Coast Guard Approved OUPV (6-Pack) Captain’s License Course
For many mariners, the OUPV License, often called the “6-Pack”, is the first step toward a professional career on the water. This credential allows you to legally carry paying passengers and turn your boating experience into new opportunities. Whether your goal is running fishing charters, sightseeing tours, or private excursions, earning an OUPV License gives you the foundation to operate with confidence and credibility. It’s the license that transforms time on the water into a recognized professional skill.
Earn Your Coast Guard Approved OUPV Captain’s License
The Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) License, also known as the “6-Pack License,” is one of the most recognized credentials for aspiring captains. This license authorizes the holder to carry up to six passengers for hire on an uninspected vessel, making it the ideal starting point for those looking to build a professional career on the water. There are two classifications of the OUPV license: the Inland License, which permits operation on rivers, lakes, and other inland waters, and the Near Coastal License, which extends operating authority up to 100 nautical miles offshore in addition to inland waters.
Our Coast Guard Approved OUPV (6-Pack) Course provides the training and preparation needed to earn this certification and gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed.
Class Eligibility Requirements
Minimum Age
- Must be 18 years old.
- 17-year-olds may take the class if they turn 18 within one year of course completion.
Boating Experience (Sea Time):
- Required: 360 days of boating experience with 90 days recency – from 16th birthday to present.
- 1 Day Defined: 4 consecutive hours underway in a 24-hour period – This statement is true IF the vessel is under 100GT. Once a vessel is 100GT or over, a day is considered at least 8 hours.
- Near Coastal: Time past or seaward of the boundary line.
- Inland: Time inside or shoreward of the boundary line.
- Grace Period: Students without 360 days have one year from class completion to log their time.
Drug Testing and Medical Requirements
Medical
- A USCG-approved physical is required.
- Physical must be documented and completed on Form CG-719K
- Contact us to set an appointment
Drug Test :
- Required for licensing.
- Call our office to schedule your test. Convenient locations near you.
Safety & Security Certifications
CPR / First Aid Certification:
- Certificate must be submitted within one year of issuance.
- Certification Age: Must be less than one year old.
- USCG Approval: Certification must be accepted by USCG.
- You can take the CPR/First Aid Training at all our locations
- *If you choose to go with alternate providers, please contact them to confirm the CPR/First Aid course you wish to take is USCG-approved
TWIC Card (Security Clearance):
- Required for U.S. government security clearance.
Application & Licensing Process
Once exams are complete, students will be issued an OUPV course completion certificate, at which point they will have one year to complete the following:
- Complete sea time requirements
- Fulfill all required steps to complete your application
- Submit application to the U.S. Coast Guard
- See our Resource page for help with paperwork submission.
Course Curriculum
Rules Of The Road
- International – Inland
- Application
- Definitions, Lights, Shapes
- In-sight
- Restricted visibility
- Attention and Distress
- Annexes
Navigation General
- Interpreting Publications (Light List, US Coast Pilot, etc.)
- Aids to Navigation
- GPS – Global Positioning System
- Communication Regulations
- Weather
- Tides & Current
- Understanding Nautical Charts
Deck General
- Pollution Prevention
- Temporary Repairs
- Lifesaving & Survival Equipment
- Marlinspike
- Ship Handling
- Classes of Fire & Basic Firefighting / Prevention
- Rules & Regulations for Uninspected Passenger Vessels
Chart Plotting & Navigation
- Understanding a Chart
- Determining True (T°) and Compass (C°) course
- Set and Drift
- Current and Leeway
- Tide Tables
- Speed Made Good / Course Made Good
- TVMDC
- Cross Bearings / Compass & Radar
- Plotting exercises