Member Qualifications
Member Qualification Paths
USCG Auxiliary members must be qualified to perform many of the auxiliary missions in support of the US Coast Guard. To obtain these qualifications, members undergo training similar to that provided to Coast Guard personnel. Members are generally required to complete training and one or more tests showing their knowledge and proficiency for the skills involved. Once qualified for a specific type of activity, members generally perform a minimum number of missions each year and in some cases attend workshops and perform training tasks to maintain their proficiency. Periodic Re-qualification is required for many activity types with varying requirements.
In addition there are many direct Coast Guard support activities that require certification by the Coast Guard.
The major auxiliary qualification categories are: Vessel Examiner, Marine Dealer Visitor, Instructor, Boat Crew (Crew & Coxswain), Mobile Radio, Air Crew and ATON verifier.
Requirements in each of these areas are provided below:
Vessel Examiner (VE)
Ref: | Vessel Safety Check Manual, COMDTINST M16796.8, Page 6 |
Primary Mission | Vessel Safety Check (VSC) on recreational boats generally under 65 feet |
Qualification | Complete the open book exam within a three hours time limit and pass the VE exam with a passing score of 90%. In addition, perform five VSCs under the supervision of a certified VE. The certified VE determines whether or not the examination was satisfactory and provides specific, instructional feedback to the qualifying member to further assist in the qualification process. The certified VE trainer is credited with the five VSCs performed. Complete Intro to Risk Management (10023) |
Annual | VE must complete at least five VSC each calendar year. Complete VE Workshop, if required |
Re-Qualification | If any qualified VE fails to perform the annual certification procedures within the last five years, they must complete two satisfactory VSCs under the supervision of a certified VE in order to regain their certification. The certifying VE receives the credit for the two recertification VSCs. The candidate must then meet the requirements as stated in the Annual Certification Procedures above to retain their certification. |
Notes | For the Coast Guard Auxiliary, VEs may also examine Uninspected Passenger Vessels and Commercial Fishing Vessels. |
Marine Dealer Visitor (MDV)
Ref: | Auxiliary Marine Dealer Visitor Manual, COMDTINST M16796.3B, Pages 2-4 and 2-5 |
Primary Mission | Promote safe boating for the recreational boating public through the aid of the marine dealer |
Qualification | Complete the open book exam within a three hours time limit and pass the MDV exam with a passing score of 90%. In addition, make a marine dealer visit with a currently qualified visitor. Complete Intro to Risk Management (10023) |
Annual | MDV must conduct at least four visits each annually. In addition, must attend mandatory, Headquarters approved, MV/VE workshops conducted in their areas. |
Re-Qualification | MDV has failed to conduct four visits during the calendar year. Must retake the MV exam in addition to any required workshops. They do not have to perform the training visit. |
Notes | Inactivity, if one year or more has elapsed since loss of qualification, the Auxiliarist must re-qualify, the same as a new MV, using the procedures prescribed in paragraph 2-F-2. |
Instructor (IT)
Ref: | Instructor Qualification Course Part A, COMDTPUB M16794.44. Instructor Qualification Course Part B, COMDTPUB M16794.45 Instructor Qualification Process, 16794, dated 04/03/97 |
Primary Mission | Promote boating safety via Auxiliary Public Education courses, |
Qualification | Complete the open book exam within a three hours time limit and pass the IT exam with a passing score of 90%. In addition, complete the practical part A and B by demonstrating proficiency in preparing lessons plans and making presentations. Teach two classes under the supervision of a previously qualified instructor. or apply for waiver of qualification as an IT. |
Annual | Must teach two hours or serve as an assistant Instructor for four hours each year. |
Re-Qualification |
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Notes |
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Boat Crew - Crew
Ref: | Auxiliary Qualification Handbook - Boat Crewmember, ABQH 16115.51A Auxiliary Qualification Handbook - Boat Crewmember, ATH16794.51A |
Primary Mission | Train and qualify members to operate Auxiliary vessel facilities under Coast Guard patrol orders. |
Qualification | Basic level of boating knowledge, physical ability to perform task, completion of task in the crew qualification guide with mentor sign off and QE sign off of last two tasks oral exam and check ride. Complete or challenge a boating safety course. Complete swim task, Operations workshop, ICS 100 & ICS 700 and 8 hour TCT class. Complete Intro to Risk Management (10023) Complete Blood-Borne Pathogens course |
Annual | Must log twelve hours underway on orders. Requirement may be satisfied while on any operational or training mission. Complete the yearly TCT and Operations workshop. |
Re-Qualification | Fails to meet currency requirement for one year or two consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency under the supervision of a certified coxswain. Fails to meet currency requirement for three consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency and complete a check ride signed off by certified coxswain if a QE is not reasonably available. Fails to meet currency requirement for four consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency and complete a check ride signed off by a QE. Fails to meet currency requirement for five consecutive years will lose their qualification. |
Notes | Currency maintenance is carried out in a three-year cycle. . Year three must be signed off by a QE. This currency requirement may be signed off by a QE at any time in the three-year cycle. Doing so will start a new cycle. |
Boat Crew - Coxswain
Ref: | Auxiliary Qualification Handbook - Boat Coxswain ABQH 16115.51A Auxiliary Qualification Handbook - Boat Coxswain, ATH16794.51A |
Primary Mission | Train and qualify members with the skills and knowledge for safe and effective performance as a coxswain to operate Auxiliary vessel facilities under Coast Guard patrol orders. |
