Welcome

Welcome to the Rhode Island Commercial Shellfish Harvester Education & Certification Program, provided by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)

The program involves a self-guided tutorial that enables you to meet the shellfish harvester education and training requirements for Rhode Island, as set forth by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.

All commercial shellfish harvesters are required to complete the tutorial in order to obtain certification for their RIDEM shellfish harvester's license or landing permit.

Current license holders and new license applicants need to follow the instructions below to ensure that you become properly certified.

  • The tutorial is best viewed on a computer, such as a desktop, laptop, or tablet. While it will work on a smart phone, using a phone is not recommended, since it is difficult to view on a small screen.

  • The tutorial takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may pause or exit the tutorial at any time, however you must resume the tutorial using the same computer or internet device. Clearing your cookies will reset the tutorial, and you will need to start again from the beginning if you do so. For these reasons, it is strongly recommended that you complete the tutorial in one continuous (30-minute) session. If using a laptop or other mobile device, be sure that it is plugged in. The tutorial contains both audio and visual information be sure your speakers are turned on and the volume is turned up.

  • If you are a current license holder, you must have your current RIDEM commercial license or permit number. You will be asked to enter that information, along with your name, at the end; it will be transmitted to RIDEM and used to verify your certification. If you are a new license applicant, you will need to enter your name, along with a verifiable phone number or email address.

  • Having a printer - to print your Certificate of Completion at the end of this tutorial -- is recommended, but not required. It is particularly helpful if you are a new license applicant. Since you will be entering your personal information at the end of the tutorial, and since that information will be automatically forwarded to RIDEM's licensing office, your information will be - or should be - on file at that office when you renew or apply for your new license. However, if the office is unable to verify your information, your printed certificate will serve as documented proof that you completed the tutorial and are certified. If you can, print it!

    • If you want a printed certificate at the end of this tutorial, and are not connected to a printer, exit now and begin again when you are connected to a printer.

    • If the information you enter at the end of this tutorial is verified by RIDEM's licensing office, you may also obtain your printed certificate at the office when you come in to renew or apply for your new license.

  • For this online version of the tutorial, each licensee, current or prospective, must individually complete the training to obtain certification. The online system does not allow for certification of multiple licensees who view the tutorial at the same time.

  • If you are hearing impaired, you may access a written transcript of the tutorial here, allowing you to follow along with the visual portion of the presentation.

  • Anyone is welcome to view the tutorial for informational or educational purposes. There is no limit to the number of times it can be viewed for such purposes.

  • Click on Start Training when you are ready to begin: