re glad to help. Our office issues boat registrations and also licenses for commercial and recreational fishing and shellfishing. We process approximately 32,000 registrations each year!

officer checking license for two pheasant hunters

Hunting Licenses

View regulations pertaining to hunting, hunting licenses, stamps, & permit fees.

two people opening a fishing net

Commercial Marine License Information

Commercial saltwater fishers can renew marine licenses online, download commercial fishing forms, and learn about fishing sizes and limits.

qr code with pictures of wale, seal and turtle, federally protected atlantic marine animals need help from boaters like you

Federal Protected Atlantic Marine Animals need help from boaters like you.

Visit NOAA website to learn how you can boat safely around whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and sturgeon.

We administer the state's boat registration program as well as the issuance of licenses for commercial and recreational fishing/shell fishing. This involves the licensing of approximately 32,000 boats yearly. The associated fees are processed and all necessary records kept for each individual registration.

Rhode Island Outdoors logo on a photo of boaters at Charlestown Breachway

Rhode Island boat registrations and renewals are moving to a new online system.

Please take a few minutes to create an account in our new system so you can save time when your renewal becomes due. Get started today!

dem.ri.gov/boating