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The Master / Mate 200GT License Course
It's designed to enhance students' vessel handling, advanced navigation, and safety and stowage skills, while providing an in-depth understanding of maritime regulations and laws. Graduates of this course can apply for a Master 200GRT License, depending on their sea time.
Locations
Jacksonville, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Bayou La Batre, AL
Charleston, SC
Location
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Location
Train from Anywhere with Sea School Courses – Learn at Your Own Pace
Train on your schedule with Sea School’s self-paced online courses. Designed for flexibility and convenience, our online programs allow you to complete key certifications and knowledge-based training from anywhere, at any time.
Call us today to get scheduled for our Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels bundle
Throughout this sixteen (16) day course, mariners will go through trainings for OUPV, Master 100 Ton upgrade, Master 200 Ton upgrade, Inland to Western Rivers and the Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels upgrade.
Upcoming Zoom Trainings
Join our Captain’s License OUPV course from anywhere with our convenient Zoom sessions. Choose the dates that work best for your schedule and start your journey toward earning your license - without ever leaving home.
This Course Has Other Options for Learning
The Right Course for Every Seafarer
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Mariners
Captains
Why Thousands of Mariners Choose Sea School?
Each year, over 7,500 students choose Sea School for their maritime training. We offer 30+ USCG-approved courses across in-person, online, and satellite formats, with training available at 6 locations nationwide. Team training is also available on-site or via satellite to meet company needs.
















We’ve developed comprehensive, engaging, and practical curriculum to set you up for success on the water
While the curriculum represented on the Sea School website is a general layout of course information, it is not the exact order in which lessons are taught.
- Mercator Sailing
- Great Circle Sailing
- Mercator Sailing
- Great Circle Sailing
- Principles, Operation & Maintenance of Magnetic Compass
- Gyro Compass Error/Correction
- Principles, Operation & Maintenance of Magnetic Compass
- Gyro Compass Error/Correction
- Azimuth
- Amplitude
- Azimuth
- Amplitude
- Vessel Structure Members
- Damage Control
- Vessel Structure Members
- Damage Control
- Marine Power Plant Operating Principles
- Marine Engineering Terms
- Marine Power Plant Operating Principles
- Marine Engineering Terms
- Cargo Stowage & Security
- Tank Vessel & Fuel Operations
- Cargo Stowage & Security
- Tank Vessel & Fuel Operations
- Firefighting Equipment & Regulations
- Firefighting Equipment & Regulations
- Emergency Steering
- Emergency Steering
- Rules & Regulations for Inspected Vehicles
- Rules & Regulations for Inspected Vehicles
- Lifesaving Appliance Regulations
- Lifesaving Appliance Operation
- Lifesaving Appliance Regulations
- Lifesaving Appliance Operation

Team Trainings
Sea School provides comprehensive team training solutions designed to meet your organization's unique requirements. Our certified instructors are available for on-site training at your location, or your team can utilize our dedicated training facilities. Please contact us for further details regarding our corporate training opportunities.

Online Trainings
Looking to obtain your next license at your own pace? Sea School offers a selection of immersive online courses designed to provide you with convenient access to our high-quality course material. Explore our online options and contact us with any questions you may have.
A Simple 3-Step Process to Get Certified and Start Your Maritime Career
Choose Your Course
Pick the course that fits your experience level and sea time and select the available format that works for you (in-person, Zoom, or online).
Enroll & Prepare
Register online or at a Sea School location. Ensure you meet eligibility requirements and start reviewing the provided study materials.
Get Certified
After finishing the course, you will need to submit your application to the Coast Guard to receive your Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

Advance your Maritime Career
A Master 200-Ton Captain’s License opens the door to many career opportunities on larger vessels. Many of our graduates pursue careers in the following*:

