Master 100 Gross Ton USCG Approved License

A Master’s License is a USCG approved license that allows license holders to operate inspected vessels with seven or more paying passengers. The Master's License is available in 25, 50, and 100-ton versions. Eligibility is based on sea service time and vessel size.

An inspected vessel is a vessel built in accordance with USCG Commercial Vessel inspection standards. A Certificate of Inspection (CG-841) is given to a vessel once it has been inspected and approved by the US Coast Guard. This certificate is required for vessels that carry more than six paying passengers and includes details such as: the vessel's equipment, approved route, minimum manning requirements, passenger capacity, owner and operator information, and the certificate's period of validity.

• A certificate of completion of Sea School’s approved course and exam.
  
  • Alternatively, a student could take the exam at a USCG Regional Exam Center (REC). Not all USCG locations provide testing, so students must schedule at an REC. Prep courses like ours are strongly recommended.
• 19 years of age
  
  • Students who are 18 years old may take the class, provided that their 19th birthday falls within one year of completing the course. This is a common question from parents who want to take the class with their children.
• 720 Days of experience on Inland or Near Coastal Waters with 360 of those days being on Near Coastal or Ocean waters
  

1. If NC license:
   
   • 100GT=180 days >51 gt or 360 >
   • 36GT50GT= 180 > 26gt, or 360 > 17gt
   • All others will get 25gt
   ‍
2. If INLAND:
   • 100GT= 90 days > 51GT or 180>34GT
   • 50GT= 90 > 26GT or 180 > 17GT
   • All others get 25GT

• Physical that satisfies the Form CG-719K
  
  • We offer physicals at most of our brick and mortar locations
• Consortium membership / drug test
  
  • Sea School has its own USCG drug consortium, APCA. Interested students can sign up for a drug test/consortium membership at apcadrugtesting.com or by calling (727) 522-2727
• USCG-approved CPR/First Aid certificate that is less than one year old
  
  • We offer classes at all of our brick and mortar locations and it’s encouraged to promote our own courses
    
    • If a student can’t make our class, we usually recommend: Emergency University, American Heart Association, or The Red Cross
  • The course needs to be USCG-approved; many CPR courses aren’t USCG approved. For further questions, consult the USCG website 
    
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• TWIC card (U.S. government security clearance)
• Must have U.S. Citizenship
  
  • While non-U.S. citizens can receive a OUPV license, mariners looking to obtain a Master License MUST BE U.S Citizens.
• Mariner fees must be paid

While the Sea School does our best to keep our website up to date with all USCG standards and regulations, mariners should always check official documentation can be found at Checklist NMC.

Mariners need 720 days of sea time before they are eligible to become a Master Captain. 90 of those 720 days of sea time must also be within the past 3 years.

This information is only correct for a Master Near Coastal license.

All USCG licenses are valid for 5 years.

• Application CG719B
• Copy of current TWIC, or check TWIC box on application if expired
• Copy of valid medical certificate, or submit updated CG719K medical form
• Current drug screen
• Pay mariner fees

Sea Service Requirements (only if MMC is not expired beyond 6 years):

Please note only 1 of the below is required to renew your Master license

• 360 days of service during the past 5 years from date of application
• Pass a comprehensive, open-book exercise
• Complete an approved refresher training course
• Provide evidence of employment as a qualified instructor or in a position closely related to the operation, construction, or repair of vessels (either deck or engineer as appropriate) for at least 3 yrs during the past 5 years from date of application
• Provide evidence of being a qualified instructor who has taught a CG approved course relevant to the endorsement being applied at least twice within past 5 years from date of application.

Submit your Application Packet to the Nearest Regional Exam Center (REC)

The USCG Master’s License is the highest level captain’s license and allows you to operate larger, inspected vessels, such as dinner cruises, ferries, dive boats, and party boats with seven or more passengers.

There are several differences between an OUPV and Master’s license listed below:

• Required Age: For OUPV the minimum age is 18 while the minimum age for Master is 19.
• Citizenship: OUPV can be permanent resident. Master MUST be US citizen.
• Passenger Limit: OUPV (6-Pack) license allows you to take up to 6 passengers for hire on your vessel. Master License allows you to take more than 6 passengers.
• Vessel Type: OUPV is for “uninspected” vessels only. Master License is for inspected and uninspected vessels.
• Area of Operation: OUPV is for U.S. Inland and Near Coastal Waters. Master’s License is for U.S. & International Waters (depending on your endorsement)‍
• Master's License sea time: Master Inland: 360 days total (same as OUPV). Master Near Coastal: 720 overall, at least 360 in near coastal waters.

The 25/50/100-Ton Masters license is reserved for U.S. citizens. Non-eligible individuals can still join the Sea School course to enhance their maritime knowledge and boating skills.

There are three different Master Licenses available: 25-ton, 50-ton, and 100-ton. Each license permits you to operate vessels up to the specified tonnage: 25 tons, 50 tons, and 100 tons, respectively. The Coast Guard determines your license eligibility based on your sea time. See below for general guidelines: 

If NC license:

• 100GT=180 days >51 gt or 360 > 34GT
• 50GT=180 days >26GT, or 360 days > 17GT
• All others will get 25gt

If INLAND:

• 100GT= 90 days > 51GT or 180>34GT
• 50GT= 90 > 26GT or 180 > 17GT
• All others get 25GT

If you meet all the requirements for a Master’s License (MM100) you can apply for both OUPV and a Master/Mate License at the same time, presuming you complete both courses prior.