The Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1192 in 2013, expanding eligibility requirements for reduced license fees. Receiving a disability award or rating from the Social Security Administration or any other federal, state, or county entity does not automatically make one eligible for these reduced fees.
Temporary or short-term disabilities are not permitted.
This is for reduced fees only. This does not provide access to assistance cards, programs or facilities. You must apply for Hunter/Fisher Disability Status certified by a licensed MD, ARNP, or PA.
To qualify for reduced fees with WDFW you must have a permanent disability as described in RCW 77.32.480.
The following are eligible for a combination fishing license (fresh water, salt water, and shellfish) and/or hunting license(s) at a discounted rate (See the license fee schedule for more information):
- Resident who permanently uses a wheelchair as certified by a licensed MD, ARNP, or PA signature.
- Resident who is blind or visually impaired as certified by a licensed MD, ARNP, or PA signature.
Blind / Visually Impaired means:
Blindness is a central visual acuity that does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrective lenses, or the widest diameter of the visual field does not exceed twenty degrees, or Low Vision is a severe loss of visual acuity ranging from 20/70 to 20/200 while retaining some visual function, or Visual impairments may include, but are not limited to: Albinism, Aniridia, Aphakia, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, or other similar diagnosed permanent disease or disorder.
Not included: Hyperopia, Myopia, Astigmatism, and Presbyopia type conditions.
- Resident with a Developmental Disability as determined by DSHS authority or physicians certification.
Developmental disability means:
A cognitive intellectual disability such as: cerebral palsy, down syndrome, epilepsy, autism, or another neurological or another neurological condition of an individual found by the secretary to be closely related to an intellectual disability or to require treatment similar to that required for individuals with intellectual disabilities, which originates before the individual attains age eighteen, which has continued or can be expected to continue indefinitely, and which constitutes a substantial limitation to the individual. RCW 71A.10.020
Not included: Bipolar disorder, ADD, ADHD, Anxiety, PTSD, Cancer, Depression, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis.
How to apply
Download the Hunter/Fisher Reduced Fee Application (PDF)
If you meet the criteria for reduced fees, download and print the application, have a licensed MD, ARNP, or PA with documented knowledge of your disability complete the form, certify with signature, and mail it to:
WDFW, Licensing Division
PO Box 43154
Olympia, WA 98504
Or you can fax the application to 360-902-2466.