Charter Boat Captain

Ferry Operator

Water Taxi Driver

Tour Boat Captain

Dinner Cruise Captain
What Our Clients Say
Course Comparison
Master / Mate 200 Ton License Upgrade Requirements: Everything You Need to Get Certified
Education & Testing Requirements
Testing Requirements
- Option to take the exam at a U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Center (REC).
- Not all REC locations offer testing, and candidates are expected to be fully prepared without guided instruction.
Or
- Complete Sea School's USCG Approved Course and our USCG approved exam.
Eligibility Requirements
Master 200 Near Coastal:
- 720 days overall, at least 360 in NC waters
- 90 days recency (within the last 3 years)
- At least 360 days as Master, Mate or OUPV
- At least 180 days > 101GT or 360 days > 67 GT
Master 200 Inland/Great Lakes:
- 360 days overall-Can get GL with 90 days on Glakes.
- 90 days recency (within the last 3 years)
- At least 180 days as Master, Mate or OUPV
- At least 90 days > 101GT or 180 days > 67 GT
MATE 200 Near Coastal:
- 360 days overall, at least 180 in NC waters
- 90 days recency (within the last 3 years)
- At least 90 days > 101GT or 180 days over 67 GT
MATE Inland/Great Lakes:
- 180 days overall
- Can get GL with 90 days on GLakes.
- 90 days recency (within the last 3 years)
- At least 45 days > 101GT or 90 days > 67 GT
One standard operating day is at least 8 hours on vessels 100GT+. For vessels under 100GT, the USCG will accept a minimum of 4 hours.
Medical & Drug Testing Requirements
Medical Examination (Form CG-719K):
- Current medical certificate or updated CG719K medical form
- Required USCG-approved physical
- Available at most Sea School locations
Drug Test & Consortium Membership:
- Required for all applicants
- Sea School provides access to APCA, a USCG-approved drug consortium
- Sign up at apcadrugtesting.com or call (727) 522-2727
Safety & Security Certifications
CPR / First Aid Certification (If applying for original license only):
- Must be USCG-approved and less than one year old
- Offered at Sea School locations.
- Not all CPR courses are USCG-approved - students should verify at the USCG-approved course list.
- Other recommended providers are: Emergency University, American Heart Association and the Red Cross
TWIC Card (Security Clearance):
- Required for U.S. government security clearance.
Citizenship:
- Must be a U.S. citizen to obtain a Master License.
- Non-citizens may be eligible only for an OUPV license.
Application & Licensing Process
- Application will vary if going for ORIGINAL versus RAISE IN GRADE
Fees:
- Must be paid as part of the application process
Documentation & Submission:
- Submit all documentation, including course completion certificate and supporting requirements, to the National Maritime Center
- For current standards and process steps, always refer to the USCG Checklist NMC
All the answers you’ll need before enrolling in the Master/Mate 200 course
A Master / Mate 200-Ton upgrade allows mariners to operate inspected vessels up to 200 tons on Near Coastal or Inland waters. With a Master 200 ton upgrade, mariners can have opportunities to captain larger passenger ferries, charter boats, and some cargo vessels. It is always important to check with the USCG and local maritime authorities to understand exact sea time and vessel requirements.
Completing the Master / Mate 100GT Captain’s License course and passing the exam is one step toward getting a captain’s license.
The course completion certificate must be submitted along with a number of other documents to the National Maritime Center to receive the official Merchant Mariner Credential, or license.
For a complete list of requirements, see below:
General Requirements:
- 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 watersRecency
- 90 days of sea time in the past 3 years on vessels.
- Experience gained in the engine department on vessels of appropriate tonnage may be credible for up to 90 days of the service requirements.100 GRT
- 180 days of service must be on vessels of 51 GRT or above OR 360 days of service on vessels of 34 GRT or above50 GRT
- 180 days of service must be on vessels of 26 GRT or above OR 360 days of service on vessels of 17 GRT or above25 GRT
- 541 days or more for endorsement on vessels 5 GRT or less OR 180 days or more on vessels 6-25 GRT OR 260 days or more on vessels 1-16 GRT.
Physical that satisfies the Form CG-719KWe offer physicals at most of our brick and mortar locationsConsortium membership / drug testSea 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) 522-2727USCG-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 coursesIf a student can’t make our class, we usually recommend:
- Emergency University
- American Heart Association
- The Red Cross
The course needs to be USCG-approved; many CPR courses aren’t USCG approved. For further questions, consult the USCG website https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/courses/courses.pdf?ver=cUVU8wMoukUAjqtcDCToQQ%3d%3d×tamp=1717596524666
TWIC card (U.S. government security clearance)Must have U.S. CitizenshipWhile non-U.S. citizens can receive a limited OUPV license, mariners looking to obtain a Master License.
MUST BE U.S Citizens.Mariner fees must be paidWhile 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 that can be found at Checklist NMC.
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.
No, the Master 200-ton exam must be taken in person. The exam is offered at the end of Sea School’s 3-day course, or at a Regional Testing Center.
It’s Time to Start Your Maritime Career!
Helping thousands of mariners every year, Sea School is a leader in the maritime education space. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to add onto your Merchant Mariner Credential, find the courses right for you at Sea School.
