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USCG License Prep Resources

These self-paced courses are designed to help you get ready for your exams, at any license level.  You can pick and choose which modules you need the most help with.  

​If you have a testing letter from the Coast Guard, contact the instructor if you have questions about the suitability of these courses. 

Rather purchase all courses at once in a bundle and save tuition?  Check it out here.
Get the License Prep Bundle
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Navigation Problems for USCG Exams

This course is for mariners from Unlimited tonnage to 200 tons seeking an oceans/celestial route on their license.  

​Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: $125   
  • Sample exams solved from Unlimited to 200 Ton Exams
  • Every problem type explained with video lecture and examples
  • Over 100 full problems solved and explained for comprehension
  • Over 20 hours of video training sessions
  • Multiple examples of each problem type solved
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
Go to the Nav Problems Course
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Chart Plotting for USCG Exams

Go to the Chart Plotting Course
This online course is designed for anyone interested in improving their chart plotting skills and problem solving abilities. The course has a section on chart plotting basics and the use of plotting tools, and then begins to solve chart plotting problems at various license levels.

​Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: $95   
  • Sample exams solved from Unlimited to OUPV licenses
  • Every problem type explained with video lecture and examples
  • Over 50 full problems solved and explained for comprehension
  • Over 10 hours of video training sessions
  • Multiple examples of each problem type solved
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
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Rules of the Road (COLREGS) for USCG Exams


​This online course is a comprehensive study of the nautical Rules of the Road, or COLREGS as they are known internationally.  With hours of video lessons, a complete question bank of over 1000 Rules of the Road questions, and video explanations for over 300 questions, this course will help you pass your USCG Rules of the Road exam, or simply make you a better boater.  

Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: $95 
  • Every rule explained in detail with example problems
  • Common errors and test strategies discussed
  • Over 300 examples solved and explained for better understanding
  • Over 3 hours of video training sessions
  • Access to question bank with over 1000 practice questions/answers
  • Course also available on Udemy at this link (sometimes on sale)

Go to the Rules of the Road Course
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Stability Problems for USCG Exams

Go to the Stability Problems Course
This video course will solve every type of stability calculation you can see on USCG exams from 100 ton to Unlimited Master for Oceans, Near Coastal, and Great Lakes & Inland licenses. 
​
Fast Facts:
  • Course Cost: $125.​
  • Sample exams solved from Unlimited to 100 Ton Exams
  • Oceans, Near Coastal, and Great Lakes/Inland licenses
  • No MODU problems
  • Every problem type explained with video lecture and examples​
  • Blue Pages, American Mariner, Grand Haven, and all the vessels! 
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
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Navigation General Math for USCG Exams

Go to the Nav General Math Course
This course covers the mathematics portion of the Navigation General exam, for license levels from 100 ton to Master Unlimited.  This is usually 10% of your exam, and the course also includes the question data bank for the remainder of the tests as well as sample exams and dozens of problems solved on video.  

​Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: $50  
  • Every problem type explained with video lecture and examples
  • Dozens of full problems solved and explained for comprehension
  • Multiple sample exams with math problems identified/solved
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
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Deck General Math for USCG Exams

Go to the Deck General Math Course
This course covers the mathematics portion of the Deck General exam, for license levels from 100 ton to Master Unlimited.  This is usually 3-8% of your exam, and the course also includes the question data bank for the remainder of the tests as well as sample exams and dozens of problems solved on video.  

​Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: $25   
  • Sample exams solved from Unlimited to 100 Ton Exams
  • Every problem type explained with video lecture and examples
  • Dozens of full problems solved and explained for comprehension
  • Multiple sample exams with math problems identified
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
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Deck General Trivia for USCG Exams

This course covers the trivia portion of the Deck General course, for all license levels.  It provides training at lower levels, as well as tips on what to study for upper level licenses.   There are also dozens of sample exams for your study.  

​Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: Free  
  • Sample exams from Unlimited to 100 Ton Exams
  • Full training at the 100 ton level
  • Tips on studying for upper level licenses
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
Go to the Deck General Trivia Course
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Deck Safety Trivia for USCG Exams 

This course covers the trivia portion of the Deck Safety course, for all license levels.  It provides training at lower levels, as well as tips on what to study for upper level licenses.   There are also dozens of sample exams for your study.  

​Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: Free  
  • Sample exams from Unlimited to 100 Ton Exams
  • Full training at the 100 ton level
  • Tips on studying for upper level licenses
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
Go to the Deck Safety Trivia Course
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Navigation General Trivia for USCG Exams

This course covers the trivia portion of the Navigation General course, for all license levels.  It provides training at lower levels, as well as tips on what to study for upper level licenses.   There are also dozens of sample exams for your study.  For more study, also see the Navigation Problems course and the Nav Gen Math course (coming 2025). 

​Fast Facts:
  • ​Course cost: Free  
  • Sample exams from Unlimited to 100 Ton Exams
  • Full training at the 100 ton level
  • Tips on studying for upper level licenses
  • Access to all official USCG exam room materials for practice
Go to the Nav Gen Trivia Course
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Fundamentals of the Maneuvering Board


​This online course will help you master the dreaded maneuvering board whether for USCG license exams or for your advancement purposes as a USCG deck watch officer or USN surface warfare officer.  

The course teaches you how to solve single contact problems, avoidance and intercept problems, and true/desired wind problems.  There is a companion textbook that you can use in the future when reviewing mo-board problems available through the course.

Course Cost: Free
Go to the MoBoard Course
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Mastering Celestial Navigation

Newly produced in 2025, this is a complete course in celestial navigation, covering the entire 5 step process and including hundreds of practice problems, including several complete sight reductions.  

Course Cost: Free
Go to the Mastering Celestial Course
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​Practical Navigator
​Mailing Address

5764 N. Orange Blossom Trl

PMB 68730

Orlando FL, 32810

​www.practicalnavigator.org


[email protected]
Practical Navigator LLC is a veteran-owned business committed to improving understanding of navigation and licensing for mariners.
“Whenever I meet with the words 'Thus it plainly appears,' I am sure that hours and perhaps days of hard study will alone enable me to discover how it plainly appears.” 
​

                                             ― Nathaniel Bowditch
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