The section below is a list of questions frequently asked by mariners getting their captain’s license. Click on the questions and they will expand to give you an answer. If you have a question about getting your captain’s license that should be added to the list please give us a call (866) 293-9308 or shoot us an email.
The Blended Captain’s License Course is 5 – 7 days long. The class starts at 8:00 am and goes until as late as 5:00 pm with an hour for lunch. Course schedules may vary, for example some instructors offer private courses or course schedules designed to accommodate for individual schedules.
The time it takes to complete the online modules that make up the OUPV and Master captain’s license course varies by student. The average time frame is 2 – 4 weeks if you spend 2 hours per day.
It costs between $1,395 and $995 which includes everything you need to complete the course. The reason for the price range is due to the instructor in that area. We have been around for awhile now and we have gone through multiple pricing structures. In the last pricing restructure we slashed our blended course prices by $550! It was a bit of a shock to some instructor because a large chuck of that came from their compensation. Ironically the price cut was driven by new instructor in competitive markets that needed a lower price to complete. Visit or Blended OUPV or Master’s course page to see locations and prices of each Blended Classroom Captain’s License Course.
Below is a list of prices for online captain’s license course.
Visit our Shop for a full list of products and prices.
Visit the Blended OUPV or Blended Master Captain’s License Course Pages and give them a read through. The pages cover most of what you need to know.
From the course pages you can enroll in the course. The best way to enroll is right from the course page and then give us a call if you are confused at all and we can make sure you have access to the online exam modules and that you understand the process.
Visit the course page and enroll from there. You may find the courses pages in our Shop or by clicking the “Captain License” drop down menu at the top of each page of this website and selecting the course you are interested in.
Enrolling right from the course page is the best way to get started because a lot of the process is automated. If you are confused at all after you enroll contact us and we will be sure you have access to your course and understand the process by which the course is completed.
Complete the Exam Modules by passing quizzes which unlock topics sequentially. The final practice quiz unlocks a Certificate of Achievement for the exam module. Unlock the Certificate of Achievement for each exam module which makes up your course and you are ready for the Online Final Examination.
Take the Final Examination Online as soon as you are ready. The process is convenient, reliable and USCG approved. You are never alone during Online Final Examinations. Your proctor is always present to guide you through the process.
Complete the Exam Modules which make up your Course. You must complete your Exam Modules before you may schedule your Final Examination.
Contact us to connect with your proctor for the Online Final Examination. During the initial consultation you schedule your first exam session as well as ask questions you might have about the process.
Pass the Final Exam for each of the Exam Modules which make up your Course.
The online course is a combination of video lectures, readings, practice problems, video solutions to practice problems, and quizzes.
Get as much done as you can in the online exam modules before you show up the first day of class. You do not have to finish the entire online portion of the course but it is a good idea to get as far as possible in the online course before the first day of class. You end up finishing the online modules during the classroom portion of the course.
All students, whether online or in a classroom must complete the online exam modules to meet US Coast Guard regulations.
You will also need a laptop computer, mechanical pencils, notebook and calculator.
Yes you will. We created the exams from an existing bank of Coast Guard questions which will be covered in class.
Yes, you take the Online Final Examination with US Captains Training.
Our passing rate is very high! All students are required to complete the online modules whether they take a Blended Classroom Course or an Online Captain’s License Course. Completing the online modules proves you are ready to take the in person final exams. Our courses do not expire, we don’t give up on you!
Upon completion of the Online Final Examination your Certificate of Training unlocks and you may download it right away. Include the Certificate of Training with your USCG Application Packet. Keep in mind that the Certificate of Training is valid for one year from the issuance date on the Certificate.
You must submit an Application Packet to the US Coast Guard (USCG) to earn a license. You may submit your application packet to the USCG before or after taking a course.
IMPORTANT: Your course completion certificate (Certificate of Training) will satisfy the testing requirements for your license however, we recommend preparing your application and submitting it ASAP. The application evaluation process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. You do NOT need to include your course completion certificate with your application. If your application is evaluated and approved for issuance, you will be given one year to complete the course!
If you need help putting your application together, we have prepared the following resources:
A USCG application packet contains everything the USCG needs to process and issue your captain’s license. Fill out the Forms and complete the Tasks below to create an application packet. Don’t forget to try our Application Form Generator!
The US Coast Guard (USCG) application packet consists of the following USCG forms. Visit our Application Page for video tutorials of each form.
To complete an application packet you must complete the following tasks.
The total cost of completing a USCG application packet will vary. The figures below are cost estimates based on our experience.
The Certificate of Training satisfies USCG testing requirements. Once you complete the course and online final examination your Certificate of Training is issued. As a reminder, you can prepare and submit your application before completing the course. Keep in mind that due to USCG regulation, your Certificate of Training is only valid for one year.
Please follow the USCG Electronic Submission Instructions to email your complete USCG Application Packet to the Regional Examination Center (REC) nearest you. The USCG processes and issues your license once they have evaluated your application packet. The USCG evaluation process takes about four to six weeks.
If your packet is incomplete or filled out incorrectly the USCG will mail you a letter explaining what additional information they need. Get that information together and send it to the USCG to keep the process moving.
No. You have one year from the last day of class to finish your USCG packet and mail it to the USCG.
The minimum requirement to qualify for either an OUPV or an Inland Master Captain’s License is is the same and is listed below.
Document your sea time using Small Vessel Sea Service Forms. For a complete explanation please watch our video series on our Applications Page.
You must take a USCG Approved CPR & First Aid Course. Here is a link to a fully online U.S. Coast Guard Approved Blended CPR & First Aid.
If you Google TWIC the first listing is this web site https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic. Search for locations in your area and get the correct phone number to make an appointment.
You have to be resourceful and do detective work. Contact the facility that registered the vessel or dig up old insurance records of the vessel or find pictures of the vessel that show the registration numbers. This is a very common question.
The most common fees for an original issue are shown below. The fees will be different for renewal, upgrades, and increases.
pay.gov user fee image
The towing endorsement allows you to engage in commercial assistance towing within the scope of your license. The best example of what the Assistance Towing Endorsement allows you to do is work for companies like SeaTow or TowBoat US. Basically, you can legally tow disabled vessel and get paid for it.
A sailing endorsement authorizes the holder to take more than six paying passengers sailing.
If the vessel is documented, look on the certificate of documentation. You might get this information by contacting the vessel’s manufacturer. If all else fails just fill out the length, width, and depth of the vessel on the small vessel sea service form and the Coast Guard will calculate it when they go through your paperwork. Here is a link to our Tonnage Calculation Video if you would like to make an approximation of your vessel gross registered tonnage
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