How to Get Your Captain's License (OUPV / Six-Pack)
Updated March 2026. Everything you need to know — requirements, costs, timeline, forms, and the exam itself.
1. What Is an OUPV License?
The OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) license — commonly called a "six-pack" license — is a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) that allows you to carry up to 6 paying passengers on uninspected vessels. It's the entry-level commercial captain's license.
With an OUPV license, you can legally operate fishing charters, dive boats, sailing tours, water taxis, and other small commercial vessels. The license is valid for 5 years and is recognized nationwide.
Key Facts
- • Allows up to 6 passengers for hire
- • Valid for 5 years (renewable)
- • Can be issued for Inland, Near Coastal, or Great Lakes routes
- • Does NOT require an approved course (you can self-study and test at a REC)
- • Issued by the USCG National Maritime Center (NMC)
2. Requirements
Age
Must be at least 18 years old.
Citizenship
U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or foreign national with valid work authorization.
Sea Time
360 days of sea service, with 90 days in the last 3 years. At least 90 days must be on ocean or near-coastal waters (for near-coastal endorsement). Recreational boating time counts if properly documented on CG-719S forms signed by vessel owners or operators.
Physical Exam
Must pass a USCG-approved physical exam (form CG-719K), completed by a licensed physician. Valid for 12 months from the date of the exam. Includes vision and hearing tests.
Drug Test
Pre-employment drug screening (form CG-719P). Must be conducted by a SAMHSA-certified lab within 185 days of your application submission.
First Aid & CPR
Valid first aid and CPR certification. American Red Cross and American Heart Association courses are both accepted. Must be current at the time of application.
TWIC Card
Transportation Worker Identification Credential. Apply at a TSA enrollment center — processing takes 30-60 days. Cost: $125.25. Start this early; it takes the longest.
Background Check
The NMC conducts a background investigation as part of your application. Certain criminal convictions may disqualify you — check 46 CFR 10.211 for details.
3. Step-by-Step Process
Many of these steps can happen in parallel. Start your TWIC application and sea time documentation early — they take the longest.
Apply for TWIC (do this first)
30-60 daysVisit a TSA enrollment center, get fingerprinted, and submit your application. Takes 30-60 days to process. You can do everything else while you wait.
Document your sea time
VariesComplete CG-719S forms for each vessel you've operated. Have the vessel owner or another licensed operator sign each form. You need 360 total days with 90 in the last 3 years.
Get First Aid & CPR certified
1 dayTake a Red Cross or AHA First Aid/CPR course. Many are available as 1-day in-person classes. Keep the certificate — you'll submit a copy.
Study for the exam
4-8 weeksThe exam has 4 sections: Rules of the Road (50q, 90%, closed book), Deck Safety (50q, 70%, open book), Navigation (50q, 70%, open book), and Chart Plotting (10q, 90%, open book). Plan 4-8 weeks of focused study.
Take the exam
1-2 daysEither complete a USCG-approved course (which includes the exam) or schedule directly at a Regional Exam Center (REC). The REC path is cheaper but you must pass all 4 sections on their schedule.
Get your physical exam
1 daySchedule with any licensed physician. They complete CG-719K. Valid for 12 months from the exam date, so time this after you pass the written exam.
Get your drug test
1 dayMust be done at a SAMHSA-certified lab using form CG-719P. Valid for 185 days from the test date. Like the physical, time this after passing the written exam.
Submit your application
1 dayComplete CG-719B (Application for MMC). Pay fees on Pay.gov ($240 total: $45 evaluation + $95 exam + $100 issuance). Email everything to MMCApplications@uscg.mil.
Wait for NMC processing
60-90 daysThe National Maritime Center reviews your application, verifies sea time, and conducts background checks. Current processing time is 60-90 days. You can check status on the NMC website.
4. The Exam (4 Sections)
The USCG OUPV exam has 160 total questions across 4 sections. You must pass each section independently. Two sections require 90% to pass, making them the most common failure points.
| Section | Questions | Passing | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rules of the Road | 50 | 90% | Closed book |
| Deck General / Safety | 50 | 70% | Open book |
| Navigation General | 50 | 70% | Open book |
| Chart Plotting | 10 | 90% | Open book (hands-on) |
5. Total Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| USCG Evaluation Fee | $45 |
| USCG Exam Fee | $95 |
| USCG Issuance Fee | $100 |
| TWIC Card | $125 |
| Physical Exam (CG-719K) | $75-200 |
| Drug Test (CG-719P) | $50-100 |
| First Aid/CPR Course | $50-150 |
| Study Materials | $0-150 |
| Total (Self-Study Path) | $540-965 |
Add $485-$1,600 if you take an approved course instead of the REC exam.
6. Timeline
Total: approximately 4-6 months from start to receiving your credential.
7. What If You Fail a Section?
You only need to retake the section(s) you failed — not the entire exam. Here's how retakes work at a REC:
- • You can retake a failed section up to 3 times within 3 months of the original exam date.
- • After 3 failures on the same section, you must wait 45 days before retesting — and you retake the entire exam, not just the failed section.
- • Only failed sections need retesting. If you passed 3 out of 4, you only retest the one you missed.
Study Tip
Don't rush to the exam. The passing scores for Rules of the Road and Chart Plotting are 90% — that's 45/50 and 9/10 respectively. Use a study tool that tracks your readiness score and only sit for the exam when you're consistently scoring above the threshold.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take an approved course?+
No. You can self-study and take the exam directly at a USCG Regional Exam Center (REC). An approved course is one alternative path — it includes the exam as part of the course. Many successful candidates self-study and go straight to the REC.
Does recreational boating time count toward sea time?+
Yes. Time spent operating recreational vessels counts if properly documented on CG-719S forms. You need the vessel owner (or another licensed operator who witnessed your time) to sign each form. Keep a log — it's much easier to document as you go than to reconstruct years later.
How hard is the exam?+
The overall pass rate is decent, but Rules of the Road and Chart Plotting trip up a lot of candidates because they require 90%. Rules of the Road is closed book — you need to have the rules memorized. Chart Plotting is only 10 questions, so missing even 2 means failure. Focused study with practice tests is essential.
What's the difference between OUPV and Master license?+
OUPV allows up to 6 passengers on uninspected vessels. A Master license allows more passengers on inspected vessels and requires more sea time. Many captains start with OUPV and upgrade later.
Can I get my license online?+
You can study online and take an approved course online, but the exam itself must be taken in person — either at a REC or through a proctored approved course. The physical exam, drug test, and TWIC enrollment are also in-person.
How do I renew my license?+
MMC credentials are valid for 5 years. Renewal requires a new physical exam, updated drug test, and 360 days of sea service (or completion of a refresher course). Apply for renewal 6-12 months before expiration.
Ready to Start Studying?
NailTheTest has 1,628+ practice questions, 866 flashcards, 398 structured lessons, and an AI-powered learning engine that tells you when you're ready to pass. OUPV ($497), Master 100 GRT ($697), Sailing ($197), Towing ($197), and Captain's Complete ($797).