USCG Testing Requirements
What You Need To Know About Testing
Mariners Learning System™ was the first in the nation to be USCG-approved for online captain's licensing courses and testing. Upon successfully completing the Mariners Learning System online course, the student studies the materials and takes a proctored exam online.
Once the student passes our multiple-choice exam, they will receive a Mariners Learning System certificate recognized by the United States Coast Guard. Within one year, submit the original certificate along with an application package and applicable fees to the USCG National Maritime Center. Upon their approval of the package, they will e-mail the original USCG license.
Students testing online will see a section unlock once the course is successfully completed. This section goes over information and contains the final proctored exam(s). Only students who are currently enrolled in a Mariners Learning System course are permitted to take our proctored USCG license exam. The Coast Guard test must be entirely passed prior to the student's course expiration date. The USCG captain's license test is done on demand. OUPV/Six-Pack students will receive a Chart Plotting Test Packet in their original order, which will be used for the final exam. Plan accordingly.
To sit virtually for a proctored USCG license exam, students are required to have the online course completed. Students are responsible for having readily available all required documentation to take the exam. Students must also adhere to the rules of testing covered within the course. Without these, the student's exam will result in a failure.
If a captain's license program candidate fails one or more modules, they will be able to retest once their previous exams are reviewed and reattempts unlocked. This re-examination must occur within 3 months of the original testing attempt or prior to their course expiration date, whichever date comes first. Those who do not pass a USCG license exam module after three attempts must retake the entire online course and retest all modules online prior to their year course expiration date and wait a period of 45 days to retest.
What's Required
Students must have a high-speed Internet connection and an up-to-date desktop or laptop with a webcam and microphone. They must also be able to download our software through their MLS accounts, which is required to access the USCG license exam.
When testing online for the proctored exam, students will be required to display a legible photocopy of their Coast Guard-recognized photo identification on the computer screen. The student will be required to complete the course evaluation form prior to testing. These copies will be retained for our records per USCG requirements.