4th of July Sale: Save 35% with code BOAT35
0

4th of July Sale: Save 35% with code BOAT35

0
Home  / Knowledge
Previous  / Next

Essential Steps to Qualify for a Master’s Captain’s License

by Bob Figular June 20, 2024 4 min read

Master's Captain’s License: Essential Steps to Qualification

What are the requirements to upgrade an OUPV to Master's captain's license?  

Although the necessary boating experience required for each version of the Master's license varies, the bare minimum requirements are the same:  

  • At least 19 years old when submitting your application packet
  • U.S. citizen 
  • Obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC Card)  
    • It can be expired when submitting for the Upgrade   
  • Additional boating experience (if necessary) 

  • Complete a USCG Upgrade License Application Package 

Finally, you must complete our Coast Guard-approved OUPV/Six-Pack Upgrade to 25/50 or 100-Ton Master course.  

📞 We recommend contacting the National Maritime Center (NMC) at (888) 427-5662 to confirm if you need to update your drug test and physical forms.

 

What are the sea requirements for the Masters Inland/OUPV Inland?  

A minimum of 360 days would be required to become Master's Inland/OUPV Inland licensed. Ninety (90) of those days must be done in the last seven years. The Coast Guard calls that recency. 

 Here is a table to give some guidance on the sea time requirements: 

Category Requirement 46 CFR Reference

Recency 
90 days in the past 7 years on vessels of any tonnage. Experience gained in the engine department may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements. 
 11.201
11.410
Master Less Than 100 
Inland - 360 days of service on any waters.
 11.457 
Great Lakes - 360 total days of service in the deck department. OF WHICH: 90 days of service on Great Lakes. 
 11.455
Tonnage Calculations 
100 GRT - 90 days (25%) of service on vessels of 51 GRT or above, OR 180 days (50%) of service on vessels of 34 GRT or above. 
 11.422 
50 GRT - 90 days (25%) of service on 26 GRT or above vessels, OR 180 days (50%) of service on vessels 17 GRT or above. 
 11.422 
25 GRT - 271 days (75%) or more for endorsement on vessels 5 GRT or less, OR 90 days (25%) of service on vessels 1-25 GRT OR 180 days (50%) of service on vessels 1-16 GRT. 
 11.422 
(If the mariner does not meet the tonnage calculation for 50 GRT or more, he or she is eligible for 25 GRT) 

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement (Optional) 
180 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels, and complete the CG Auxiliary Sail exam module or approved Auxiliary Sail course 

11.455


What are the sea requirements for the Master's Inland/OUPV Near Coastal?

The sea service requirements for the Master's Inland/OUPV Near Coastal are at least 360 days of underway experience since age 16, with 90 of those days outside the boundary lines. Ninety (90) of the total 360 days must be done in the last seven years for recency. Recency can be completed on any body of water - whether rivers, lakes, bays or the ocean - because the Coast Guard's primary concern is ensuring you have recent experience on the water.

 

What are the sea requirements for the Master's Near Coastal?  

A Master's Near Coastal License would require a minimum of 720 days of underway experience since age 16, with 360 of those 720 days outside the boundary lines. Ninety (90) of the total 720 days must be done in the last seven years for recency. Recency can be completed on any body of water - whether rivers, lakes, bays or the ocean - because the Coast Guard's primary concern is ensuring you have recent experience on the water.  

 Here is a table to give some guidance on the sea time requirements: 

Category

Requirement

46 CFR Reference
Recency
90 days in the past 7 years on vessels. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of any tonnage may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements.

11.201
11.410

Master Less Than 100 
720 days of service in the deck department on Ocean, Near Coastal or Great Lakes waters, OF WHICH, service on inland waters may substitute for up to 360 days of the total required service.

11.428
NOTE: Any service will be credited as follows:
  1. Service on GL will be credited day for day
  2. Service on vessels to which STCW applies (inland or NC) will be credited day for day

11.401

Tonnage Calculations 
100 GRT - 180 days (25%) of service on vessels of 51 GRT or above, OR 360 days (50%) of service on vessels of 34 GRT or above. 

