Six-pack captain cost in Connecticut: the full fee breakdown

Last updated 2026-08-18

Do you need a license to operate as a six-pack captain in Connecticut?

Yes. If you charge passengers money to ride on your boat, federal law requires a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with an OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) endorsement, regardless of which state you're in. Connecticut does not issue its own separate commercial captain license. The federal credential is your license.

The OUPV is what people call the "six-pack" license because it covers vessels carrying up to six paying passengers. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at 46 CFR Part 10 governs the credential, and 46 CFR 15.615 specifies that uninspected passenger vessels carrying passengers for hire must be under the command of a licensed operator ^[1][2].

Connecticut does have its own boating laws through the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), but those cover registration, wake zones, and safety equipment for recreational vessels. They don't replace or overlap with the federal OUPV. If you want to take paying passengers fishing on Long Island Sound, you need the federal paper. Full stop.

How much does a six-pack captain license cost in Connecticut?

The honest answer is: it depends on how much prep you need. The non-negotiable federal fees are fixed. Everything else scales with your experience and the training path you pick.

Here's the breakdown across the main cost buckets:

Cost item	Typical range	Notes
USCG application fee (NMC)	$100	Set by 46 CFR Part 10; confirm current fee at NMC
USCG physical (medical exam)	$75, $200	Must meet 46 CFR 10.215 standards
Drug screen (DOT-compliant)	$30, $75	Required for all new applicants
CPR / first aid certification	$30, $80	Required; Red Cross or AHA accepted
Life Saving / STCW BST (if needed)	$200, $600	Only if you lack prior documented sea service or plan ocean routes
Prep course / exam prep	$0, $400+	Optional but widely used
Passport-style photos	$10, $20	Two required with NMC application
Estimated total	$400, $900	Without STCW; up to $1,200, $1,500 with

The $100 USCG application fee is listed in the NMC fee schedule under 46 CFR Part 10, Subpart B ^[1]. Every other line item is a third-party cost, so prices vary by provider and by county. Don't let anyone tell you there's a fixed state fee on top. There isn't one for Connecticut.

One thing that catches people off guard: the medical exam fee swings wide. A walk-in urgent care clinic doing the USCG physical form CG-719K will often charge less than a specialist. Call around before you book.

How long does it take to get a six-pack captain license in Connecticut?

Plan for three to six months from start to finish if you're starting from zero on sea service hours. If you already have 360 days of documented boating time (with 90 days in the past three years on the specific waters you're applying for), the clock is mostly about paperwork and NMC processing ^[3].

Here's how the timeline typically breaks down:

Sea service documentation (0 to 16 weeks). You need 360 days of sea service total, each day being at least four hours on the water. Most applicants gather these over months or years before they even think about applying. If you're in the middle of building hours, that's your longest variable.

Training and testing (2 to 8 weeks). The OUPV exam covers rules of the road, chart reading, basic navigation, and safety. Prep course schedules vary. Some Connecticut mariners drive to courses in Rhode Island or southern New England. Others use online prep material and schedule the proctored exam locally.

NMC processing (4 to 10 weeks). Once you submit a complete application package to the National Maritime Center, current wait times run four to ten weeks, though NMC publishes updated estimates on its website and those can shift ^[4]. An incomplete application resets your clock, so get your checklist right the first time.

Total elapsed time for a typical new applicant in Connecticut: three to five months is realistic. Six months is not unusual if sea service is still being built or if NMC has a processing backlog.

What are the USCG sea service requirements for Connecticut applicants?

The sea service requirements are federal, so they're identical whether you apply in Mystic, Stamford, or anywhere else in the country. You need 360 days of documented sea service, with at least 90 of those days occurring within the three years before you apply ^[3].

Each "day" is defined as at least four hours underway. A full calendar year of weekends on the water won't necessarily get you there. Count hours, then convert to days carefully.

Connecticut's location gives applicants a meaningful advantage here. Long Island Sound is a federally recognized waters area, and time on the Sound counts toward both inland and near-coastal routes. Operators who want the near-coastal OUPV endorsement (which covers up to 100 nautical miles offshore) use their Sound time freely.

Get your sea service documented on the NMC form CG-719S, signed by someone who can verify your time (a vessel owner, marina operator, or another licensed master who was present). Do not wait until the end to collect these signatures. People move, businesses close, and memories fade. Document as you go.

