What is a TWIC card and how do I apply for one?

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as TWIC®, is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels. You will need this when you submit your Course certificate to the National Maritime Center for your License.

You can obtain your TWIC here. https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic

How much on the water time must I have to qualify for the different types of licenses?

OUPV INLAND (6 PACK) = Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length.

OUPV NEAR COASTAL (6 PACK) = Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (These requirements are the same as those for the Master Inland/OUPV Near Coastal Endorsement License) A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. Also, 90 of those 360 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard.

MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TONS) A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length.

MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TON) / OUPV ENDORSEMENT (These requirements are the same as those of the OUPV Near Coastal License) A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. Also, 90 of those 360 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard.

MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TON) / MATE NEAR COASTAL ENDORSEMENT A minimum of 360 days on the water experience from age 16 years to present is required. 90 of those 360 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a power or sail vessel over 16 feet in length. Also, 180 of those 360 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard.

MASTER NEAR COASTAL (25, 50 OR 100 TON) A minimum of 720 days on the water experience from age 16 to present is required. 90 of those 720 days must be within the most recent 3 years on a similar size vessel to the license you are applying for. Also, 360 days of those 720 days must be on waters outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard

How do I prove my time on the water to meet the US Coast Guard requirements?

Most recreational boaters do not maintain log books, so the Sea Service forms which are included in the USCG application package must be filled in using the honor system. This form consists of twelve boxes, one for each month of the year. Starting with the most recent year, you fill in the number of days you can best recall being on the water and then go backward in time to the age of 16 years old, or until the sea time requirements have been met. This time is then supported by proof of ownership of the vessel, if you are claiming time on your own boat. If you claim time on someone else's boat, then they must sign your sea service form.

Proof of ownership may include such documents as: registration papers, documentation papers, insurance papers, or bills of sale. Pictures are not considered acceptable. To claim your time the vessels should be greater than sixteen (16) feet in length.

What are the hours for the OUPV program?

The OUPV (6 pack) course is a 56 hour program and the test date is typically scheduled on a Sunday 2 weeks following course completion. We offer several different formats for our course curriculum. Some classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Other classes are held on Thursday evenings, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We also offer compressed courses which begin on Monday and run through Sunday. Classes that are held in the evenings begin promptly at 6:00 pm and finish at 10:00 pm. Daytime classes begin promptly at 8:30 am and finish at 5:30 pm. To see the actual class dates please refer to our website schedule.

Captains' License Information

Why You Need a License

Licenses are required in order to legally carry passengers for hire. This includes charters for fishing, sightseeing, diving, transportation, teaching or any use which is considered a “passenger for hire” situation. Many companies require them for boat deliveries.

OUPV License

This license is properly termed “Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels” (OUPV) and is commonly referred to as the “6-pack” or “Charterboat Captain’s License”. The word “uninspected” means that the equipment required and the design of the boat are less regulated. “6-pack” refers to the 6 passenger limitation placed on the license. OUPV licenses are issued with a particular route. Your license can be for the Great Lakes, Inland routes meaning bays, sounds, rivers, lakes, etc. of the US or Near Coastal routes out to 100 miles offshore. All OUPV licenses are for 100 Gross Tons vessels (about 100 feet, more or less). The OUPV license may be upgraded to a Master license.

Master License

A Master license is required if you operate “inspected” vessels. Inspected vessels are allowed to carry more than 6 passengers. To become Inspected, the vessel must be built in accordance with rigid USCG Commercial Vessel Inspection standards.

Requirements For All Original Licenses

Application
Physical taken within 12 months
Approved drug test taken within 6 months
Approved CPR and First Aid taken within 12 months

Requirements For OUPV License

Age 18 years old or over for an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV)
Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC)
Citizenship or Form I-551, Alien Registration Card
Physical, Hearing and eye exam – Available through our Captains License Class’s affiliated doctor.
Drug Test – Available through our Captains License Class’s affiliation with Lab Corp & Quest Labs.
CPR/First Aid training – Available through our Captains License Class’s affiliated instructor.
90 days service in the last 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage.
Near Coastal: 360 days deck service in the operation of vessels, including 90 days service on ocean or near coastal waters.
Great Lakes/Inland: 360 days deck service in the operation of vessels, including 90 days service on Great Lakes.
Inland: 360 days deck service in the operation of vessels.
Towing Endorsement: Must request and pass towing endorsement examination.

Requirements For Master License
Master of Vessels on Not More Than 100 Gross Registered Tons

90 days service in the last 3 years on vessels of appropriate tonnage.
Near Coastal: 720 days of service steam, motor, or auxiliary sail vessels on ocean or near coastal waters (360 days inland is acceptable)
Great Lakes and Inland: 360 days service steam, motor, sail/aux. sail vessels including 90 days on Great Lakes waters
Inland: 360 days service steam, motor, aux. sail vessels on any waters
Rivers: 360 days service steam, motor, aux. sail vessels on any waters
Sailing Endorsement: Must submit evidence of 360 days of service on sail or auxiliary sail vessels (service obtained before license OK).
Towing Endorsement: Must request and pass towing endorsement examination or complete course.

License Renewal

All USCG licenses must be renewed every 5 years. No written exams are required. You will need a renewal application, a physical and an approved drug test.

Further Information

The US Coast Guard issues all Captain Licenses. The Regional Examination Centers (REC) provide the applications and plenty of information about requirements and when and where to take the exams.

Some commercial companies have qualified and are approved by the Coast Guard to administer some of the exams. They often provide exam-preparation classes for a fee.