11.422 
50 GRT - 180 days (25%) of service on vessels of 26 GRT or above, OR 360 days (50%) of service on vessels of 17 GRT or above. 

11.422 
25 GRT - 541 days (75%) or more for endorsement on vessels 5 GRT or less, OR 180 days (25%) or more on vessels 6-25 GRT, OR 360 days (50%) or more on vessels 1-16 GRT. 

11.422 
(If the mariner does not meet the tonnage calculation for 50 GRT or more, he or she is eligible for 25 GRT)

Sail or Auxiliary Sail Endorsement (Optional) 
360 days on sail or auxiliary sail vessels, and complete CG Auxiliary Sail exam module or approved Auxiliary Sail course 

11.428 

Explore Topics

Explore Content Types

Recent Articles

Join the Conversation

Ask a question, share an experience, or add a helpful tip related to this article. Comments may appear after review to prevent spam.

More Maritime Knowledge You May Like

Close-up of a doctor and patient going over captain’s license drug test documents.

The Captain’s License Drug Test: A Step-by-Step Guide to Avoiding Application Delays

June 09, 2026

Learn what questions to ask and how to prepare for a captain’s license drug test to ensure you avoid the most common application delays.

5 min read
Desk with MMC credential, USCG drug test form, and specimen cup for required testing.

USCG Drug Testing Requirements: 3 Types of Drug Tests Licensed Captains Need to Know

June 04, 2026

Discover the three types of drug tests working captains must submit to even after they’ve met the initial USCG drug testing requirements for their license.

5 min read
A man wearing a black cap and headset sits at the helm of a boat.

From the Cockpit to the Captain’s Chair: How Sam Crouse Found His Next Career on the Water

June 02, 2026

Discover how a retired airline pilot became obsessed with the Great Loop and built a thriving captain training business through Mariners Learning System.

6 min read
Close-up of a gloved hand holding a urine specimen cup for an MMC drug test.

What Does the MMC Drug Test Look For?

May 28, 2026

Learn which substances the MMC drug test looks for, plus how masking agents and false positives factor in.

5 min read
Stethoscope and pen on a patient registration form used for a captain’s license physical exam.

The Captain’s License Physical Exam: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

May 26, 2026

Discover the five most common mistakes mariners make on the captain’s license physical, plus a checklist for how to avoid them.

5 min read
Various boating safety items on a dock next to a boat, representing real charter startup costs.

What Your Charter Startup Really Costs: Vessel and Equipment

May 19, 2026

Discover why so many charter captains run out of money and how to plan every startup cost from your vessel purchase to guest-ready outfitting.

4 min read
Man seated on a boat with a laptop, working on his charter business plan.

Creating Your Charter Business Plan

May 14, 2026

Learn how to build a charter business plan that covers pricing, expenses, and marketing so your captain’s license leads to lasting profit.

5 min read
Woman on a dock taking a call, smiling as she quotes charter rates professionally.

Communicating Your Charter Prices With Professional Confidence

May 12, 2026

Transform how you talk about price with proven anchoring strategies and value-first framing that stops charter guests from shopping around.

4 min read
Man on a boat checking a clipboard as he adjusts charter pricing models to maximize revenue.

Combining and Adjusting Your Charter Pricing for Maximum Revenue

May 07, 2026

Discover how charter captains use hybrid pricing models and seasonal adjustments to increase revenue and simplify bookings for every guest type.

4 min read
Stylized illustration of a globe showing Africa and the Middle East in red and yellow against a blue background.

500,000 Kits and Counting: Inside the Partnership Between MLS and We Make

May 05, 2026

Learn how Mariners Learning System and We Make built an eight-year partnership creating meaningful careers for adults with autism through real operations.

5 min read

Ready to Get Started?

Shop Courses or Talk to a Licensing Specialist

Shop Courses Call 609-613-0839