The most popular USCG license — for hire on near-coastal waters with up to 6 passengers.
60
questions
70 minutes
time limit
70% overall / 90% COLREGS
passing score
⚠ Rules of the Road is tested separately and requires 90%
The Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) license — nicknamed the "6-pak" — lets you carry up to 6 paying passengers for hire on near-coastal waters. It's the entry point for professional captaining: fishing charters, dive boats, water taxis, whale watching, and more. The OUPV exam covers 7 core topic areas and requires 70% overall, with 90% on the Rules of the Road section.
Who this is for
Charter captains, fishing guides, dive boat operators, water taxi drivers, and anyone who wants to take passengers out for hire on coastal waters.
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