New Jersey Captain's License Requirements (2026)

What a “New Jersey 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 York, NY.

Local route clue

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

Which Rules of the Road apply on New Jersey water#

New Jersey is enclosed at both ends by lines it shares with another state. 33 CFR 80.165 draws New York Harbor from East Rockaway Inlet Breakwater Light to Sandy Hook Light — a New Jersey landmark in a section headed New York — and 80.503 closes Delaware Bay from Cape May Light to Harbor of Refuge Light to Cape Henlopen. Between them, 80.501 covers Sandy Hook to Tom's River and 80.502 Tom's River to Cape May, drawing inlet-by-inlet lines: Manasquan, Point Pleasant and the other inlets are narrow gates, so a boat is on the International Rules within minutes of leaving the dock. Atlantic City and Cape May operators should assume the offshore rulebook for anything past the inlet, and log inside-the-bay work separately.

COLREGS Demarcation Lines covering New Jersey — 33 CFR Part 80

• 33 CFR 80.165New York Harborline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.501Sandy Hook, NJ to Tom's River, NJline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.502Tom's River, NJ to Cape May, NJline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.503Delaware Bayline 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 New Jersey charter captains need?#

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

Credentials charter captains pursue in New Jersey

• 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.