Marine Corps COOL Snapshot - GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO)

GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO)

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) is an entry- level license that qualifies the holder to operate and make some basic equipment adjustments to Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) radio installations and confers the operating authority of the MP. The Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS) is an internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment, and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft. FCC requires candidates to be a legal resident of the United States and be fluent in the English language. Candidates must pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO)

The following Marine Corps Enlisted MOSs provide training and/or experience that contributes to attaining this credential:

Enlisted Occupation	Occupation Type	Related As	COOL$
0321 Reconnaissance Marine	MOS	Other
0372 Critical Skills Operator	MOS	Other
6313 Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Radar System Technician, EA-6	MOS	Other
6314 Avionics/Maintenance Technician, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)	MOS	Other
6316 Aircraft Communications/Navigation Systems Technician, KC-130	MOS	Other
6317 Aircraft Communications/Navigation/Radar Systems Technician, F/A-18	MOS	Other
6323 Aircraft Avionics Technician, CH-53	MOS	Other
6324 Aircraft Avionics Technician, U/AH-1	MOS	Other
6326 Aircraft Avionics Technician, V-22	MOS	Other
6332 Aircraft Avionics Technician, AV-8B	MOS	Other
6338 Aircraft Avionics Technician, F-35	MOS	Other
6386 Aircraft Electronic Countermeasures Systems Technician, EA-6B	MOS	Other
6423 Aviation Electronic Micro/miniature Component and Cable Repair Technician, IMA	MOS	Other
6469 Reconfigurable Transportable Consolidated Automated Support System (RTCASS) Technician, IMA	MOS	Other
6483 Communication/Navigation/Cryptographic/Countermeasures Systems Technician, IMA	MOS	Other
6492 Aviation Precision Measurement Equipment (PME) Calibration/Repair Technician, IMA	MOS	Other
7242 Air Support Operations Operator	MOS	Other
7314 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operator	MOS	Some	COOL Bucks
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - Operator	Collateral Duty/Out of Billet MOS	Some	COOL Bucks

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

Credential Prerequisite
Experience
Education
Training
Membership
Other
Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

Exam
Written Exam
Oral Exam
Practical Exam
Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

In-person exam
Remote proctored on-line exam
Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: Lifetime

Continuing Education
Exam
Continuing Education OR Exam
Fee
Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554

Phone: (888) 225-5322

Fax: (866) 418-0232
Email: fccinfo@fcc.gov

Other REQUIREMENTS

The GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) credential has the following other requirements:

Candidate must be a legal resident of (or otherwise eligible for employment in) the United States.

Candidate must be able to receive and transmit spoken messages in English.

Show Written Exam Requirements / Hide Written Exam Requirements

Written Exam Element 1 - Basic Radio Law and Operating Practice

Rules and Regulations
- Equipment Requirements
- License Requirements
- Watchkeeping
- Logkeeping
- Log Entries
- Miscellaneous Rules and Regulations
Communications Procedures
- Bridge-to-Bridge Operations
- Operating Procedures-1
- Operating Procedures-2
- Distress Communications
- Urgency and Safety Communications
- GMDSS
Equipment Operations
- VHF Equipment Controls
- VHF Channel Selection
- MF-HF Equipment Controls
- MF-HF Frequency and Emission Selection
- Equipment Tests
- Equipment Faults
Other Equipment
- Antennas
- Power Sources
- EPIRBs
- SARTs
- Survival Craft VHF
- NAVTEX

Written Exam Element 7 - GMDSS Radio Operating Practices

General Information and System Overview
Principles of Communications
F.C.C. Rules and Regulations
DSC and Alpha-Numeric ID
Distress, Urgency and Safety Communications
Survival Craft Equip and S.A.R.
VHF-DSC Equipment and Communications
Maritime Safety Information (M.S.I.)
Inmarsat Equipment and Communications
MF-HF Equipment and Communications

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) examination:

Best Sources

General References
- Commercial Operator License Examination Managers (COLEMs) and Fees

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor

For more information on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO)

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) credential has the following recertification information:

A GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) is issued for the holder's lifetime. No recertification is required.

Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

Additional considerations for the GMDSS Radio Operator License (DO) include:

To obtain a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license, candidates must submit FCC Form 605 and FCC Form 159 (fee processing form) along with the appropriate Proof of Passing Certificates for the required written exam elements.
The FCC does not administer commercial operator license examinations. To obtain a new or upgraded FCC commercial operator license, the candidate must pass an examination administered by a Commercial Operator License Examination Manager (COLEM).