Your path
USCG License Journey
Every major USCG endorsement — sea service requirements, tonnage thresholds, and exactly what stands between you and the license you want.
Track your progress. Sign in to see how your logged sea service maps to each license tier.
Start freeOUPV / 6-Pack
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels
Sea service
360days
What it covers
The entry-level passenger-carrying license. Carry up to 6 passengers for hire on your own uninspected vessel. The license most charter captains, fishing guides, and sailing instructors get first.
Requirements
- +360 days on the water (any combination of qualifying service)
- +90 of those days within the last 3 years
- +Age 18 or older
- +TWIC card
- +Physical exam (CG-719K)
- +Drug test within 185 days (CG-719P)
- +CPR & First Aid certification
- +Rules of the Road exam
Master 100 GT
Master of vessels under 100 Gross Tons
Sea service
360days
50+ GT qualifying vessels
What it covers
The workhorse license for charter, headboat, diving, and small ferry captains. Covers vessels up to 100 GT on Near Coastal or Inland waters — the vast majority of civilian commercial vessels.
Requirements
- +360 days on deck of self-propelled vessels
- +90 days as master or mate on vessels 50 GT+
- +90 of those days within the last 3 years
- +Rules of the Road, navigation, stability exams
- +TWIC, physical, drug test
- +First aid & CPR
Master 200 GT
Master of vessels under 200 Gross Tons
Sea service
540days
100+ GT qualifying vessels
What it covers
Bridges the gap between 100 GT and the 500 GT tier. Common for larger passenger ferries, research vessels, and commercial fishing operations.
Requirements
- +540 days on deck of self-propelled vessels
- +Appropriate service as master or mate on 100+ GT vessels
- +90 days within the last 3 years
- +Navigation, Rules of the Road, stability exams
- +TWIC, physical, drug test
Master 500 GT
Master of vessels under 500 Gross Tons
Sea service
720days
100+ GT qualifying vessels
What it covers
Opens the door to serious commercial work — OSVs, larger passenger vessels, research ships, and offshore operations. Most professional commercial mariners target this as their career tier.
Requirements
- +720 days on deck of self-propelled vessels
- +360 days as master or mate on 100+ GT Near Coastal or Oceans vessels
- +90 days within the last 3 years
- +Navigation, Rules of the Road, seamanship exams
- +STCW Basic Safety Training (for ocean endorsement)
- +TWIC, physical, drug test
Master 1600 GT
Master of vessels under 1,600 Gross Tons
Sea service
1080days
200+ GT qualifying vessels
What it covers
Qualifies you to command large commercial vessels — major passenger ferries, larger OSVs, coastal cargo ships. Requires a well-documented professional maritime career.
Requirements
- +1,080+ days on deck, significant portion on large vessels
- +Experience as master or mate on 200+ GT vessels
- +90 days within the last 3 years
- +Full STCW certification package
- +Comprehensive navigation, stability, and safety exams
Master (Unlimited)
Master of any vessel, any ocean
Sea service
1080days
500+ GT qualifying vessels
What it covers
The highest USCG deck officer endorsement. No vessel size limit, any ocean. Requires full STCW certification and a professional career as a deck officer through the mate grades.
Requirements
- +1,080+ days on deck of ocean vessels 500+ GT
- +Significant service as chief mate on qualifying vessels
- +Full STCW certification (including GMDSS, Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch)
- +Comprehensive officer-level examination battery
- +90 days within the last 3 years
Ready to track?
Know exactly where you stand on the path to your next license.
Log your sea service and BinnacleCrew's 46 CFR eligibility calculator tells you exactly how many qualifying days you have, which endorsements you already meet, and what the gap is to the next tier.