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State specific boating safety courses, the boatus foundation offers the only free online boating safety course developed specifically for your state..

approved boating safety course

Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency.

Alaska DNR

Free Alaska Office of Boating Safety boating safety course

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Free Arizona Game and Fish Department boating safety course

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways

Free California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways boating safety course

Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Free Colorado Parks and Wildlife boating safety course

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Free Delaware DNR boating safety course

District of Columbia Harbor Patrol

DC, Washington

Free District of Columbia Harbor Patrol boating safety course

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Free Florida Fish and Wildlife boating safety course

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Free Georgia Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Hawaii Division of Boating and Recreation

Free Hawaii Division of Boating and Recreation boating safety course

Idaho State Parks and Recreation

Free Idaho State Parks and Recreation boating safety course

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Free Indiana Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Free Iowa Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Kansas Department of Wildlife

Free Kansas Department of Wildlife boating safety course

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

Free Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife boating safety course

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Free Louisiana Department of Wildlife boating safety course

Maine

Free state specific boating safety course

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Free Maryland Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks

Mississippi

Free Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks boating safety course

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Park

Free Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Park boating safety course

Nevada Department of Wildlife

Free Nevada Department of Wildlife boating safety course

New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department

Free New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department boating safety course

New York State Parks

Free New York State Parks boating safety course

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

North Carolina

Free North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boating safety course

North Dakota Game and Fish Department

North Dakota

Free North Dakota Game and Fish Department boating safety course

Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft

Free Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft boating safety course

Oklahoma Parks and Wildlife Division

Free Oklahoma Parks and Wildlife Division boating safety course

Oregon State Marine Board

Free Oregon State Marine Board boating safety course

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Free Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission boating safety course

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

South Carolina

Free South Carolina Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks

South Dakota

Free South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks boating safety course

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Free Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency boating safety course

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Free Texas Parks & Wildlife Department boating safety course

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Free Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries boating safety course

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Free Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission boating safety course

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

West Virginia

Free West Virginia Division of Natural Resources boating safety course

Wyoming Game & Fish Department

Free Wyoming Game & Fish Department boating safety course

not approved boating safety course

The following state courses are NOT Approved to satisfy your states mandatory education requirements.

The courses below can be used as a refresher or study guide for an in person class or proctored exam. They can also qualify you for a premium discount on your BoatUS insurance policy.

Alabama

Connecticut

Illinois

Massachusetts

Michigan

New Hampshire

New Jersey

Rhode Island

Utah

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Infographic: How Do I Get My USCG Captain’s License?

February 20, 2024 1 Comment

You can get a USCG captain’s license through Mariners Learning System by taking our U.S. Coast Guard-approved course and then completing your Coast Guard boating exam online. Our courses are structured for those pursuing a professional career in commercial boating operations and for recreational boaters looking to increase their knowledge.

↓ Download the Infographic ↓

Infographic: How Do I Get My Captain’s License?

More Information About Taking Your USCG Certification Exam

1 do i need to go to a coast guard regional exam center for the captain’s exam .

No, if you use the Mariners Learning System suite of Coast Guard-approved courses, you can take your U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License exam online instead. Upon completion of your course, taking our proctored boating exam, and meeting other requirements, such as documenting your boating experience and passing a physical, you have one year to submit the MLS certificate of completion and your application package by mail to the nearest Coast Guard Regional Exam Center. Upon the Coast Guard's review and approval, you will be issued your boat captain's license.

2 HOW MUCH DOES A USCG CAPTAIN’S LICENSE COURSE COST?

The most popular captain's license course we offer is the OUPV/Six-Pack Captain’s License - Online Course and Exam . For those looking to obtain the higher level license, check out the 25/50 or 100-Ton Master Captain’s License - Online Course and Exam . There are two endorsements that can be added to a captain's license. The Assistance Towing Endorsement can be attached to either the OUPV or Master's captain's license. The  Auxiliary Sailing Endorsement can only be attached to a Master's license. 

