Ship's Captains

Certification or Licensing

Most ship officers and engineers have the Merchant Mariner Credential, which is an endorsement certification issued by the U.S. Coast Guard upon passing a written exam. Captains and mariners who operate ships with U.S. flags must have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential from the Transportation Security Administration. They must pass a drug screening and take a class on shipboard safety. Ship captains and mariners who operate vessels on open oceans must have the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping endorsement from the U.S. Coast Guard. All of these credentials must be renewed every five years.

Ship's captains who also pilot the boats must have a license issued by the state in which they work and licensing requirements vary by state. The U.S. Coast Guard issues licenses for those who work on the Great Lakes.

Other Requirements

Ship's captains can expect to be required to pass a drug screening test as well as a physical to ensure they are healthy and have good vision and hearing. They must also pass training shipboard safety. Some employers may require background checks.