4th of July Sale: Save 35% with code BOAT35
4th of July Sale: Save 35% with code BOAT35
Coast Guard-Approved License
Carry up to six paying passengers with a Coast Guard-approved license designed for fishing charters, sightseeing trips, and small vessel operations.
An OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) license - commonly called the Six-Pack - allows you to carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel. If you need to carry more than six passengers or operate an inspected vessel, compare this with the Master captain’s license.
This license is commonly used for fishing charters, sightseeing trips, and other small passenger operations where you are being paid to operate the vessel.
For a full overview of license types, requirements, costs, timelines, exams, and application steps, start with our complete captain’s license guide.
Start a small charter, fishing, sightseeing, or guide service and become a licensed captain authorized to carry paying passengers through Coast Guard-approved captain’s training.
Build on your existing boating experience and earn a captain's license to operate commercially, carry passengers for hire, or expand your opportunities on the water.
Turn your boating experience into paid commercial work, part-time charter operations, or a new maritime career path through professional captain’s license training.
For a complete walkthrough, including examples and video, review the full OUPV license overview.
Most OUPV captain’s license applicants must document at least 360 days of qualifying boating experience, including 90 days within the last three years, to meet USCG sea service requirements.
Complete a Coast Guard-approved captain’s license course or pass required examinations covering navigation, Rules of the Road, chart plotting, deck safety, and other topics required for OUPV licensing.
Provide valid CPR and First Aid certification meeting Coast Guard application requirements before submitting your OUPV Captain’s License application package for final processing and approval.
Submit required Coast Guard application forms, medical documentation, drug testing results, and supporting records as part of the OUPV captain's license approval process.
Requirements are defined by the U.S. Coast Guard and may change based on current standards and your individual experience.
Mariners Learning System allows students to start USCG-approved captain's license training online and access structured coursework, digital study guides, practice tools, and required learning materials from virtually any device.
MLS students move through structured online lessons covering navigation, Rules of the Road, chart plotting, vessel operations, and licensing topics using integrated digital study guides and practice examinations.
Mariners Learning System integrates secure online proctored testing directly into the course structure, allowing students to complete required Coast Guard-approved examinations remotely from home or while traveling.
MLS provides step-by-step application guidance to help students organize sea service forms, medical documentation, drug testing records, and supporting paperwork before submission to the NMS.
Authorizes operators to carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel for fishing charters, sightseeing tours, guide services, and other small commercial boating operations.
Required for carrying more than six passengers on inspected vessels and commonly used for larger charter boats, tour vessels, ferries, and commercial passenger operations.
Many operators begin with an OUPV License for smaller charter operations, then upgrade to a Master level License as vessel size, passenger capacity, and commercial opportunities expand.
If you are still comparing license paths, review the complete captain’s license guide before choosing between OUPV and Master.
OUPV stands for Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels, commonly called the Six-Pack license, because it allows the holder to carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel.
You can carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel. If you need to carry more than six passengers, you may need a Master captain’s license.
You can carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel. If you need to carry more than six passengers, you may need a Master captain’s license.
No. With a Mariners Learning System Coast Guard-approved course, you can take the online captain’s license exam through the approved online testing process.
Training can be completed in a few weeks, depending on your schedule. The full process depends on your course pace, exam completion, application readiness, and Coast Guard review, so review the captain’s license timeline before planning your start date.
Yes. Many operators start with an OUPV license and later upgrade to a Master captain’s license as their business grows.
Yes. CPR and First Aid certification are typically part of the captain's license application requirements. Review the captain's license application process to determine which documents and supporting materials to prepare.
After you pass the course and required exams, you’ll prepare and submit your captain’s license application package to the Coast Guard for review.
