OUPV Inland (Six-Pack) Requirements in North Carolina

Q: Do North Carolina captains need a state license or a USCG license?

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.

Q: What is the fastest OUPV path?

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.

Q: Should I choose Inland or Near-Coastal?

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.

North Carolina 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.

Quick read

OUPV Inland (Six-Pack) operates uninspected <=6-passenger charter boats inside COLREGs demarcation lines (bays, sounds, lakes, rivers). In North Carolina, candidates commonly operate around Outer Banks (Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Wanchese), Morehead City, Wrightsville Beach. The nearest REC is Charleston, SC.

Credential requirements last verified May 30, 2026.

Primary sources for OUPV Inland (Six-Pack) requirements

eCFR 46 CFR 11.467 OUPV (less than 100 GRT) endorsement requirements (retrieved May 30, 2026)
eCFR 46 CFR 11.211 creditable sea service and equivalents (retrieved May 30, 2026)
eCFR 46 CFR 11.201(c) sea-service recency (3 months within 3 years) (retrieved May 30, 2026)
USCG NMC Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) checklist (retrieved May 30, 2026)

Credential

OUPV Inland

Nearest REC

Charleston, SC

Route

Inland waters

Compare every North Carolina captain's license path

Use the North Carolina overview to choose between OUPV, Master 25, Master 50, and Master 100 before narrowing this credential checklist.

See all North Carolina captain's license requirements

What to prepare for

Document 360 days of sea service, with 90 days within the last three 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 Charleston, SC, or use an approved school that administers the USCG exam.

OUPV Inland requirements in North Carolina

North Carolina OUPV Inland candidates usually serve lakes, bays, sounds, rivers, or other waters inside the COLREGs demarcation lines. It is the simplest federal path for six-passenger charter work around Outer Banks (Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Wanchese), Morehead City, Wrightsville Beach.

Sea time: 360 days
Exam focus: Inland rules, deck, safety, navigation
Local signal: Outer Banks (Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Wanchese) + Morehead City

How OUPV Inland sea service is evaluated in North Carolina

Under 46 CFR 11.467, an OUPV Inland applicant needs 12 months (about 360 days) of vessel-operation experience. The inland endorsement covers North Carolina six-passenger charters on inland waters inside the COLREGs demarcation lines and excludes the Great Lakes and waters more than the near-coastal limit offshore.

Total service

360 days (12 months)

Recency

90 days within 3 years

Route limit

Inside demarcation lines

What counts as a day

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%.

Recency rule

46 CFR 11.201(c) requires at least 3 months (90 days) of the qualifying service to fall within the 3 years immediately before you apply, so older sea time alone will not satisfy the NMC evaluator.

Local operating context

North Carolina's Outer Banks have one of the strongest offshore canyon and Gulf-Stream charter fleets on the East Coast. OUPV Near-Coastal is the entry; Master 100 is common. 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.

Questions candidates ask before applying

Do North Carolina captains need a state license or a USCG license?

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.

What is the fastest OUPV path?

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.

Should I choose Inland or Near-Coastal?

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.

Same credential nearby

Study the federal exam, not state trivia

CaptainsGround links lessons and drills to 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, and Bowditch citations so your prep matches the material the USCG tests.

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