California Code of Regulations › Title 14 - Natural Resources › Division 4 - Division of Boating and Waterways › Chapter 1 - Division of Boating and Waterways › Article 7 - For Hire Vessel Operator's License › Section 7501 - Requirements for Examination

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
(a) Prior to the issuance of a For-Hire
				  Vessel Operator's License, every applicant shall meet the following
				  requirements:
(1) Have attained the age of
				  eighteen (18) years.
(2) Show
				  evidence of at least one year's experience in operating the type of motorboat
				  or motor vessel for which the applicant requests license to operate, on the
				  type of water for which applicant requests license to operate.
(A) (Reserved)
(B) Other experience or training, which in
				  the judgment of the Department is a reasonable equivalent, may be
				  substituted.
(3) Furnish
				  information to the Department on forms provided by the Department regarding the
				  following:
(A) Name, address, date and place
				  of birth, and description of applicant.
(B) Type of vessel the applicant requests
				  license to operate.
(C) Waters on
				  which applicant requests license to operate.
(D) Statement as to physical
				  defects.
(E) Statement of
				  experience and training in vessel operation.
(F) Certified statements regarding
				  applicant's boat handling ability and moral character from three persons having
				  knowledge of these matters but who are not members of the applicant's
				  family.
(G) Certification of the
				  truth of the statements submitted in his application.
(H) Applicant's
				  signature.
(4) Submit a
				  report, on forms provided by the Department, of a medical examination by a
				  licensed physician within sixty (60) days of the date of application
				  indicating:
(A) Diseases and other physical
				  or mental defects. Conditions such as epilepsy, insanity, senility, acute
				  general disease or neurosyphilis, badly impaired hearing, or other defect that
				  would render the applicant incompetent to perform the ordinary duties of a
				  licensed operator are grounds for refusal to issue a license.
(B) Possession, either with or without
				  glasses, of at least 20/20 vision in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other.
				  The applicant who wears glasses, however, must also be able to pass a test
				  without glasses of at least 20/100 in both eyes.
(C) Unimpaired color sense as tested by a
				  test utilized by the U.S. Coast Guard to determine color sense, or a similar
				  test. This requirement may be waived if the operation of vessels for which the
				  license is sought will be limited to hours of daylight; provided that any
				  license issued on the basis of such waiver will be limited to operation of
				  vessels during hours of daylight.
(D) Any of the requirements of this
				  subdivision (4) may be waived where the Department determines that because of
				  exceptional and unusual experience and skill or because of other unusual
				  qualifications, the applicant evidences that he is a reliable and competent
				  operator of the type of vessel for which he requests license to operate, on the
				  water on which he requests license to operate. In granting any such waiver, the
				  Department may impose such restrictions, limitations and conditions on the
				  operation of for-hire vessels by such applicant as the Department deems
				  necessary for the safety and protection of all persons carried on board such
				  vessels.
(5) Successfully
				  complete a written test of knowledge of factors affecting boat operation,
				  including:
(A) State laws and regulations
				  governing operation and equipment of undocumented vessels.
(B) Fire protection measures.
(C) Vessel and motor maintenance.
(D) Navigational aids.
(E) Safe operation of motorboats.
(F) First aid and life saving
				  measures.
(6) In addition
				  to the above requirements, an actual demonstration of the applicant's ability
				  to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in operating a vessel may also be
				  required.