Qualification | Basic level of boating knowledge, physical ability to perform task, completion of task in the crew qualification guide with mentor sign off and QE sign off of last two tasks oral exam and check ride. Complete or challenge a boating safety course. Complete swim task, Operations workshop, ICS 100 & ICS 700, ICS 200 & ICS 800 and a 8 hour TCT class. Complete Navigation Rules and Operations policy Exams. Complete Intro to Risk Management (10023) Complete Blood-Borne Pathogens course
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Annual | Must log twelve hours underway on orders and may be satisfied while on any operational or training mission. Complete the yearly TCT and Operations workshop. |
Re-Qualification | Fails to meet currency requirement for one year or two consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency under the supervision of a certified coxswain. Fails to meet currency requirement for three consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency and complete a check ride signed off by certified coxswain if a QE is not reasonably available. Fails to meet currency requirement for four consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency and complete a check ride signed off by a QE. Fails to meet currency requirement for five consecutive years will lose their qualification. |
Notes | Currency maintenance is carried out in a three-year cycle. Year three must be signed off by a QE. This currency requirement may be signed off by a QE at any time in the three-year cycle. Doing so will start a new cycle. Coxswain must be Navigation Rules exam qualified and maintain qualification. The coxswain must pass an open book (re-qualification) Auxiliary Navigation Rules exam with a minimum score of 90% every 5 years. A member may downgrade to crew member level by meeting currency requirements for crew member.
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Boat Crew – PWC Operator
Ref: | Auxiliary Qualification Handbook - Personal Watercraft Operator, ABQH 16115.51A Auxiliary Qualification Handbook - Personal Watercraft Operator ATH 16794.51A |
Primary Mission | Train and qualify members with the skills and knowledge for safe and effective performance as a PWC Operator to operate Auxiliary vessel facilities under Coast Guard patrol orders. |
Qualification | Physical ability to perform task, completion of task in the PWC Operator qualification guide and QE sign off of oral exam and check ride. Qualified boat crew or coxswain only need to complete those qualification tasks specific to operating a PWC. Complete or challenge a boating safety course. Complete swim task, Operations workshop, ICS 100 & ICS 700, ICS 200 & ICS 800 and a 8 hour TCT class. Complete Navigation Rules and Operations policy Exams. Complete Intro to Risk Management (10023) Complete Blood-Borne Pathogens course
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Annual | Must log Twelve hours underway on orders and may be satisfied while on any operational or training mission. |
Re-Qualification | Fails to meet currency requirement for one year or two consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency under the supervision of a certified coxswain. Fails to meet currency requirement for three consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency and complete a check ride signed off by certified coxswain if a QE is not reasonably available. Fails to meet currency requirement for four consecutive years may be recertified by meeting annual currency and complete a check ride signed off by a QE. Fails to meet currency requirement for five consecutive years will lose their qualification. |
Notes | Currency maintenance is carried out in a three-year cycle. Year three must be signed off by a QE. The PWC Operator must pass an open book Auxiliary Navigation Rules exam with a minimum score of 90%, complete a PFD swim, and maneuver through a buoyed slalom course. |
Mobile Radio
Ref: | Telecommunications Division, Comms Bulletin #8, Mobil Radio Patrol Requirements, April 2000 Auxiliary Rapid Response Team – Communications (ARRT-C), Bulletin #14 |
Primary Mission | Provide immediate land based communications support at the scene of a major incident involving the resources of the U. S. Coast Guard |
Qualification | Hand selected by DSO-CM, ADSO-CMW, and ADSO-CMP, passed the Auxiliary Specialty Course in Communications and qualified through ICS-200 within six months after joining the team. Complete Intro to Risk Management (10023) Complete Blood-Borne Pathogens course
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Annual | Attend mandatory training sessions, viewing the video shall constitute compliance |
Re-Qualification | None identified |
Notes | The above are specific to D11N Must have the required equipment, such as 2 meter radio, handheld radio (Marine Band), GPS receiver, compass, flashlight, Uniform, and personnel equipment (handheld direction finding system, extra batteries, Auxiliary Life Jacket, Foul Weather Gear, Rubber Boots, and etc.). |
Air Crew
Ref: | Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual, COMDTINST M16798.3 Coast Guard Auxiliary Air Operations Training Text, COMDTINST M16798.5 Auxiliary Air Crew Qualification Program, COMDTINST M16798.2 |
Primary Mission | Provide the Auxiliary pilot with a capable assistant during all phases of aviation missions. Such as observer, radio communications, weather gathering and recording, navigation in both visual and instrument meteorological conditions, and visual and instrument approaches to airports. |
Qualification | Aviation background, pass the medical screening process, and must first be certified as an Auxiliary air observer. Once certified as an observer, may proceed to Aircrew training which consists of satisfactory completion of the open book exam and a minimum of five hours of air crew flight training. Complete Intro to Risk Management (10023) Complete Blood-Borne Pathogens course
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Annual |
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Re-Qualification |
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Notes | Medical screening will be valid for 24 months for members 40 and older, and 36 months for members under 40. Members must have a valid medical screening on file to maintain their air crew certification. |