USCG First Aid & CPR Requirementsfor OUPV and Master Captain's Licenses

Yes. A valid first aid certificate and a valid CPR certificate are both required for OUPV (6-pack) and Master captain's license applications submitted to the National Maritime Center (NMC). The cards must be current at the time the application is submitted. Most first aid and CPR certifications are valid for 2 years. The USCG accepts cards from nationally recognized organizations including the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council (NSC), American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), and similar accredited programs. Online-only courses without a hands-on practical component are generally not accepted.

The NMC accepts first aid certifications from nationally recognized organizations whose curricula meet or exceed OSHA and ANSI first aid standards. Accepted issuers include the American Red Cross (Standard First Aid, Wilderness First Aid), American Heart Association (Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED), National Safety Council (First Aid, CPR, AED), American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), Medic First Aid International, and similar accredited programs. The course must include a hands-on practical skills evaluation — an online-only certificate is not sufficient. When in doubt, contact the NMC at 1-888-427-5662 before taking a course.

Most first aid and CPR certifications issued by major organizations are valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. For initial captain's license applications, the card must be current on the date the NMC receives your application package. For license renewal (required every 5 years), your first aid and CPR cards must also be current. This means during a 5-year license period you will need to renew your first aid and CPR certifications at least once — and often twice — before your next license renewal. Keep copies of all cards in your credential file.

Submit a copy of your current first aid certificate and current CPR certificate with your NMC application package. The copies should clearly show your name, the issuing organization, the course title, the issue date, and the expiration date. The NMC does not require original cards — legible photocopies or scanned PDF copies are acceptable. If your first aid and CPR are combined on one card (such as the AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED), a single copy covers both requirements. File your cards in the CG-719B application or the appropriate renewal form as supporting documentation.

Yes. Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certifications issued by recognized organizations generally satisfy and exceed the USCG first aid requirement. These advanced certifications are issued by organizations such as NOLS Wilderness Medicine, Wilderness Medical Associates, SOLO Schools, and NAEMT. For captains operating in remote or offshore environments, an advanced certification is strongly recommended because standard first aid training is designed for scenarios where EMS arrives within minutes — a luxury you do not have at sea.

Domestic captain's licenses (OUPV and Master under 200 GRT on near coastal or inland routes) require first aid and CPR certification from a recognized civilian organization such as the Red Cross or AHA. STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) — required for officers serving on internationally trading vessels and certain larger vessels — includes a separate Personal Survival Techniques (PST) module and an Elementary First Aid (EFA) module that covers more content than standard civilian first aid. If you hold STCW BST with EFA completion, that satisfies and exceeds the domestic first aid requirement. For most 6-pack and charter boat captains, civilian first aid and CPR cards are all that is needed.

The USCG OUPV and Master exams typically include 1 to 4 first aid and medical emergency questions in the Deck General and Safety module. Common topics include: the correct priority sequence for emergency response (scene safety, call for help, CAB: compressions, airway, breathing), signs and treatment of shock, stages of hypothermia and field rewarming, near-drowning response and why rescue breaths matter, heat exhaustion vs heat stroke, and when to continue or stop CPR. The exam tests judgment and recognition rather than memorized numerical ratios. Study the USCG question bank in the Deck General and Safety section to see the exact question types.

If your first aid or CPR card is expired, you must complete a new in-person first aid or CPR course before submitting your NMC renewal application. There is no grace period — the NMC requires current cards on the date of application. Most community colleges, fire departments, hospitals, dive shops, and marinas offer regular American Red Cross or American Heart Association first aid and CPR courses. Online renewal courses that include a hands-on skills session with an instructor (blended learning format) are also accepted by major organizations and the NMC. Plan your renewal so your new card is issued before your application submission date.

46 CFR Part 160 and the USCG publication CG-462 outline medicine chest requirements for inspected vessels. Requirements vary by vessel class, route, and number of persons carried. Uninspected passenger vessels (6-pack charter boats) are not required to carry a prescribed medicine chest but must have adequate first aid supplies. Inspected passenger vessels carrying more than 6 passengers typically must carry a first aid kit meeting USCG specifications. Vessels on international voyages or STCW-regulated routes have more extensive requirements including specific medications, oxygen, and AED. Contact your USCG Marine Safety Office for the specific requirements for your vessel class and route.