The controlling regulation here is 46 CFR 11.467, which specifies the service requirements for the OUPV endorsement ^[3].

What does the USCG medical exam involve, and where do you get one in Connecticut?

The physical is done on USCG form CG-719K. You need a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner to complete it. The exam checks vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and any conditions that could impair your ability to operate a vessel safely ^[5].

Connecticut has no shortage of providers. Any licensed medical provider can complete the form. You don't need a maritime-specialized clinic. Urgent care centers, occupational health clinics, and primary care offices all work. Prices run $75 to $200 depending on whether you're walking in or using a provider who knows the USCG form well.

The medical standards come from 46 CFR 10.215. A few specific flags to know: uncorrected near vision must be at least 20/200 with correction to 20/40 in each eye; color perception must meet the isochromatic plate or lantern test standard; and certain cardiac conditions require additional documentation ^[5]. If you have a health condition you're uncertain about, talk to your doctor before paying for the rest of your application.

The physical is valid for 12 months from the exam date, so time your appointment appropriately relative to your planned application submission.

Do Connecticut six-pack captains need STCW certification?

Maybe, and this is where costs can jump significantly. STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) is required if your OUPV endorsement will include ocean or near-coastal routes and you plan to operate on inspected vessels (T-boats carrying more than six passengers) or if you're applying for a higher-grade license later ^[6].

For a pure OUPV applicant staying on inland or near-coastal routes under six passengers, STCW BST is not required by the basic OUPV rule. But the near-coastal OUPV does require a Lifeboatman qualification and endorsement if you want to be unrestricted, and many applicants end up completing STCW BST anyway because it opens doors.

STCW BST courses in the Connecticut region run $400 to $700 and typically take four to five days. The closest major STCW training centers to most Connecticut mariners are in New England (Rhode Island and Massachusetts have established programs). Confirm current pricing directly with providers. These costs have moved with inflation.

If you only plan to take six passengers on Long Island Sound on your own uninspected vessel, STCW BST is not a hard requirement for the base OUPV. But it's worth having if you want flexibility.

What exam do you take to get the OUPV credential, and what does it cost?

The OUPV exam is administered by USCG-approved exam providers. There's no single Connecticut state testing center. You schedule through a Regional Exam Center (REC) or an approved third-party provider. The closest USCG Regional Exam Center to Connecticut is in Boston ^[4].

The exam itself covers five modules: Rules of the Road (COLREGS and Inland Rules), Deck General, Navigation General, Chart Reading, and Safety. Most applicants use a prep course or study guide. Passing scores are 70% per module.

Here's the cost picture: the exam fee is bundled into the NMC application fee at $100 ^[1]. You're not paying a separate exam fee on top. What you might pay is a prep course (ranging from free self-study to $300, $400 for a structured class), and potentially a proctored test sitting fee if you use a private approved facility.

At OUPVPath, the USCG OUPV + Bareboat Kit at $149 is one option for structured exam prep. But there are free resources too, including the navigation rules published by the USCG directly. Use whatever format you actually learn from.

Are there any Connecticut-specific costs or permits for charter operations?

Connecticut doesn't charge a separate state captain's licensing fee, but if you plan to run commercial charter operations, you may encounter other costs beyond the USCG credential.

Connecticut DEEP regulates charter fishing vessels and wildlife-related activities. Some charter boat operators need a state fishing license and, depending on the species and waters, a federal fishing permit from NOAA. These are separate from the captain's credential and the costs are different.

If you're operating a vessel for hire, you also need liability insurance. Connecticut doesn't set a minimum by statute for OUPV operators, but marinas and passengers will expect it. Marine commercial liability coverage typically runs $800 to $2,000 per year for a small charter operation, though that varies with the vessel's size and value.

Running a business rather than occasional charters means you'll need to register as a business entity in Connecticut (LLC filing fee is currently $120 for a standard LLC) ^[9]. That's not specific to captaining, but first-year operators often forget it.

None of these state-side costs replace the federal USCG credential. They sit beside it.

How does Connecticut's six-pack captain cost compare to neighboring states?

The USCG fees are identical everywhere because they're federal. The variation comes from training costs, local exam center options, and whether the state layers on additional requirements.

Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Connecticut's closest neighbors for maritime purposes, have similar all-in costs because they share the same New England training infrastructure. Applicants in all three states often cross borders for STCW courses or proctored exams.

