Decoding USCG Boat Captain’s Licenses: Your Guide to Making the Right Choice

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been considering getting your USCG captain’s license but are having trouble deciding which type is right for you.

I get it. The whole process — from picking the license type to passing your exam — can feel overwhelming at first. That’s why I always recommend working with an experienced, Coast Guard-approved school, like Mariners Learning System. We’ve helped thousands of aspiring captains simplify this decision and move forward with confidence.

To get you started, let’s look at the different types of boat captain licenses and the important elements to consider in your decision.

Types of Boat Captain Licenses: OUPV/Six-Pack vs. Master License

When it comes to USCG captain’s licenses, you have a choice between two primary paths: the OUPV/Six-Pack license and the Master’s license.

My standard advice: Go for the highest-level license you qualify for. I’ll illustrate why this matters later.

The OUPV/Six-Pack Captain’s License

This is the license of many names: the “Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels” (OUPV), or “Six-Pack,” or even the informal “charter boat captain’s license.” Its defining characteristic is right in the name: You can take up to six paying passengers out on your (uninspected) boat.

The Six-Pack license comes in three versions:

• Inland: Valid on inland waterways like bays, rivers, and sounds
• Near Coastal: Valid on inland waterways and up to 100 miles offshore
• Near Coastal With Great Lakes: Valid on inland waterways, up to 100 miles offshore, and on the Great Lakes (not included with Inland alone)

Most holders of the Six-Pack license own a recreational vessel that they operate commercially. The license doesn’t require any special inspections to do so; it only requires that the keel was laid in the United States (according to the Jones Act of 1920).

The Master Captain’s License

The Master’s license opens more doors for commercial operations on the water. You retain all the qualifications of a Six-Pack, including carrying up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel, but you gain the ability to take passengers out on an inspected vessel as well. There, you’re only limited to the number of passengers the boat is legally allowed to carry under its Certificate of Inspection (COI).

The COI is a professional-level Coast Guard inspection that includes everything from passenger limits and crew requirements to the type of safety equipment on board and where and when the vessel can operate. It’s a detailed assessment that goes far beyond a typical safe boat inspection.

The Master’s license comes in three tonnage levels, depending on which size vessel you have experience with:

• 25 Ton
• 50 Ton
• 100 Ton

Like the Six-Pack, the Master’s license also has Inland, Near Coastal, and Great Lakes versions, but the Near Coastal version extends your operating area to 200 miles offshore instead of 100 (in an inspected vessel only).

What About Endorsements?

Both types of boat captain licenses allow for additional endorsements that expand what you can do on the water.

Towing Endorsement

You can add a Towing Endorsement to both the Six-Pack and Master’s licenses. This allows you to perform assistance towing, which is like becoming the AAA of the waterways. You’re helping boats that run out of fuel, run aground, or experience mechanical trouble.

Sailing Endorsement

The Six-Pack license already covers both uninspected power and sail with up to six passengers, so you don’t need a Sailing Endorsement there. However, if you have a Master’s license and want to take more than six paying passengers out on an inspected sailboat, you’ll need this endorsement to let the Coast Guard know you’ve had specific training.

Why I Recommend Pursuing the Highest-Level License You Qualify For

When I was still in the planning stages of getting a USCG captain’s license, I bumped into a licensed captain at a bar one night. He gave me a piece of advice that changed my life: Go for the highest-level license you qualify for. 

Even though I had no plans to operate commercially, I took that advice. Instead of pursuing a Six-Pack as I’d planned, I went straight for my Master’s license. 

Within three days of getting my credential, I met a couple who needed their boat transported from Miami to Annapolis, and then back down to the Caribbean. Within a week, I was on the job.

Here’s the kicker: While the Coast Guard didn’t require a Master’s license for this job, the couple’s boat insurance company did. 

Having that license opened up all kinds of doors I never expected to walk through, but I’m so glad I could. That first year, I went from having no plans to use my license commercially to making $110,000 running boats. 

And I’ll tell you something else: There’s something powerful about having “USCG Licensed Master” on your business card when people are deciding who they want at the helm of their vessel.

Which USCG Captain’s License Do Our Students Actually Choose?

Most students at Mariners Learning System are recreational boaters who just want to increase their knowledge and improve their safety on the water. These folks typically choose to pursue the OUPV/Six-Pack license, which is a great option for their needs.

About 20% of Mariners students intend to use their license commercially. In those cases, I typically recommend pursuing a Master’s license from the start.

One frequent question I hear from recreational boaters is, “What size boat requires a USCG captain’s license?” In reality, the Coast Guard doesn’t require a license based on boat size — yes, even for a 65-foot yacht. They only care whether you’re operating that vessel commercially.

But remember how I needed my Master’s license for that very first boat delivery? Your insurance company could require a license based on boat size. 

To reduce risk, insurance companies may want a licensed captain operating your boat, especially if it’s a larger vessel. About 10–15% of Mariners students (and we currently have 10,000+) get their captain’s license because of insurance requirements.

Can I Upgrade My License Later?

Absolutely. We offer an upgrade course for those who start with a Six-Pack and later realize they need a Master’s — and it gets a lot of use.

The same goes for adding endorsements down the line. You can always add a towing or sailing endorsement as your maritime pursuits evolve.

Some boaters think they have to start with the Six-Pack before getting their Master’s. Good news: That isn’t true. If you’ve already got the sea time, you can go straight for your Master’s license. Once you have that, you’re automatically qualified for everything beneath it — including running Six-Pack charters.

Basic Requirements for All USCG Captain’s Licenses

Regardless of which type of boat captain license you choose, you’ll need to meet these minimum requirements:

• Document 360 days of boating experience (90 within the last three years)
• Pass a physical and a drug test
• Get adult CPR and First Aid certification
• Obtain your Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card)
• Pass the USCG exam (either through an approved school like Mariners Learning System or directly with the Coast Guard)

Regarding boating experience, let’s pause to clear up one common misconception: You don’t need a licensed captain to sign off on your sea time. If you own your boat, you can sign off on your own time. If you’ve spent time on a friend’s boat, they can sign for you — and they don’t have to be a licensed captain to do so.

Types of USCG Captain’s Licenses: Final Thoughts

Choosing between the different captain’s licenses doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can make an informed decision by considering your goals, the level of responsibility you’re comfortable with, and your long-term plans on the water.

Whether you’d like to discuss which type of boat captain license fits your needs or you’re ready to hit the books, Mariners Learning System is here to help.

Explore our courses and upgrade options here.