Certifications for marine service providers, by trade
California doesn't license hull divers, marine mechanics or marine electricians as such. What marinas and owners look for instead are a few industry certifications, plus federal rules for refrigerant work and for carrying passengers. Here is what each one is, who it's for and what it takes, from the certifiers' own pages.
Photo: Owen Sellwood on Unsplash
At a glance, by trade
| Required | Recognized, voluntary | |
|---|---|---|
| Hull cleaning | BMP training in Marina del Rey (2 years) and Santa Barbara (within 5 years); a diver card for the Marina del Rey ID; Port of San Diego BMP training form | Recreational scuba certification (recreational diving only). Employers must show each diver is trained and qualified for the work under Cal/OSHA's diving rules; commercial diver training or an ADCI card is the usual way |
| Marine mechanic | None found for engine work aboard | ABYC Marine Engines and Fuel Systems, Marine Systems; manufacturer training |
| Marine electrical | None found for work aboard; dock wiring is structure work | ABYC Marine Electrical, Advanced Marine Electrical, Marine Corrosion |
| Marine electronics | None found | NMEA Basic and Advanced MEI, NMEA 2000 installer |
| Refrigeration and A/C | EPA Section 608 for refrigerant work | ABYC A/C Refrigeration |
| Captains, deliveries | USCG license to carry passengers for hire | USCG license for deliveries (owners and insurers often ask) |
| Anyone operating a motorboat | California Boater Card, unless exempt |
ABYC certifications
The American Boat & Yacht Council writes the standards most US boats are built and wired to, and certifies technicians in them. Its certifications are Marine Standards, Marine Systems, Marine Corrosion, Marine Electrical, Advanced Marine Electrical, Marine Composites, A/C Refrigeration, Marine Engines and Fuel Systems, Service Management and USCG Recreational Boat Regulations.[1]
- Technician: pass the exam and have 2 years of work experience. For people who troubleshoot, repair or install on boats.
- Advisor: pass the exam. For people who advise but don't work on boats, such as surveyors.
- Certifications are active for 5 years. Renewal is a shorter recertification exam plus continuing education.
- Three or more certifications earn Master Technician (Service Management and USCG Recreational Boat Regulations don't count toward it).
[1] The Marine Electrical page lists the exam requirements for that certification.[2]
NMEA certifications (electronics)
The National Marine Electronics Association certifies installers of navigation and communication electronics and NMEA 2000 networks.[3]
- Basic Marine Electronics Installer: no prerequisite; one 8-hour day (live online or in person) and a 50-question open-book test, 80% to pass. Certificates expire after three years; renewal is an online test.[4]
- Advanced Marine Electronics Installer: requires the basic certificate and installation experience.[5]
Photo: Stuart Reece on Pexels
EPA Section 608 (refrigeration)
Anyone who maintains, services, repairs or disposes of equipment that could release refrigerant into the air needs EPA Section 608 certification. Apprentices are exempt while closely supervised by a certified technician. There are four types: Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure), Type III (low-pressure) and Universal. Section 608 certifications don't expire.[6] We found no EPA guidance specific to boats, so treat onboard refrigeration and A/C like any other equipment.
Hull cleaning: BMP training and dive cards
Marina del Rey requires BMP certification for everyone cleaning hulls in the water, valid two years, through a free County online course, and a diver certification card for the Commercial Services ID.[7] Santa Barbara asks for BMP training within the previous five years.[8] The Port of San Diego has each permitted business file a BMP training form for its divers.[9]
A harbor's card and BMP check is not diving safety training. When divers are employees, Cal/OSHA's diving rules require each diver to be “trained and qualified for the diving mode being used,” every team member trained in CPR, diver rescue and diving first aid, and a standby diver whenever someone is in the water.[11][12] There is no commercial diver license; a commercial diving school certificate or an ADCI card is the usual way to document training.[13] Santa Barbara City College's two-semester Marine Diving Technology certificate leads to the ADCI Entry Level Tender/Diver card.[10] See starting a hull-cleaning business.
USCG captain's licenses
A Coast Guard credential is needed to carry passengers for hire: anyone aboard for whom payment is made, directly or indirectly, as a condition of carriage.[14] The entry-level license, Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV, the "six-pack"), covers up to six passengers for hire on uninspected vessels; Master licenses cover inspected vessels.[15]
California Boater Card
Since January 1, 2025, everyone operating a motorized boat on California waters must carry a California Boater Card. That includes mechanics doing sea trials and detailers moving a boat to the pump-out. Holders of a valid Coast Guard marine operator's license are exempt.[16]
What California doesn't license
We found no California license for hull cleaning, engine repair aboard or onboard electrical work. One maritime attorney's view is that contractor licensing doesn't apply to boats, because boats are personal property.[17] Dock and pier work, including shore-power wiring on the dock, is work on a structure.
Sources
- American Boat & Yacht Council. Certification program.
- American Boat & Yacht Council. Marine Electrical certification.
- National Marine Electronics Association. Training and certification.
- National Marine Electronics Association. Basic Marine Electronics Installer.
- National Marine Electronics Association. Advanced Marine Electronics Installer.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Section 608 technician certification requirements.
- Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors. Hull cleaning in Marina del Rey.
- City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department. Business Activity Permit Policy (Revised 2026) (2026).
- Port of San Diego. In-Water Hull Cleaning BMP Plan Verification and Training Form.
- Santa Barbara City College. Marine Diving Technology program.
- California Department of Industrial Relations (Cal/OSHA). Title 8 §6052, Diving Operations: general requirements.
- California Department of Industrial Relations (Cal/OSHA). Title 8 §6056, Diving Operations: SCUBA and hookah diving.
- U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Standard interpretation: commercial diver training and certification (no US licensing program) (March 29, 2000).
- U.S. Code (via Cornell LII). 46 U.S.C. §2101, General definitions (passenger for hire).
- U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center. Charter boat captain (OUPV) credential.
- California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways. DBW reminds boaters of California law to obtain and carry a California Boater Card (June 28, 2022).
- The Log. Does a boat repair professional need a contractor's license? (Ask the Attorney) (December 18, 2015).