California does not issue this credential. The license is federal, evaluated by the USCG National Maritime Center, and examined through a Regional Examination Center or approved course.
Try the California exam — 5 freeTry a sample question — no sign-up
Quick read
Use this page to check OUPV Near-Coastal captain license requirements in California: sea time, offshore route, exam, TWIC, medical, and REC Oakland, CA / Long Beach, CA planning. In California, candidates commonly operate around San Diego, Newport Beach, Marina del Rey. The nearest REC is Oakland, CA / Long Beach, CA.
Credential requirements last verified .
Credential
OUPV Near-Coastal
Nearest REC
Oakland, CA / Long Beach, CA
Route
Near coastal
Use the California overview to choose between OUPV, Master 25, Master 50, and Master 100 before narrowing this credential checklist. Because the credential is federal, the national OUPV six-pack guide carries the full requirement detail — California only changes your nearest REC and local operating context.
Document 360 days of sea service, including qualifying near-coastal/ocean time for the offshore route and 90 qualifying days within the last 7 years.
Complete the CG-719K physical, drug test, TWIC, CPR, and First Aid requirements.
Study Rules of the Road, Deck General, Deck Safety, and Navigation General.
Schedule the exam at REC Oakland, CA / Long Beach, CA, or use an approved school that administers the USCG exam.
California OUPV Near-Coastal candidates need the six-passenger authority plus qualifying offshore or near-coastal service. Use this route when your charters leave protected waters around San Diego, Newport Beach, Marina del Rey and you need the COLREGs exam path.
Under 46 CFR 11.467, an OUPV Near-Coastal applicant needs 12 months (about 360 days) of vessel-operation experience, including at least 3 months (90 days) on ocean or near-coastal waters. Separately, current USCG Policy Letter 02-25 applies a 90-day recency test within the 7 years before application. The endorsement authorizes California six-passenger charters on waters not more than 100 miles offshore, plus the Great Lakes and all inland waters.
Under 46 CFR 11.211 a creditable day is generally 8 hours of watchstanding or day-working. Great Lakes service counts day-for-day; inland-waters service outside the Great Lakes is creditable day-for-day for up to 50% of the total requirement, and towing or ATB/ITB service counts on a two-for-one basis up to 50%.
46 CFR 11.467 only issues the Near-Coastal route when at least 90 of the 360 days were earned on ocean or near-coastal waters. Inland-only days keep you on the Inland OUPV, so log offshore time on the right route to avoid a downgraded endorsement.
California has two RECs (Oakland for NorCal, Long Beach for SoCal). Sport-fish charter operators south of Point Conception typically run OUPV Near-Coastal or Master 100, while bay-only operators stay with OUPV Inland. For exam prep, the federal question set does not change by state, but your likely route matters: inland candidates lean harder on Inland Rules and aids to navigation, while near-coastal candidates need COLREGs, navigation, weather, and chart-work discipline.
Try it free
The written test is the same federal exam nationwide. Answer one citation-backed question right here — no sign-in.
Try a sample question
No sign-up needed.
Passenger-for-hire authority is federal. A state may regulate businesses, fishing guides, or local permits, but the captain credential itself is issued by the USCG.
Start with sea-service letters, the CG-719K medical exam, drug-test compliance, TWIC, CPR/First Aid, and Rules of the Road study. Missing paperwork usually slows the application more than the exam.
Choose Inland for protected or inland waters inside the COLREGs demarcation lines. Choose Near-Coastal when your work requires offshore authority and qualifying ocean or near-coastal sea time.
Last verified .
Lessons and drills cite 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, and Bowditch so your prep matches what the USCG tests. Answer 5 real, cited questions free.