Welcome

Welcome to Rhode Island's RIO's Marine License renewal service.

Online renewals of all commercial marine licenses have been temporarily suspended in preparation for the launch of a new system.

Commercial marine licenses will be incorporated into the Rhode Island DEM RIO recreational hunting and fishing system at https://rio.ri.gov. License renewals will be available for 2023 starting soon.

Please review the following important information about 2023 licensing:

Please be advised Article 7 of the RI General Laws has been amended and includes the restructuring of commercial marine licenses & fee increases, which became effective July 1, 2022. The new license structure & fee increase is reflected in the 2023 license renewal.

All CFL and PEL licenses and accompanying restricted and non-restricted species endorsements have been converted into Standard Fishing Licenses with either Limited or Unlimited fishery sector endorsements which allow the same fishing access as the previous license. An Unlimited fishery endorsement allows access to all allowable species within the sector for which it is applicable. A Limited fishery endorsement allows access to a limited suite of species within the sector for which it is applicable.

Please note the license year runs January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 with the renewal window period running from January 1, 2023 through Midnight on February 28th, 2023 (for Resident & Nonresident Standard Fishing Licenses, Multi-Purpose and Shellfish over 65 license holders). Failure to renew your license by February 28, 2023 will result in the assessment of an additional Two Hundred Dollar ($200.00) late fee if you opt to renew your marine license during the sixty (60) day grace period for late renewals, which runs March 1, 2023 through April 29, 2023. Deadline dates and renewal grace periods do not extend the validity of expired licenses. It is unlawful to fish in 2023 without a valid 2023 license.

A temporary license identification number will be issued at the completion of your online renewal process. The temporary identification will allow you to engage in the marine fisheries for your license type and endorsement. You must carry your temporary identification with you at all times while engaged in the Rhode Island marine fisheries. Please allow two weeks for processing and mailing of your marine license. If you do not receive your license within the two-week time period, please contact the DEM, Office of Boat Registration & Licensing at (401) 222-6647.

Please note, eligible Student Shellfish License (STUDSF) license holders have until June 30, 2023 to renew the license. There will be no grace period or late fee renewals for Student Shellfish License holders.

Licensed fishers are obligated to comply with possession limits for finfish as provided in the Marine Fisheries listserve, dedicated phone line at (401) 423-1920, or webpage at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/marine-fisheries/mfsizes.php. Licensed shellfishers are obligated to comply with conditional closure areas as provided on DEM's dedicated phone line at 401-222-2900.

Additionally, all applicants who harvest shellfish must complete a 30-minute online tutorial, which is located at https://www.ri.gov/dem/training/shellfish/ prior to license issuance/renewal.

See our help page for more information about the cost of your renewal. If you have questions regarding your marine license, please contact the RI DEM Office of Boat Registration & Licensing between 8:30 am and 4 pm (EST) Monday through Friday at (401) 222-6647.

Please note the online renewal service is currently unavailable, please check back soon. With a license renewal backlog anticipated because of the transition to the RIO system, DEM will extend a two-week renewal period - through close of business, Friday, Jan. 13,2023 - for current license holders wishing to renew in order to fish starting January 1, 2023. During this two-week period, it will be permissible to fish with a valid 2022 license if your renewal has not been processed in time. DEM regrets any inconvenience.