United States Coast Guard (USCG)

National Master 200 GL and Inland

Credential: National Master 200 GL and Inland
Credentialing Agency: United States Coast Guard (USCG)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The National Master 200 Great Lakes (GL) and Inland officers are responsible for vessels of less than 200 GRT and its safe and efficient operation including, the ship's seaworthiness, safety and security conditions, cargo operations, navigation, and crew management. National Master 200 GL and Inland officers set the course and speed, maneuver the vessel to avoid hazards and other ships, and periodically determine its position using navigation aids, celestial observations, and charts. They direct crew members who steer the vessel, operate engines, signal to other vessels, perform maintenance and handle lines, or operate towing or dredging gear. Masters ensure that proper procedures and safety practices are followed, ensure machinery and equipment are in reliable working order, and oversee the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers. They also maintain logs and other records of ships' movements and cargo carried. The Master is always in command of a merchant ship and regulates the proper daily transactions and handles the legal affairs on maritime issues. Candidates must meet a minimum sea service, training, and exam requirement.

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

National Master 200 GL and Inland

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 360 days
  • 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: 5 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

United States Coast Guard (USCG)

United States Department of Homeland Security
2100 2nd St. S.W.
Washington, DC  20593-0001

Phone: (202) 267-0218

Email: iasknmc@uscg.mil

Sea Service Requirement REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must meet the following sea service requirement:

  • Great Lakes - 360 total days of service, in any position or department, OF WHICH:
    • 180 days must have been as a Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding a license or endorsement as Master, Mate, Master or Mate(pilot) of towing vessels, or OUPV, AND
    •  90 days of service on Great Lakes
  • Inland – 360 total days of service, in any position or department, OF WHICH:
    • 180 days must have been as a Master, Mate, or equivalent position while holding a license or endorsement as Master, Mate, Master or Mate(pilot) of towing vessels, or OUPV.

For additional information refer to the NMC Checklist.

 

To assist with evaluating your sea service for Merchant Marine credential eligibility and navigating the process, visit the MilGears Mil-2-Mariner Tool on the MilGears website. The M2M Tool allows you to upload individual military service records and compare your creditable sea service, training and assessments completed during your military service against the standard for an original or upgraded Merchant Mariner Credential. The tool will provide guidance and application recommendations for National Maritime Center issued credentials, based on your specific results.

Knowledge Test GLI05

  • Q100 Rules of the Road: Inland and International
  • Q300 Rules of the Road: Inland
  • Q340 Deck General
  • Q341 Deck Safety
  • Q342 Navigation General: Great Lakes and Inland
  • Q343 Navigation Problems: Chart Plot

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the National Master 200 GL and Inland examination:

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 National Master 200 GL and Inland credential where checked:

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

  • For more information on the United States Coast Guard (USCG) testing process, visit the agency website.

National Master 200 GL and Inland include:

Applicants for the Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) must meet the listed general requirements:

  • Meet the credential age requirement.
  • Submit evidence of holding or having applied for Transportation Working Identification Card (TWIC) from TSA.
  • Submit completed MMC Application CG-Form 719B.
    • Must submit evidence of appropriate Sea Service as required. Military sea service may be counted towards the sea service required to become a mariner. This military sea service is only part of the MMC evaluation. Documentation is key and must be submitted with the MMC application package to a Regional Exam Center.
    • Provide photocopies the front and the back of all relevant Training Course Certificate(s) and Certifications.
    • Submit CG Form- 719C Disclosure Statement for Narcotics, DWI/DUI, and/or other convictions as applicable.
    • Provide proof of passing the appropriate vision, hearing, medical, or physical exam, documented on CG Form-719K or CG-719K/E.
    • Provide evidence of passing a DOT/USCG periodic drug test on CG From- 719P.
  • Submit evaluation, exam and issuance Fees as applicable.

National Master 200 GL and Inland include:

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) National Maritime Center (NMC) awards credentials to fully qualified mariners to assure a safe, secure, economically viable and environmentally sound Marine Transportation System. There are generally two types of mariner credentials: National and International, and they are awarded in two primary operational departments, Deck and Engine.  However, before any mariner credential is awarded, applicants must first attain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

The International credentials are governed in compliance with Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW). These international standards (STCW) were first developed in 1978 when the international maritime community realized that human factors played a dominant role in the prevention of marine casualties.  The last major revision to the international STCW Convention and Code were adopted in 2010 in Manila, Philippines and took effect on 1 Jan 2012.

General Application Requirements include drug test compliance, medical screening, First Aid and CPR certificates of training, and firefighting training. In addition to the general application requirements, the primary data elements that NMC evaluators need from military mariner applicants to assess their experience and suitability for National or STCW level credentials are Military Sea Service history and Vessel Information as described below:

MILITARY SEA SERVICE

Military sea service experience must be a reasonable equivalent to the service required of a merchant mariner who is seeking an identical license. Evaluations of military sea service require submission of a Transcript of Sea Service (TOSS) or a Sea Service Letter. Each service has a slightly different version of their Sea Service letter; this example shows U.S. Navy Sea Service Letter requirements.  U.S. Army applicants can request a copy of their Sea Service history through the Sea Pay system.

NMC Regional Examination Centers may also require an official description of duties statement, letters of qualification, service record entries, or letters from former supervisors or commanding officers as well.  Specific details about sea service requirements for the various different credentials can be found in  46 CFR Part 10 - Merchant Mariner Credential, and 46 CFR Part 12 - Requirements for Rating Endorsements.  Additional details related to criteria for accepting military sea experience can be obtained from the Marine Safety Manual-Vol III, and Section 3 of the Military File Evaluation Manual.

VESSEL INFORMATION

Each Service also has corresponding vessel information. 

U.S. Navy applicants can reference this U.S. Navy Vessel Information chart for details on Ship Type, Name, Hull number, Ship Class, GRI ITC Tonnage, GRT Tonnage, Horsepower, and Propulsion Type when completing their Sea Service Letter.

U.S. Army applicant’s Vessel information will be included in the Sea Pay letter they request for military sea service history.

National Master 200 GL and Inland include:

Requirements for renewal:

  • The applicant must either—
    • Present evidence of at least 1 year of sea service during the past 5 years;
    • Pass a comprehensive, open-book exercise covering the general subject matter as appropriate to the credential;
    • Complete an approved refresher training course;
    • Provide evidence of employment as a qualified instructor or in a position closely related to the credential.
  • A credential may be renewed at any time during its validity and for 1 year after expiration.

There are no professional requirements for renewal for the following endorsements:

  • Ordinary seaman, Wiper, Steward's department, Steward's department (F.H.).
  • Cadet, Student observer, Apprentice engineer, Apprentice mate.
  • Person in charge of medical care, Medical first-aid provider.
  • GMDSS at-sea maintainer, GMDSS operator.

Certain STCW endorsements must complete approved refresher or revalidation training.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

Click to go to the external ANAB web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

Click to go to the external ICAC web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

Click to go to the external ABSNC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

Click to go to the external NCCA web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

Click to go to the external IAS web site.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

Army e-learning

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NKO e-learning

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels

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Updated: February 26, 2021
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