Mariners Learning System represents a turnkey solution for meeting the USCG's written requirements for obtaining a captain's license. On average, including the cost of our course, once a student meets all other requirements, they say their license costs around $1,000 - $1,400. 

NEXT STEPS FOR OBTAINING A USCG CAPTAIN'S LICENSE

Need more information before committing to pursuing a captain's license? We have you covered; navigate through these resources to learn more: 

  • Watch this video:  Which USCG Captain’s License Should You Choose?
  • Check out this guide:  Why Become a U SCG Licensed Captain
  • Find the right course for you on your timeline, not ours

Steve Baglini

Steve Baglini

October 09, 2024

Please provide steps for training to receive my Captain license. Thank you

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  1. AXOPAR OWNER’S MANUALS

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  2. Decoding Compliance: Coast Guard Boat Certification

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  4. Coast Guard Certificates Archives

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  6. Where do I find the USCG Documentation number?

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VIDEO

  1. Coast Guard Respnse Boat Medium Overview

COMMENTS

  1. Boating Safety Courses

    Offers online boating safety courses with online certification tests for a number of states. ... United States Power Squadron ... The U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division (CG-BSX-2) is dedicated to reducing loss of life, injuries, and property damage that occur on U.S. waterways by improving the knowledge, skills, and abilities of ...

  2. National Vessel Documentation Center

    United States Coast Guard U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard ... Office of Boat Forces (CG-731) Office of Shore Forces (CG-741) Office of Cutter Forces (CG-751) ... The NVDC is aware there are commercial entities that offer to manage the certification/renewal process on behalf of vessel owners for a fee. The Coast ...

  3. Inspections and Surveys for Certification

    United States Coast Guard U.S. Department of Homeland Security. United States Coast Guard ... Office of Boat Forces (CG-731) Office of Shore Forces (CG-741) Office of Cutter Forces (CG-751) ... Schedule Inspection for Initial Certification with cognizant OCMI at least 3 months (90 days) before inspection for certification. ...

  4. Welcome to the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Official Web portal

    U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary boating courses provide instruction to boaters at all levels, from the fundamental to the advanced. Our courses (virtual and classroom) are taught by experienced and knowledgeable CGAUX instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

  5. National Vessel Documentation Center

    US Citizens & Interagency. Interagency Partnership U.S. Coast Guard Members Subject Matter Expert Points of Contact Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P) Traveling Inspector Staff (CG-5P-TI) Towing Vessel National Center of Expertise. Coast Guard Towing Vessel Contacts Training

  6. United States Coast Guard

    You can check for documented and alleged defects for all boats manufactured in or imported into the United States . The Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard's Boating Safety Division . The U.S. Coast Guards Boating Safety Division (CG-BSX-2) is dedicated to reducing loss of life, injuries and property damage that occurs on U.S. Waterways by ...

  7. PDF A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats

    • Know your boat's load capacity and designated passenger locations. • Take action to avoid a collision. Know and follow the "Rules of the Road" (Navigation Rules). Know and obey federal and state regulations and waterway markers. • Make sure that everyone on board is always wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD while on the water.

  8. State Specific Boating Safety Courses

    The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state. Choose Your State Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency.

  9. How Do I Get a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain's License?

    More Information About Taking Your USCG Certification Exam 1 DO I NEED TO GO TO A COAST GUARD REGIONAL EXAM CENTER FOR THE CAPTAIN'S EXAM? No, if you use the Mariners Learning System suite of Coast Guard-approved courses, you can take your U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License exam online instead. Upon completion of your course, taking our proctored boating exam, and meeting other requirements ...

  10. PDF Coast Guard Boat Crew Training Manual

    Coast Guard Boat Crew Training Manual Chapter 1: Introduction Overview Introduction This chapter provides the basic guidelines for implementing the Coast Guard Boat Crew Training Program. It gives a basic overview of the training program itself, as well as a general outline to the certification process.