Virginia Boat Captain's License — Requirements & Cost (2026)

Q: How do I get a captain's license in Virginia?

Getting a captain's license in Virginia means earning a federal USCG credential, not a state-issued one. The path is: document the required sea service (typically 360 days, with at least 3 months — about 90 days — earned within the 7 years before application under current USCG Policy Letter 02-25); pass a USCG-approved medical exam (CG-719K) and drug test (CG-719P); obtain a TWIC card and current CPR/First Aid; then pass the written exam at REC Baltimore, MD / Charleston, SC or an approved course provider. Choose OUPV for six-or-fewer-passenger uninspected boats or a Master credential for inspected or larger passenger vessels.

Q: Is a Virginia captain's license different from a USCG captain's license?

No. People search for a Virginia captain's license because they operate locally, but passenger-for-hire captain credentials are federal USCG Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements. Virginia may still regulate business registrations, guide permits, or local fishing rules, but the OUPV or Master credential is national.

Q: What are the boat captain license requirements in Virginia?

For passenger-for-hire work in Virginia, the credential is federal: OUPV for most six-passenger uninspected charter boats, or Master for inspected passenger vessels and larger passenger counts. Applicants still need sea-service evidence, medical, drug-testing, TWIC, CPR/First Aid, and the required USCG exam or approved course.

Q: How old do you have to be to get a captain's license in Virginia?

Because Virginia captain's credentials are federal, the minimum age is set by the U.S. Coast Guard, not the state: you must be at least 18 years old to hold an OUPV (six-pack) credential, and at least 19 for a Master officer endorsement — specifically Master of 25–200 GRT on near-coastal, Great Lakes, inland, or river routes — rising to 21 for higher-tonnage and ocean officer endorsements (46 CFR 11.201(e)). There is no separate Virginia age rule for the credential itself.

Q: Does Virginia issue a separate captain's license?

Virginia may regulate businesses, fishing guides, permits, or local operations, but the captain credential for passenger-for-hire vessel operation is issued by the USCG National Maritime Center.

Q: Should I choose OUPV or Master?

Choose OUPV when the boat is an uninspected passenger vessel carrying six or fewer passengers for hire. Choose a Master credential when the vessel is inspected, carries more than six passengers, or the business plan needs broader authority.

Q: Where do Virginia candidates take the USCG exam?

After the NMC approves the application, candidates can test at REC Baltimore, MD / Charleston, SC or through an approved course provider that administers the USCG exam.

What a “Virginia 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. Virginia regulates business and guide permits separately; it does not issue the captain's credential itself.

Credential issuer: USCG National Maritime Center — the credential is federal, not a state-issued license.
Nearest exam route: REC Baltimore, MD / Charleston, SC, or a USCG-approved course provider with exam authority.
Local route clue: Offshore or coastal charters around Virginia Beach usually start with OUPV Near-Coastal, then compare Master 50/100 for inspected boats.

Virginia specifics#

Virginia's Chesapeake bay-only operators run OUPV Inland; Atlantic canyon runs out of Virginia Beach use OUPV Near-Coastal or Master 100.

The nearest USCG Regional Examination Center is Baltimore, MD / Charleston, SC — most Virginia candidates either test there or use a USCG-approved course provider with exam authority closer to home. Compare centers and appointment rules in the USCG REC locations guide.

REC list verified against USCG NMC Regional Exam Centers on May 8, 2026.

Major Virginia charter hubs

Virginia Beach
Cape Charles
Chesapeake Bay (Reedville, Deltaville)
Wachapreague

Which credential do Virginia charter captains need?#

The path turns on three practical data points: total days of service, waters served upon, and passenger count. Still deciding whether the trip is private, bareboat, or passenger-for-hire? Start with the captain's-license trigger guide.

Six or fewer passengers

Use OUPV when the operation is an uninspected passenger vessel limited to six or fewer passengers for hire.

Check OUPV

More than six passengers

Use a Master credential when the vessel needs inspected small-passenger-vessel authority.

Master requirements

Application package

Plan sea-service evidence, medical, drug testing, TWIC, CPR/First Aid, and REC Baltimore, MD exam timing.

See steps

Already licensed?

Renew an existing Virginia captain's license: the five 46 CFR 10.227 options, forms, and fees.

Renewal hub

The written test

What's on the Virginia captain's license test: the federal exam modules, 90% Rules and Chart Plot pass marks, and REC Baltimore, MD testing.

Exam format

What it costs

A Virginia captain's license carries the same fixed $240 in USCG fees (46 CFR 10.219) as every other state — roughly $600–1,200 all-in once the CG-719K physical, drug test, TWIC, and CPR/First Aid are added.

Cost breakdown

Credentials charter captains pursue in Virginia

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.

How to get your Virginia captain's license#

Document your sea service
At least 360 days total — with 90 qualifying days in the 7 years before application under current USCG Policy Letter 02-25. See the sea-time requirements guide.
Pass the medical & drug test
USCG physical (CG-719K) and drug screen (CG-719P).
Get a TWIC + CPR / First Aid
Transportation Worker ID Credential and current certifications.
Submit your application to the NMC
Sea-service forms, the medical package, and fees.
Pass the exam at REC Baltimore, MD
Or an approved course provider — 90% on Rules of the Road & Chart Plotting. See the USCG exam format guide.

Questions about Virginia captain license requirements#

How do I get a captain's license in Virginia?

Getting a captain's license in Virginia means earning a federal USCG credential, not a state-issued one. The path is: document the required sea service (typically 360 days, with at least 3 months — about 90 days — earned within the 7 years before application under current USCG Policy Letter 02-25); pass a USCG-approved medical exam (CG-719K) and drug test (CG-719P); obtain a TWIC card and current CPR/First Aid; then pass the written exam at REC Baltimore, MD / Charleston, SC or an approved course provider. Choose OUPV for six-or-fewer-passenger uninspected boats or a Master credential for inspected or larger passenger vessels.

Is a Virginia captain's license different from a USCG captain's license?

No. People search for a Virginia captain's license because they operate locally, but passenger-for-hire captain credentials are federal USCG Merchant Mariner Credential endorsements. Virginia may still regulate business registrations, guide permits, or local fishing rules, but the OUPV or Master credential is national.

What are the boat captain license requirements in Virginia?

For passenger-for-hire work in Virginia, the credential is federal: OUPV for most six-passenger uninspected charter boats, or Master for inspected passenger vessels and larger passenger counts. Applicants still need sea-service evidence, medical, drug-testing, TWIC, CPR/First Aid, and the required USCG exam or approved course.

How old do you have to be to get a captain's license in Virginia?

Because Virginia captain's credentials are federal, the minimum age is set by the U.S. Coast Guard, not the state: you must be at least 18 years old to hold an OUPV (six-pack) credential, and at least 19 for a Master officer endorsement — specifically Master of 25–200 GRT on near-coastal, Great Lakes, inland, or river routes — rising to 21 for higher-tonnage and ocean officer endorsements (46 CFR 11.201(e)). There is no separate Virginia age rule for the credential itself.

Does Virginia issue a separate captain's license?