The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) requires every captain’s license applicant to pass a medical and physical evaluation documented on CG-719K. The exam covers vision, hearing, cardiovascular fitness, and physical ability under 46 CFR 10.302. A licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or designated medical examiner performs the evaluation.
Most aspiring captains spend their time worrying about sea time and the written exam. The physical fitness portion of the process rarely gets the same attention, and that’s where people run into trouble.
The Coast Guard doesn’t require you to be an athlete. What they do require is proof that you can perform routine and emergency duties on the water without a medical condition or medication impairing you. That proof comes through a specific exam, performed by a qualified provider, with results documented on a federal form.
Here’s what the exam actually tests and how to prepare for it.
The captain’s license physical is a medical evaluation governed by a federal regulation called 46 CFR 10.302, which sets the medical and physical standards for all Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC), the official credential behind your captain’s license. The exam isn’t a single fitness test. It’s a review of your overall health across several categories, each designed to confirm you can handle life at sea.
The physical fitness evaluation confirms you can perform routine vessel operations and respond to emergencies, covering vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and physical ability under federal standards. A licensed physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or designated medical examiner can perform the exam and sign the form, per 46 CFR 10.302(b).
Your provider documents the results on Form CG-719K, the Application for Medical Certificate.
The USCG sets specific visual acuity requirements under 46 CFR 10.305(a). For deck officers (which includes OUPV and Master), you need uncorrected vision of at least 20/200 in one eye and correctable vision to at least 20/40 in that same eye. Color vision testing is also part of the exam. If you don’t pass the standard color test, alternative testing methods exist, though the Coast Guard may place a limitation on your credential.
For more detail, read our post on the captain’s license vision test.
The CG-719K exam evaluates several distinct areas. Here’s a breakdown of what your provider will assess and what the Coast Guard looks for:
|
Category |
What the Exam Tests |
Federal Reference |
|
Vision |
Uncorrected 20/200 and correctable to 20/40 (one eye, deck standard), color perception |
|
|
Hearing |
Audiometer at 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 Hz if concerns exist; 30 dB threshold in at least one ear |
|
|
General Medical |
Blood pressure, chronic disease management, medication review |
|
|
Physical Ability |
Strength, balance, coordination, ladder climbing, lifting |
|
|
Drug Screening |
DOT 5-panel urine test (separate from the physical) |
The Coast Guard evaluates five categories during the captain’s license physical: vision, hearing, general medical fitness, physical ability, and drug screening. The drug test is a separate appointment from the physical exam, but both are part of your application package.
A condition on this list doesn’t automatically disqualify you. If your condition is treated, stable, and documented, many applicants pass without issue. Read about common medical disqualifiers and how the Coast Guard handles them.
Yes. The Coast Guard reviews each applicant individually under 46 CFR 10.303, which covers medical waivers, limitations, and restrictions. Conditions like controlled diabetes, treated sleep apnea, and managed hypertension are among the most common issues that clear review when properly documented.
Your medical certificate’s validity depends on the type of credential you hold. Under 46 CFR 10.301(b), most domestic captain’s license holders receive a certificate valid for up to five years. Mariners on STCW vessels receive a two-year certificate.
Most captain’s license holders receive a medical certificate valid for five years, while STCW-vessel mariners receive a two-year certificate. You’ll need a current medical certificate to renew your credential when it expires.
The form expires 12 months after your provider signs it. Plan your exam timing using the captain’s license application timeline so you don’t create an artificial deadline.
Yes. A new physical exam is required each time you renew your captain’s license. The same standards apply, and the same providers can perform it.
We’ve guided more than 200,000 students through the licensing process, and the physical trips people up more often than you’d expect. Not because the exam is hard, but because people walk in unprepared for the paperwork.
Here’s what to do before your appointment:
Download the CG-719K from the Mariners Learning System website and review it before your visit. Bring a list of every medication you take, both prescription and over-the-counter. Bring records for any diagnosed condition, including treatment history and provider letters confirming stability.
Check every page of the completed form before you leave the office. Incomplete or unsigned forms are one of the top reasons applications get delayed at the National Maritime Center (NMC).
Verify that your provider holds one of the four qualifying credentials under 46 CFR 10.302(b): licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, licensed nurse practitioner, or designated medical examiner. If they don’t, the form is invalid. For more preparation tips, review the full application requirements checklist.
The Coast Guard doesn’t set a standard fee for the exam. Fees vary by provider and location. Your regular doctor can perform the exam as long as they hold one of the four qualifying credentials under 46 CFR 10.302(b).
The CG-719K, officially called the Application for Medical Certificate, is a multi-page federal form your provider completes during your exam. Download the most current version immediately before your appointment so you’re working with the latest revision.
The base medical standards under 46 CFR 10.302 apply to both OUPV/Six-Pack and Master license applicants. The same form, the same exam, the same provider qualifications.
Yes. The DOT 5-panel drug test is a separate requirement from the physical exam. It’s conducted at a SAMHSA-certified lab and must be completed within six months of your application date per the NMC checklist.
The captain’s license physical isn’t designed to keep you off the water. It’s designed to confirm you can operate a vessel safely and respond when things go wrong. If you can pass a standard medical exam and your conditions are documented, you’re likely closer to meeting the physical fitness standards than you think.
If you have questions about the physical or any part of the captain’s license application process, the team at Mariners Learning System is here to help. We’ve guided more than 200,000 students through this process, and we’re not going to let paperwork be the reason you don’t get your license.
Coast Guard medical processes change. This blog post reflects current USCG guidance as of the date displayed above. For the most current information, contact the National Maritime Center or a Mariners Learning System licensing specialist.
Ask a question, share an experience, or add a helpful tip related to this article. Comments may appear after review to prevent spam.
Unlock 24/7 access to Navi, an AI instructor trained on MLS course material, so you can ask questions, run practice quizzes, and nail your captain’s exam.
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.
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.
Discover how a retired airline pilot became obsessed with the Great Loop and built a thriving captain training business through Mariners Learning System.
Learn which substances the MMC drug test looks for, plus how masking agents and false positives factor in.
Discover the five most common mistakes mariners make on the captain’s license physical, plus a checklist for how to avoid them.
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.
Learn how to build a charter business plan that covers pricing, expenses, and marketing so your captain’s license leads to lasting profit.
Transform how you talk about price with proven anchoring strategies and value-first framing that stops charter guests from shopping around.
Discover how charter captains use hybrid pricing models and seasonal adjustments to increase revenue and simplify bookings for every guest type.
