
Fishing Guide License
Fishing guides operate small uninspected passenger vessels on the inland waters of the United
States. The most common license for a fishing guide is the Operator of Uninspected Passenger
Vessel license, or OUPV license. Sometimes this license is referred to as the 6 pack license
because of the six passenger limitation.
The OUPV license will be issued with either as an OUPV limited scope waters, OUPV inland, or
OUPV near coastal.
An OUPV limited scope waters license is issued by a specific USCG Marine Safety Office (MSO)
and is valid only on the inland waters which are under the authority of the issuing MSO. In most
cases this is the easiest license for someone to acquire.
An OUPV Inland license is valid on all inland water of the United States, including all limited scope
waters routes.
An OUPV near coastal license is valid on all inland waters and all near coastal ocean waters out to
100 nautical miles from shore.
Oregon Fishing Guide
To become an Oregon Fishing Guide you need to register with the Oregon State Marine Board as
a Guide and Outfitter. To register you will need to supply the Oregon State Marine Board with a
notarized copy of your US Coast Guard (USCG) License, complete the application form, pay the
annual fee, and provide evidence of current First Aid and CPR Training, Liability Insurance, and a
Surety Bond if you receive deposits from customers in excess of $100.
Related Courses
64-hour Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV)
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 64-hour Operator of Uninspected Passenger
Vessels (OUPV) course and presents your Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center
WITHIN ONE YEAR of the completion of training, will satisfy the examination requirements of 46
CFR 10.205(i) for original issuance, 46 CFR 10. 209(c)(iii) for renewal, and 46 CFR 10.209(f) for
reissuance of a license as Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (Near Coastal).
16-hour OUPV/Master Limited Scope Waters
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 16 hour OUPV / Master Limited Scope Waters
course and who presents your Certificate of Training at the Regional Exam Center Sector Portland,
Oregon within one year of the completion of training, will satisfy the examination requirements of 46
CFR 10 205(i) for original issuance, 46 CFR 10 209(c)(m) for renewal, and 46 CFR 10 209(f) for
reissuance of a license as a Limited Master or Limited OUPV upon the following Limited Scope
route description:
“Upon all navigable, inland waters of the Marine Safety Office Sector Portland, Oregon zone
of responsibility except the Columbia River, the Willamette River downriver of the Oregon City
Locks, and the Snake River down river of Lower Granite Dam, Washington”
A completion certificate from your 24 hour Rules of the Road course used in conjunction with your
16 hour OUPV / Master Limited Scope Waters course by an applicant will remove the Columbia
River, Willamette River, and Snake River restrictions Applicants presenting proof of completion of
both of these courses will receive the following Limited Scope route description:
“Upon all navigable, inland waters of the Marine Safety Office Sector Portland, Oregon zone
of responsibility”
24-hour Rules of the Road
Any applicant who has successfully completed your 24-hour Rules of the Road course with a
passing grade of at least 90% and presenting your Certificate of Training at a Regional
Examination Center will EITHER satisfy the Rules of the Road Examination requirements for original
issuance or renewal of any deck license up to Master 200 GRT Master or Mate of Fishing Vessels,
and Apprentice Mate (Steersman); OR receive 7 days sea service credit towards any deck license
up to Master 200 GRT, Master or Mate of Fishing Vessels, Pilot (Mate). This sea service credit may
not exceed limits specified by law and may not be used to satisfy any recency requirements or
requirements for service on specific routes or types of vessels.
The minimum sea service
requirements for any OUPV
license, regardless of the route,
vessels, including 90 days of the
past three years.
To qualify for a near coastal
route at least 90 days of the
qualifying experience must have
been on near coastal waters
Oregon Fishing Guide
Here are some files and links
that contain more information on
becoming an Oregon Fishing
Guide.
Outfitter and Guide Information
Oregon State Marine Board