Everything You Need to Know to Get Your Captain’s License in Michigan

What would you do with a captain’s license in Michigan?

A captain’s license opens the door to countless opportunities, both for business and education. Whether you want to take passengers out for hire, increase your safety on the water, or simply learn more about boating, a captain’s license is definitely worth pursuing. 

Whatever your reason, understanding the captain’s license requirements for Michigan (or any other state) is critical to your success. 

Ways to Enjoy Boating (and a Captain’s License) in Michigan

Michigan is the only state in the United States that borders four of the five Great Lakes. Its coastline spans more than 3,000 miles, making Michigan home to the longest freshwater coastline in the world. Every mile along the coast offers stunning natural beauty, fascinating ecosystems, and endless experiences for boaters of all types to enjoy.

Boating Activities in Michigan

With coastlines along lakes Michigan, Superior, Huron, and Erie, Michigan boasts diverse bodies of water for business, exploration, and fun. 

The shoreline is characterized by unique sights like sandy beaches, towering dunes, and rocky cliffs that enhance the boating experience. Plus, the area offers a wide range of boating activities, including sailing, powerboating, kayaking, watersports, freshwater fishing, and more. And with a captain’s license, you can turn any of these activities into a side hustle or career.

Great Boating Spots in Michigan

With plenty of marinas, boat ramps, and launch facilities available all along the Great Lakes coasts, Michigan’s best boating spots are easy to access. Plus, it’s not hard to find beautiful locations away from the crowds.

Some of the most popular destinations include:

• Mullett Lake: Known for crystal-clear waters, beautiful views, and ample space for fishing, water skiing, and cruising.
• Port Austin: A small town right on the tip of Michigan’s thumb that offers sandy beaches, a kayak launch site, and easy access to Saginaw Bay.
• Saginaw Bay: A large body of water within Lake Huron, perfect for sailing, fishing for walleye, powerboating, or simply watching a breathtaking sunset.

Whether you’re an avid angler, water sports enthusiast, or lover of cruising on the water, Michigan’s boating spots offer something for everyone.

Requirements for a Captain’s License in Michigan 

Captain’s license requirements aren’t specific to Michigan or any other state; they’re the same across the country. That said, there are some unique elements of earning a captain’s license in Michigan.

The Most Time-Consuming Requirement: Experience

The most significant requirement for earning a captain’s license in Michigan is a minimum of 360 documented days — consisting of at least four hours each — of boating experience on the water. Of those 360 days, 90 days must be within three years of your application.

If you’re pursuing an OUPV or Six-Pack license, you’ll receive either an Inland captain’s license for lakes, rivers, and bays or a Near Coastal captain’s license for U.S. inland waterways and up to 100 miles offshore. The Coast Guard will issue the license that matches your experience. If you want a Near Coastal license, 90 days of your experience must be in the ocean or in near-coastal waters.

Because of their size, the Great Lakes provide an ocean-like experience. In fact, boating on the Great Lakes is so ocean-like that the Coast Guard recognizes one day on the Great Lakes as equivalent to one day on the Atlantic. That means you don’t have to make several thousand-mile trips to the ocean to meet Near Coastal license requirements. 

Steps to Earn Your Captain’s License in Michigan (and Beyond)

Now that you understand captain’s license requirements, you can start earning your own. Below is a step-by-step guide to the typical licensing process, but keep in mind that many of the steps can overlap. 

Step #1: Accrue and Document Experience on the Water

By the time you’re ready to start earning your license, you should be well on your way to collecting those required 360 days on the water. You don’t need to have them all done before starting the next step, but make sure you have a plan to complete them, as some of the later steps have firm timing windows.

Step #2: Take an Approved Captain’s License Course and Exam

To apply for a license, you need to complete either the Coast Guard’s exam or a Coast Guard-approved exam. The best way to prepare is by completing a course that provides the resources and guidance you need every step of the way.

Mariners offers a comprehensive and flexible online course that ends with a Coast Guard-approved exam. We’ve tailored our course to provide students with more than just a collection of facts to pass a test; we want you to walk away with deep knowledge that actually benefits you on the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard offers its own exam, but the test pulls from a database of over 10,000 questions, not all of which necessarily relate to earning a captain’s license. Our Coast Guard-approved exam narrows its focus to only relevant information for captain’s licensing, so you can focus on learning what you really need to know.

Once you register with Mariners, you have one year to complete the course on your own schedule, and you can retake the test until you succeed.

Step #3: Meet All USCG Requirements

In addition to experience, the Coast Guard also requires:

• Physical exam
• Drug test
• CPR certification
• First-aid certification
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card
• Legal status to work in the U.S.

If you go directly to the Coast Guard for your exam and licensing, you’ll need to meet all requirements within six months of your application. One benefit of taking a captain’s license course with Mariners is that you have a year to complete the course and another year to meet all Coast Guard requirements.

The only exception is the drug test, which must take place within six months of your captain’s license application. We recommend students wait to get their drug tests until they’ve completed the program and are close to submitting their license application.

Step #4: Apply for Your Captain’s License

Once you meet the captain’s license requirements and pass the exam, you can email your application to any Coast Guard Regional Exam Center (REC). Most people opt to e-submit to the REC closest to them; for Michigan residents, this is the Toledo, Ohio, location.

RECs typically process your paperwork and issue your license within a few months. Be sure to follow all instructions for form submission carefully to avoid processing delays.

Meet Michigan Captain’s License Requirements With Mariners

Whether you want to start a commercial business, increase your boating safety, or deepen your knowledge of your favorite hobby, earning a captain’s license is a worthwhile goal.

Ready to start working toward a captain’s license in Michigan? Our dedicated team at Mariners is here to help you reach your goals. Contact us today to learn more.