Free cost calculator
How much does a captain’s license really cost?
Most sites quote the course price and stop there. We add every required fee — TWIC, USCG application, medical exam — so you see the honest all-in total, then show how fast it pays for itself.
A USCG captain’s license typically costs about $1,100.25–$1,300.25 all-in: roughly $695 for an OUPV course or $895 for a Master, plus the required federal costs most estimates skip — a TWIC card ($85.25), USCG application fees ($145), and a medical exam.
Captain’s license cost at a glance
| OUPV (“Six-Pack”) course | $695 (Mariners Learning System) |
|---|---|
| 25–100 Ton Master course | about $895 (Mariners Learning System) |
| USCG application fees | $145 (evaluation + issuance, NMC) |
| TWIC card (TSA) | $85.25, valid 5 years |
| Medical exam + drug test | about $100–$250 (provider-set) |
| Typical OUPV all-in | about $1,100.25 |
How do you get a captain's license?
Two paths — OUPV and Master — converge on the same six steps. The course and exam are where the cost starts, so here's the full process before the price breakdown.
- OUPV path
- Master path
- Course & exam
- USCG license
- Admin steps
Build your itemized total
Pick your license level and toggle the add-ons that apply. The total updates as you go — and unlike most estimates, it includes the federal fees you can’t skip.
Your honest, itemized total
| OUPV / “Six-Pack” course tuition | $695 |
|---|---|
| USCG application fees | $145 |
| TWIC card (TSA) | $85.25 |
| Medical exam + drug test (est.) | ~$175 |
| Estimated all-in total | ~$1,100.25 |
Think of it as an investment, not a bill
A captain’s license is what lets you legally get paid to run charters, fishing trips, and boat deliveries. At a conservative $400 per for-hire day, the $1,100.25 all-in pays for itself in about 3 trips — often a single busy weekend.
$400/day is an illustrative rate you set yourself, not a guarantee of income or work.
Ready to start? Mariners Learning System publishes every price up front — no surprises at checkout.
Apply promo code BOATINGCLASSES at checkout.
We may earn a commission if you enroll, at no cost to you.
Why the real cost is higher than the course price
The course tuition is only part of the picture. To actually hold the credential, the U.S. Coast Guard requires a few things almost every “cost” article forgets: a TWIC card from the TSA ($85.25), application fees paid to the National Maritime Center ($100 evaluation + $45 issuance), and a medical exam and drug test. We surface all of them up front because hidden fees erode trust — and transparent pricing is exactly what a school like Mariners Learning System is built on.
Last updated:
Sources: USCG application fees per 46 CFR 10.219; TWIC fee per the TSA; course prices from Mariners Learning System. This is an independent guide, not legal advice — confirm current fees with the agencies before you apply.
Captain’s license cost — FAQ
- How much does a captain’s license cost?
- All-in, expect roughly $1,100.25–$1,300.25. That’s the course ($695 for an OUPV, about $895 for a Master) plus required federal costs most estimates omit: a TWIC card, USCG application fees, and a medical exam.
- What’s the cost difference between an OUPV and a Master license?
- The course is the main difference — an OUPV runs about $695 and a Master about $895. The federal fees (TWIC, USCG application, medical exam) are the same for both, so a Master license costs roughly $200 more overall.
- What hidden fees do most captain’s license cost estimates leave out?
- The big three: a TWIC card ($85.25 from the TSA), USCG application fees ($145 to the National Maritime Center), and a required medical exam and drug test (typically $100–$250). Many sites quote only the course tuition, so the real total comes as a surprise.
- Do I have to pay the USCG’s $95 exam fee?
- Usually not. When you take a USCG-approved course with an at-home proctored exam — like Mariners Learning System — that exam replaces the Regional Exam Center test, so the separate $95 REC exam fee isn’t charged. You still pay the $100 evaluation and $45 issuance fees.
- How much is a TWIC card?
- A TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) costs $85.25 and is valid for five years. It’s required to hold a Merchant Mariner Credential, so it’s a real, unavoidable part of the cost — not an optional extra.
- Is a captain’s license worth the cost?
- For anyone earning from the water, yes. The license is what legally lets you take paying passengers or deliver boats for hire. At a typical for-hire day rate, the all-in cost often pays back within a handful of trips — it’s an investment in earning, not just a fee.
Protect your time on the water
Compare boat insurance quotes in minutes — many quotes are free with no obligation.