Deck License Renewal - FAQs

When do I have to renew my credential(s)?
All U.S. OUPV/Six-Pack/25-50 or100 licenses are valid for service for five years from the issue date and no longer. You renew your credential(s) up to 12 months prior to expiration.

What if I have more than one credential to renew?
You may renew all credentials at the same time as long as at least one of the credentials is within 12 months of expiring. In such situations, you are encouraged to renew all credentials together to get them in sync.

What is the grace period?
You may renew your credential during the Period of Grace (no more than 12 months beyond the five-year expiration date), but you can NOT operate under the authority of your credential during this Grace Period. Once your credential has expired, it is no longer valid and you can not work on it.

What if my credential has expired beyond the grace period?
If your credential has expired beyond the grace period, then you will have to meet the full requirements of the original credential, except recency of service. This also means you will have to take the full examination if required for the credential or attend a course approved by the CG specifically for this purpose.

What is a Continuity Renewal?
This option allows you to renew your credential without meeting any of the renewal requirements, except for completing an application and paying the user fees. If you choose to renew a credential for continuity purposes only, then you can NOT work under the authority of that credential. If your credential has expired beyond the one year grace period, then you are ineligible for the continuity renewal option.

When would renewal of my credential(s) not be granted?
Your credential will not be renewed if it has been revoked or surrendered without probation. In addition, your credential will not be renewed if facts come to the attention of the Coast Guard that would render a renewal improper or you do not meet all of the requirements for renewal.

Where can I renew my credential(s)?
You may apply for renewal at any of the 17 Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECÕs). You must satisfy requirements for renewal including the completion of an application form and payment of user fees.

Can I renew my credential by mail?
You may renew by mail by submitting all of the required paperwork and fees to one of the RECÕs. Please ensure that all supporting paperwork is original documents or certified copies (certified by the agency that issued the original credential.) However, you will have to appear at an REC for ID verification and fingerprinting.

What are the requirements to renew my license?
This chart lists the professional requirements for renewal. In some cases, there is more than one way to meet the requirements.

General - FAQs

Will I Have to Take a Coast Guard Exam?
NO. If you test with the USCG, they literally have thousands of questions in their data base from which to draw a test. Mariners School uses a few hundred questions from their data base. All questions are provided in the student workbook and study guide. All topic areas are fully covered to ensure a complete understanding of the relevant material.

How Do I Get My License?
Upon successful completion any of the Mariners Learning System™ Coast Guard approved online courses, you take a proctored exam (no additional fee) at one of our 200+ approved testing sites located throughout the country. Once you have passed our multiple-choice exam, a certificate of completion that is recognized by the United States Coast Guard will be issued in lieu of taking their exam. You do not test at the Coast Guard Regional Exam Center.

Is there a retest policy?
Yes. The test is given in four sections. If you do not meet the minimum score requirements on any section, you only need to retest the section(s) where your score was below the minimum. You can retest after a review of the material on which you were lacking the necessary knowledge. Is there a guarantee that a student will pass the course? No. However, Mariners School instructors are all trained professionals who work closely with every student.

Is there anything I have to do besides taking the Mariners School USCG-approved course to receive my license?
Yes. There are several USCG requirements. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Application Form: Complete the required sections for an original license. Three character references must be included. The application, once received by the USCG, is valid for one year.

Physical Exam Form: This form must be completed in full. An incomplete form will delay your application. Failure to meet vision, hearing or general physical condition requirements does not automatically disqualify an applicant.

Drug Test: All applicants must be certified "drug free" (marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines) by having passed a DOT drug test or submitting a letter that the applicant is currently enrolled in a USCG random drug testing program.

Sea Service Form: Applicants must tabulate their experience operating vessels on the Sea Service Form. If necessary, use added copies to account for service on more than four vessels. One day of service consists of a minimum of four hours underway, not dockside. You may only claim one day in a 24-hour period.

Documentation of Sea Service: If sea time is documented on your own vessel, use state registration, documentation certificate, bill of sale or insurance papers. Service on vessels other than your own must be supported by the vessel owner filling out a Sea Service Form.

Proof of Age and Citizenship: Must be verified by one of the following:

• Birth certificate (original only)
• Passport (original only)
• Certificate of Naturalization (original only)
• Proper documentation for name change
• Proof of Social Security Number

CPR/First Aid Card(s): A certificate from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association courses. First Aid: Less than one year old. CPR: Currently valid, but no more than two years old.

System Requirements - FAQs

What are the recommended minimum system specifications for a Windows system?

• Operating System: Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP or Windows Vista 32 bit and Vista 64 bit
• Web-browsers: FireFox (Free)
• Flash, Media Player, and Quicktime plug-ins for multimedia features
• At least a 550MHz Intel Pentium™ processor or equivalent
• At least 25 MB free disk space
• A high-speed Internet connection with minimum 40 kbps speed
• Block-up blocker disabled
• Java, and Javascript enabled

What are the recommended minimum system specifications for a Mac system?

• An Intel or PowerPC processor
• At least 750 MB RAM (with virtual memory enabled)
• 2000 MB Hard Disk Drive with at least 500 MB available for use
• The ability to display 8-bit graphics at 800x600 resolution
• Operating System: OS/X
• Web-browsers: FireFox (Free)