Massachusetts 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.
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Use this page to check 100 ton captain license requirements in Massachusetts: Master-level sea time, tonnage evidence, exam modules, TWIC, medical, and REC Boston, MA planning. In Massachusetts, candidates commonly operate around Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket. The nearest REC is Boston, MA.
Credential requirements last verified .
Credential
Master 100 GT
Nearest REC
Boston, MA
Route
Inspected vessels
Use the Massachusetts overview to choose between OUPV, Master 25, Master 50, and Master 100 before narrowing this credential checklist.
See all Massachusetts captain's license requirementsDocument Master-level sea service, commonly 720 days with tonnage and route details supporting the requested authority.
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. Master candidates also need Plotting and the broader General module.
Schedule the exam at REC Boston, MA, or use an approved school that administers the USCG exam.
Massachusetts candidates targeting Master 100 GT should separate two questions before applying: whether they have enough Master-level sea time, and whether enough of that service was on vessels large enough to justify the 100 GT tonnage limit. That distinction matters for operators working around Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, where the business goal is often a larger inspected passenger vessel rather than a six-passenger OUPV boat.
A Massachusetts Master 100 GT application has to clear the Master less-than-100 route baseline and then show enough qualifying service on larger vessels for the 100 GRT limit. The NMC can still issue 50 or 25 GRT if the sea time is valid but the vessel tonnage is smaller.
Great Lakes/Inland uses a 360-day baseline, while Near-Coastal uses 720 deck-department days on ocean, near-coastal, or Great Lakes waters, with up to 360 inland-water days allowed as substitute service.
The current NMC checklists show 100 GRT supported by service on 34+ or 51+ GRT vessels, with the day threshold depending on route. Valid Master service on smaller vessels can still produce a 50 or 25 GRT credential.
REC Boston is the home REC for most of New England. Cape Cod and Islands charter operators pursue OUPV Near-Coastal for canyon and stripers offshore work; Master 100 is common for whale-watch and ferry operators. 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.
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The credential is federal, so the requirements do not change by state. A typical Master 100 GT applicant documents Master-level sea service, passes the required USCG exam modules, clears medical/drug/TWIC screening, and shows enough qualifying vessel tonnage for the 100 GT limitation.
Not always. The Coast Guard issues 25, 50, 100, or 200 GRT limits from the vessel tonnage in your qualifying service. Small-boat time can satisfy days, but it may cap the credential below 100 GT.
After the NMC approves the application, candidates test at a Regional Examination Center or through an approved course provider. Use the nearest REC listed above for planning travel and appointment timing.
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Lessons and drills cite 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, and Bowditch so your prep matches what the USCG tests. Answer 5 real, cited questions free.