OUPV Near-Coastal Captain License Requirements in Texas

Texas 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

Use this page to check OUPV Near-Coastal captain license requirements in Texas: sea time, offshore route, exam, TWIC, medical, and REC Houston, TX planning. In Texas, candidates commonly operate around Galveston, South Padre Island, Port Aransas. The nearest REC is Houston, TX.

Credential requirements last verified May 30, 2026.

Primary sources for OUPV Near-Coastal (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 Near-Coastal

Nearest REC

Houston, TX

Route

Near coastal

Compare every Texas captain's license path

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

See all Texas captain's license requirements

What to prepare for

Document 360 days of sea service, including qualifying near-coastal/ocean time for the offshore route.
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 Houston, TX, or use an approved school that administers the USCG exam.

OUPV Near-Coastal requirements in Texas

Texas OUPV Near-Coastal candidates need the six-passenger authority plus qualifying offshore or near-coastal service. Use this route when your charters leave protected waters around Galveston, South Padre Island, Port Aransas and you need the COLREGs exam path.

Sea time: 360 days
Exam focus: Rules, deck, safety, navigation
Local signal: Galveston + South Padre Island

How OUPV Near-Coastal sea service is evaluated in Texas

Under 46 CFR 11.467, an OUPV Near-Coastal applicant needs 12 months (about 360 days) of vessel-operation experience, including at least 3 months (90 days) on ocean or near-coastal waters. The endorsement authorizes Texas six-passenger charters on waters not more than 100 miles offshore, plus the Great Lakes and all inland waters.

Total service

360 days (12 months)

Offshore minimum

90 days ocean/near-coastal

Route limit

≤100 miles offshore

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%.

Why the 90 offshore days matter

46 CFR 11.467 only issues the Near-Coastal route when at least 90 of the 360 days were earned on ocean or near-coastal waters. Inland-only days keep you on the Inland OUPV, so log offshore time on the right route to avoid a downgraded endorsement.

Local operating context

REC Houston covers the western Gulf. Texas inshore (Galveston Bay, Laguna Madre) is OUPV Inland; offshore operators chasing red snapper, billfish, and tuna run OUPV Near-Coastal or Master 100. 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 Texas 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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