Texas Captain's License Requirements (2026)

What a “Texas 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 Houston, TX.

Local route clue

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

Which Rules of the Road apply on Texas water#

Texas's entire coast is three sections — Sabine Pass to Galveston (33 CFR 80.840), Galveston to Freeport (80.845), and the Brazos River to the Rio Grande (80.850) — and Galveston's line is the one this site works through in detail on the OUPV guide, because it is where the two lines people conflate are furthest apart. 80.845 draws the demarcation at the harbour entrance, jetty light to jetty light. The Boundary Line that limits an OUPV route under 46 CFR 10.107 is 46 CFR 7.105, which runs the whole Gulf coast along the 12-mile line marking the seaward limit of the territorial sea. Off Galveston you can be steering by the International Rules and still be shoreward of the line that defines inland waters for your credential. Port Aransas and South Padre operators are inside 80.850 and face the same gap.

COLREGS Demarcation Lines covering Texas — 33 CFR Part 80

• 33 CFR 80.840Sabine Pass, TX to Galveston, TXline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.845Galveston, TX to Freeport, TXline drawn — Inland water inside
• 33 CFR 80.850Brazos River, TX to the Rio Grande, TXline 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 Texas charter captains need?#

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

Credentials charter captains pursue in Texas

• 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.