Florida often comes up in comparisons because it has a dense concentration of charter operators and training schools, which creates price competition. Prep course pricing in Florida can run slightly lower than in New England simply due to volume.

For a cost comparison across states, see:

• Six-pack captain cost in Florida
• Six-pack captain cost in Delaware
• Six-pack captain cost in Georgia
• Six-pack captain cost in California

The federal $100 NMC fee anchors every state's cost floor. Everything above that is local market variation.

What is the complete OUPV application checklist for Connecticut applicants?

The NMC application checklist for OUPV applicants covers the same items regardless of state. Here's what you're gathering:

1. Completed CG-719B application form 2. Sea service documentation (CG-719S forms, 360 days total, 90 in last 3 years) 3. Completed USCG physical on CG-719K (within 12 months) 4. DOT-compliant drug test result (negative, within 12 months) 5. CPR/AED certificate (current, within 2 years; valid first-aid cert also required) 6. Copy of current photo ID (driver's license or passport) 7. Two passport-style photos 8. Application fee of $100 (payable to NMC) 9. If applicable: STCW BST certificate, Lifeboatman endorsement documentation

The NMC posts the full checklist and current form versions at its official site ^[4]. Download forms directly from there. Third-party copies can be outdated.

One hard-earned piece of advice: do not submit until every item is complete and matches. A missing form or mismatched name sends your application back and costs you weeks. Triple-check that your legal name is identical on every document.

What ongoing costs should a Connecticut six-pack captain budget for?

Getting the credential is a one-time cost. Keeping it active and insured is an ongoing one.

The OUPV credential is valid for five years. Renewal costs $95 to $100 (confirm the current fee with NMC at renewal time) ^[1]. You'll also need to maintain a valid physical and drug test as part of renewal, so factor in those costs every cycle.

Continuing education isn't federally mandated for OUPV renewal the way it is for some state professional licenses, but many insurance carriers require documented refresher training or encourage OUPV captains to maintain first aid certification continuously.

Commercial marine insurance is an ongoing annual cost. Expect $800 to $2,000 per year for a basic small-vessel charter setup, depending on coverage limits and the specific vessel.

If you expand to T-boat (inspected vessel) operations eventually, you'll need additional endorsements and annual USCG vessel inspections, which have their own cost schedules. That's a different licensing tier, but it's the natural progression for operators who grow beyond six passengers.

For year-one budgeting, a practical Connecticut operator should plan for $400 to $900 to get licensed, $800 to $2,000 for insurance, and another $300 to $600 in incidental business setup costs. Call it $1,500 to $3,500 to be properly set up and insured in year one. That's a realistic number, not a marketing promise.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license for a six-pack captain in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut requires the federal USCG OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) credential, commonly called the six-pack license, for anyone carrying up to six paying passengers on a vessel. Connecticut doesn't issue a separate state captain license. The federal credential from the National Maritime Center is the only one you need.

How much does a six-pack captain license cost in Connecticut?

Total costs typically run $400 to $900 for most applicants. The USCG application fee is $100, the medical exam runs $75 to $200, a drug test costs $30 to $75, and CPR/first-aid certification is $30 to $80. A prep course adds $0 to $400 depending on what you use. STCW Basic Safety Training, if required, adds another $400 to $700.

How long does it take to get a six-pack captain license in Connecticut?

Three to six months is the typical range. Sea service documentation (360 days required) is often the longest step if you're still accumulating hours. Once you submit a complete application to the NMC, processing takes roughly four to ten weeks. An incomplete application restarts your wait, so get the paperwork right before submitting.

Is there a Connecticut state captain license separate from the USCG OUPV?

No. Connecticut doesn't issue its own commercial passenger vessel captain license. The USCG Merchant Mariner Credential with OUPV endorsement, issued by the National Maritime Center, is the controlling credential. Connecticut DEEP manages recreational boating regulations but doesn't duplicate the federal licensing requirement.

What sea service hours do I need for the Connecticut OUPV application?

Federal rules require 360 days of documented sea service, with at least 90 of those days falling within three years before your application date. Each day counts as at least four hours underway. Time on Long Island Sound qualifies for both inland and near-coastal route endorsements. Document each outing on USCG form CG-719S as you go.

Where do I take the OUPV exam in Connecticut?

There's no USCG Regional Exam Center in Connecticut itself. The closest is in Boston, Massachusetts. Some applicants also use USCG-approved third-party testing facilities. Check the NMC website for the current list of approved exam sites. The exam fee is bundled into the $100 NMC application fee. You don't pay a separate testing fee at the NMC.

