Alabama Captain's License Requirements (2026)

What a “Alabama captain's license” actually means#

It isn't a state license — it's the same federal USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with an OUPV or Master endorsement, used nationwide.

Credential issuer

USCG National Maritime Center.

Nearest exam route

REC New Orleans, LA.

Local route clue

Offshore or coastal charters around Orange Beach usually start with OUPV Near-Coastal, then compare Master 50/100 for inspected boats.

Which Rules of the Road apply on Alabama water#

Alabama's two busiest inlets are drawn in two different sections, and one of them is titled for Florida. Perdido Pass at Orange Beach is 33 CFR 80.810(f) — a line between the seaward ends of the jetties — inside a section headed Cape San Blas, FL to Perdido Bay, FL; Mobile Bay is 80.815(b), Mobile Point Light to Dauphin Island Channel Light 1 to Fort Gaines at Pelican Point. Running out of Orange Beach for the day, the boat is on the Inland Rules in the pass and the International Rules the moment it clears the jetty heads. Mobile Bay and Mississippi Sound behind the barrier islands stay Inland the whole way.

COLREGS Demarcation Lines covering Alabama — 33 CFR Part 80

• 33 CFR 80.810Cape San Blas, FL to Perdido Bay, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.815Mobile Bay, AL to the Chandeleur Islands, LAline drawn — Inland water inside

This decides which rulebook you steer by, not where your credential may operate: the route limit is the 46 CFR Part 7 Boundary Line, and the two lines are not drawn in the same place. How the two lines differ · International Rules · Inland Rules

33 CFR Part 80 and the Part 83 definitions above read from eCFR on 12 Aug 2026. Any specific water is a determination for the cognizant Coast Guard Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.

Which credential do Alabama charter captains need?#

Not sure the trip needs a credential at all? The captain's-license trigger guide.

Credentials charter captains pursue in Alabama

• OUPV Inland (Six-Pack) — operates uninspected <=6-passenger charter boats on inland waters other than the Great Lakes — bays, sounds, inland lakes, and rivers.
• OUPV Near-Coastal (Six-Pack) — extends OUPV to 100 nautical miles offshore — the credential for offshore canyon and bluewater six-pack operators.
• Master 50 GT — mid-tier inspected-vessel master — typical for charter sport-fish operations under 50 gross tons.
• Master 100 GT — full inspected-vessel master up to 100 GT — required for larger charter and tour vessels.