Florida Captain's License Requirements (2026)

What a “Florida 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 Miami, FL.

Local route clue

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

Which Rules of the Road apply on Florida water#

Florida is covered by more Part 80 sections than any other state — fifteen, wrapping the peninsula from the Georgia line to Perdido Bay — and it is the only state where the two kinds of section alternate along one coast. Around the Ten Thousand Islands (33 CFR 80.745(b)) and up the Big Bend from the Anclote through the Suncoast Keys and Horseshoe Point to Rock Island (80.755, 80.757, 80.760), the default inverts: the 72 COLREGS apply on the bays, bayous, creeks, marinas and rivers EXCEPT inside the few lines each section names, which are single daybeacon-to-daybeacon lines across the Chassahowitzka, Crystal, Withlacoochee, Steinhatchee and Fenholloway river mouths. So a shallow backcountry trip out of that coast is on the International Rules almost everywhere, with inland water only in the river entrances. Miami Harbor (80.730), Tampa Bay via 80.753, and the Keys via 80.735 and 80.740 are the ordinary arrangement, with inland water behind the line. A Florida candidate cannot answer "which rulebook?" from the region — only from the specific water.

COLREGS Demarcation Lines covering Florida — 33 CFR Part 80

• 33 CFR 80.720St. Simons Island, GA to Amelia Island, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.723Amelia Island, FL to Cape Canaveral, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.727Cape Canaveral, FL to Miami Beach, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.730Miami Harbor, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.735Miami, FL to Long Key, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.740Long Key, FL to Cape Sable, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.745Cape Sable, FL to Cape Romano, FL72 COLREGS apply except inside the lines it draws
• 33 CFR 80.748Cape Romano, FL to Sanibel Island, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.750Sanibel Island, FL to St. Petersburg, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.753St. Petersburg, FL to the Anclote, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.755Anclote, FL to the Suncoast Keys, FL72 COLREGS apply except inside the lines it draws
• 33 CFR 80.757Suncoast Keys, FL to Horseshoe Point, FL72 COLREGS apply except inside the lines it draws
• 33 CFR 80.760Horseshoe Point, FL to Rock Island, FL72 COLREGS apply except inside the lines it draws
• 33 CFR 80.805Rock Island, FL to Cape San Blas, FLline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.810Cape San Blas, FL to Perdido Bay, FLline drawn — Inland water inside

Both kinds of section appear above, so "Florida" is not by itself an answer — the water is. 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 Florida charter captains need?#

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

Credentials charter captains pursue in Florida

• 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.