The USCG Masters License allows the holder to operate both inspected and uninspected vessels. Any vessel that is certified (authorized) by the USCG to carry more than 6 paying passengers plus crew must have a Captain who holds a Master’s license. Ferry boats, harbor tour boats, and whale watch boats are examples of inspected vessels.

The USCG has approved the Boatwise Master 100 GT curriculum to substitute for the USCG exam. Upon completion of our 80 hour class, students review the materials at their own pace and return to take our test typically 1 week following course completion. After successfully passing the 4 sections of our multiple choice exam, students receive a certificate which, along with the complete application, may be submitted for the Master level license. The tonnage rating will be determined by the USCG for 25 GT, 50 GT, or 100 GT depending upon the individual’s experience on similar sized vessels in the past three years.

What are the USCG Requirements  for the Masters License?

There are 4 different Masters Licenses a mariner may qualify for: Master Inland, Master Near Coastal, Master Inland/OUPV, and Master Inland/Mate N.C. Both the amount of sea service time and the size of the vessels that you have been on will influence the license that you are eligible for. Masters licenses are tonnage rated at 25 GT (gross tons), 50 GT, or 100 GT. The tonnage that you are awarded is determined by the size of the vessels that you’ve gained experience on in the last 3 years – this is known as “recency experience.” You are not required to advance through the different licenses one at a time. If you meet the USCG requirements for the master 100GT Near Coastal, you’ll get that license as your first license. The 4 types of Masters licenses up to 100 GT are listed below, along with their requirements: 

1. Master Inland: 360 days underway experience since age 16; 90 of those 360 days in the last 3 years. Completion of approved Course and Test.

2. Master Inland/OUPV: 360 days underway experience since age 16; 90 of those 360 days in the last 3 years; 90 of those 360 days outside the boundary lines. Completion of approved Course and Test.

3. Master Inland/Mate N.C.: 360 days underway experience since age 16; 90 days of those 360 days in the last 3 years; 180 of those 360 days outside the boundary lines. Completion of approved Course and Test.

4. Master Near Coastal: 720 days underway experience since age 16; 90 of those 720 days in the last 3 years; 360 of those 720 days outside the boundary lines. Completion of approved Course and Test.  

Additional requirements:

• Minimum Age – 19 years old
• Physical Exam, Drug Test, Eye Exam, Color Blind Test
• Valid CPR/First Aid card (American Red Cross, Heart Assoc. or USCG Approved course)
• U.S. Citizenship
• Completed USCG application package
• Certificate of Completion from an approved Boatwise class….or take the USCG exam!
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC Card)