License Requirements

To renew your OUPV/Master Deck License you must be able to show 360 days (one year) of sea service during the past five years. This must be verified by completing the Small Vessel Sea Service Form or by providing a letter from a vessel owner/company verifying your sea service. Many Boat Captain's find themselves nearing renewal but for various reasons cannot meet the Coast Guards one year service requirement.

An alternative to meeting the one year sea service requirement is to take the Mariners Learning System™ Deck License Renewal Course. Upon completion of the MLS online course, you take our final Proctored Exam after which a Certificate of Completion will be issued. The U.S. Coast Guard will accept this certificate in lieu of meeting the time requirement.

Additional Requirements include:

• Complete the USCG License Renewal Application (Form CG-719K)
• Have a current Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC Card)
• Pass a Physical Examination and a Drug Test. If you currently enrolled in a DOT approved random drug testing program you will not be required to take a new drug test for license renewal.
• You DO NOT need First Aid & CPR cards to renew your license.

Overview

This course is for the licensed Boat Captain who does not have the required 360 days of sea service in the last 5 years to renew their license.

Mariners Learning System™ has developed an intuitive learning approach that's direct, clear, and effective. By providing a methodical, well-organized program of professionally produced, on-demand lectures, videos, and companion materials, our students are able to absorb and retain what they have learned.

Course Subjects Include:

• Navigational Rules of the Road
• Deck Safety
• Deck General

Authorization

This course covers Deck License Renewal for OUPV and Masters of not more than 100-Ton for operation in the Great Lakes, Inland and Near Coastal waters. Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate that will be accepted in lieu of the standard Coast Guard examination!

License Operating Area

Based on the geographical area of your original sea service experience, this license can be renewed for "Great Lakes" waters, "Inland" waters or "Near Coastal" waters.

Sea Service

By completing this course a licensed mariner is not required to meet the Coast Guard 360 day sea service requirement necessary to renew their license.

Instructors

Included with each Mariners Learning System™ course is 24/7 access to our online instructors. Each instructor is a USCG Licensed Master that has gone through a rigorous approval process meeting the standards of the United States Coast Guard to become a certified instructor. They bring a level of knowledge, experience, and professionalism that adds to the total learning process. In the rare event than an online instructor cannot answer your question, toll free telephone support with one of our Staff Instructors will be provided.

Testing

Once the student completes the course quizzes and online Module Exam they make an appointment to take their final proctored exam with Mariners Learning System™. No testing at the Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers. The grading standards are:

The student must pass all modules to receive a certification of completion. If a student fails one or more modules, he or she may retest twice more without delay on the failed modules. Those who do not pass an exam module after three attempts must wait a period of 45 days to retest. The student will be required to complete the entire course prior to being allowed another three attempts at each module. In this case the student must retest and pass all four Exam Modules.

Materials

Course Materials

Mariners Learning System™ includes one complete set of the following training materials to each student:

Mariners Learning System™ – One year's access to our Internet based narrated lecture and interactive learning system. This program is based on the Mariners Learning System™ Coast Guard approved class room course. More than 15,000 students have earned their Captains License by participating in this program.

Mariners Learning System™ – Textbook: Rules of the Road.

Lesson Plan

Module I - Navigation Rules of the Road

• Part A – General
• Section I – Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
• Section II – Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
• Section III – Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
• Part C – Lights and Shapes
• Part D – Sound and Light Signals
• Differences between International and U.S. Inland Rules of the Road

Module II - Deck Safety

• Fire Fighting
• Marine Engine Operations
• Marine Radiotelephone
• Lifesaving Equipment
• Pollution Prevention

Module III - Deck General

• Basic Seamanship
• Characteristics of Weather systems
• Ship Handling
• Emergency Procedures
• Maritime Law

Test Sites

Click the map below to view our testing locations by state, date and time.

We currently offer testing in the states that are dark blue.

What You Need to Know About Testing...

Mariners Learning System™ has Coast Guard approved testing facilities located throughout the country. Each student wishing to complete one of Mariners Learning System™ Coast Guard approved courses is required to pass a proctored exam to receive a Certificate of Completion. This Certificate of Completion will be accepted by the Coast Guard in lieu of taking one of their exams for licensing purposes. If a student fails one or more modules, he or she may test twice without delay of the failed modules. Those who do not pass an exam module after three attempts must wait a period of 45 days to retest. The student will be required to complete the entire course prior to being allowed another three attempts at each module. In this case the student must retest and pass all exam modules.

To sit for a proctored exam you are required to have a confirmed date and seat in the Mariners Learning System™ proctored exam room. Without this electronic confirmation you will not be permitted to test.

Testing dates/locations close 14 calendar days before the scheduled test date, therefore you must register more than 14 calendar days before the scheduled test date.

Students testing for the first time and also retest students must register via the online registration. Only students who are currently enrolled in a Mariners Learning System™ Course are permitted to register to take a Proctored Exam.

When you arrive to take the proctored exam you will be required to provide the proctor with a copy of the electronic proctored exam enrollment form, a legible copy of your Coast Guard recognized photo identification, and your online final exam completion letter(s). These copies will be retained for our records per USCG requirements. The list of acceptable forms of photo identification includes:

• U.S. Military identification card
• U.S. drivers license
• U.S. Passport
• Official identification card issued by a State, or local government.
• Official identification card issued by the Federal Government.
• Law enforcement credential, with photograph of the applicant, issued by Federal, State or local government
• Merchant Marine Document issued after February 3, 2003
• Foreign Passport

In addition you will also be required to supply a copy of the Final Online Exam Completion letters.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is your responsibility to provide legible copies of both your identification and Final Exam completion letters. The proctor will not allow you to test unless these documents are provided. If you arrive to the testing facility without any of these required documents you will not be permitted to take the scheduled exam. No exceptions per Coast Guard policy. No other forms of identification will be accepted.

Mariners Learning System™ Proctored Testing Cancellation Policy

Registered students who are unable to attend their scheduled proctored exam are required to cancel their appointment for testing in writing at least 14 calendar days before the scheduled test date.

Cancellation for testing must sent to the Mariners Learning System™ staff in writing via email to Testing@MarinersLearningSystem.com and the student must receive written confirmation from Mariners Learning System™ staff in order for the cancellation to be valid.

If a student does not notify Mariners Learning System™ via email of their intention to change their confirmed proctored exam date at least 14 calendar days prior to the test date or if a student does not attend the registered test date, a $95.00 fee will be assessed the next time the student registers to take a proctored exam.

If a student does not follow the testing policy once again at a future test date, the student will be charged another fee of $95.00 when they reschedule.

As long as this policy is followed there is NO additional charge for changing a confirmed proctored test date.

Any student who has questions regarding this policy is directed to contact our corporate office for clarification at Support@MarinersLearningSystem.com