Do Connecticut six-pack captains need STCW certification?

Not always. STCW Basic Safety Training is required for inspected vessel (T-boat) operations and certain ocean routes, but a straightforward OUPV application for near-coastal or inland waters with up to six passengers doesn't mandate it. Many applicants complete STCW BST anyway for career flexibility. Courses run $400 to $700 in the New England region.

What does the USCG physical exam cost in Connecticut?

Expect $75 to $200. Any licensed physician, PA, or nurse practitioner can complete USCG form CG-719K. Urgent care and occupational health clinics tend to be on the lower end. The physical must meet standards under 46 CFR 10.215 and is valid for 12 months. Time it so it doesn't expire before your application reaches the NMC.

Does Connecticut require a drug test for the six-pack captain license?

Yes, a DOT-compliant pre-employment drug screen is required as part of every USCG OUPV application, regardless of state. Tests typically run $30 to $75 at a certified collection site. The result must be negative and dated within 12 months of your application submission. Check that the testing facility is SAMHSA-certified.

Do I need a fishing license or permit to run charter fishing trips in Connecticut?

Yes, and this is separate from your captain's license. Connecticut DEEP requires charter boat operators to hold a state fishing license, and certain federal species (striped bass, tuna, and others) require NOAA federal fishing permits. These costs are on top of your USCG credential. Check with Connecticut DEEP and NOAA for current permit requirements before booking clients.

How much does commercial marine insurance cost for a Connecticut six-pack captain?

For a small uninspected charter vessel, commercial marine liability insurance typically runs $800 to $2,000 per year in Connecticut. Premiums depend on the vessel's length, age, value, the waters you operate on, and your coverage limits. No Connecticut statute sets a minimum coverage amount for OUPV operators, but marinas and clients routinely require proof of insurance.

Can I complete the OUPV application online?

Partially. The NMC has an online application portal (Homeport) where you can initiate your application and track status. However, supporting documents including physical exam forms, sea service records, drug test results, and photos must be submitted by mail or in person to the NMC in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Start the online portion but don't expect a fully paperless process.

What happens if my OUPV application is incomplete?

The NMC will return it and the clock resets. Common reasons for rejection include mismatched legal names across documents, expired medical exams or drug tests, sea service forms missing required signatures, and incorrect application fee amounts. The NMC publishes a deficiency letter explaining what's missing, but fixing it and resubmitting adds weeks to your timeline.

How much does it cost to renew the OUPV license in Connecticut?

The NMC renewal fee is approximately $95 to $100 (confirm the current fee at the NMC's fee schedule). Renewal is required every five years. You'll also need a current USCG physical and may need a fresh drug test depending on your enrollment status in a random testing program. Budget for those costs on top of the renewal fee.

Sources

1. USCG National Maritime Center, Credential Fees (46 CFR Part 10, Subpart B): The USCG application fee for a new OUPV credential is $100, as listed in the NMC fee schedule.
2. Code of Federal Regulations, 46 CFR Part 15.615, Officer Endorsements Required: 46 CFR 15.615 requires uninspected passenger vessels carrying passengers for hire to be under command of a USCG-licensed operator.
3. Code of Federal Regulations, 46 CFR 11.467, Service Requirements for OUPV: OUPV applicants must document 360 days of sea service with at least 90 days in the three years preceding application, each day at least four hours underway.
4. USCG National Maritime Center, Apply for a Credential: The NMC in Martinsburg, West Virginia processes OUPV applications and publishes current processing time estimates on its website.
5. Code of Federal Regulations, 46 CFR 10.215, Physical Examination Requirements: 46 CFR 10.215 sets vision, hearing, and cardiovascular standards for USCG mariner credential applicants, including corrected visual acuity to 20/40 per eye.
6. Code of Federal Regulations, 46 CFR Part 11, Subpart B, STCW Endorsements: STCW Basic Safety Training is required for certain vessel routes and inspected vessel operations under 46 CFR Part 11 Subpart B.
7. Connecticut Secretary of the State, LLC Filing Fees: Connecticut charges a $120 filing fee for a standard LLC formation as of the current fee schedule.
8. Code of Federal Regulations, 46 CFR Part 10, Subpart A, General Provisions: 46 CFR Part 10 governs USCG Merchant Mariner Credential requirements including application procedures for all endorsements including OUPV.