Classes of Licenses and what they mean

The licenses are broken down into various grades under two main sets of legal requirements that govern what you will use the license for. The two categories are:

The minimum age is 18, and although you must have a social security number and photo ID, you need not be a citizen of the United States for the OUPV.

Click on the main headings below to read more about each class (OUPV and Master).

Click here to return to the main page "So you want to be a licensed captain."

Click here to download a pdf of General Information (SP-REC-08(03).

Click here to download a pdf of Renewal Information.

Types of Captain’s Licenses
OUPV (6-Pack)		Master		Beyond
Inland	Near Coastal	Inland	Near Coastal
To carry up to 6 paying passengers on uninspected vessels in inland waters	To carry up to six paying passengers on uninspected vessels up to 100 miles offshore	For more than 6 passengers on inspected and up to six on uninspected vessels on inland waters	For more than 6 passengers on inspected and up to six on uninspected vessels on inland waters and up to 200 miles offshore	Auxiliary Sailing endorsement: For any license Requires one additional test and 360 days sea time aboard a sailing vessel
Requires 360 days on water experience since age of 15, no offshore requirement	Requires 360 days on water experience since age of 15, with a minimum of 90 days offshore	Requires 360 days on water experience since age of 15, no offshore requirement	Requires 720 days on water experience since age of 15, with a minimum of 360 days offshore	Commercial Assistance Towing endorsement: For any license Requires one additional test
Other requirements: Minimum age 18 Social security number US Citizenship not required	Other requirements: Minimum age 18 Social security number US Citizenship not required	Other requirements: Minimum age 18 Social security number US Citizenship required	Other requirements: Minimum age 18 Social security number US Citizenship required	Tonnage based on determined expeience: 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1600, 3000 or unlimited tons
		With an OUPV NC Endorsement, you may operate an OUPV vessel to 100 miles offshore		Additional routes: all oceans
Additional qualifications/endorsements: Not a comprehensive list
Radar Endorsement	FCC Marine Radio Operators Permit & GMDSS	Oceans and Celestial	STCW	Firefighting Engineering Medical

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Classes of Licenses and what they mean

Types of Captain’s Licenses

OUPV (6-Pack)

Master

Beyond