Japan Boat License

Next Class 1 & 2 English Exams to be held on Oct 22, 2008. Prep classes will be held starting in late Sept or early Oct.

Click here for details.

For the OFFICIAL skinny on the licensing requirements at the Japan Maritime Recreational Association (JMRA) site,

click here.

About the Japan Class 1 & 2 Boat License

(Officially: Certificate of Competency for Small Vessel Operator)

Notice: The previous system of four license categories has been changed to two types of licenses that affect small boat operators, including motor-powered sailboats.

We recommend that you join our e-mail list — see below — to stay abreast of the latest Class 1&2 developments, including the next date for the English-langage exams .

The Japan Class 2 License for watercraft operation (formerly Class IV) allows a skipper to pilot up to a 5-ton vessel up to 5 nautical miles offshore.

The Japan Class 1 License for watercraft operation allows a skipper to pilot up to a 20-ton vessel over 20 nautical miles offshore. If you already possess a valid Class 2 license you can upgrade to a Class 1 if desired.

The tests to obtain the license are managed by the Japan Maritime Recreational Association (JMRA), and are held in English in Tokyo approximately twice each year.

The TSPS provides materials that cover the topics of both the Class 2 and Class1 tests. We hold a series of study sessions to prepare you for taking either the Class 2 or the Class 1 written and under way practical tests. These study sessions are held in the weeks preceding the test dates set by the JMRA.

SPECIAL NOTE:
The Class 2 license does NOT qualify you to jet ski in Japan.
A separate written exam is required for jet skiers, including demonstration of competence as part of an on-the-water practical exam.

The Class 2 examination process consists of a written exam and a practical on-the-water exam (consisting of maneuvering a boat similar to the one pictured above) on the water.

For Class 1 & 2 TSPS offers English-language manuals and classroom instruction to pass the English version of the written exams. For Class 2 we also provide one-day, on-the-water training to help students prepare for the practical test. (If a student fails or misses either test for any reason, he or she may attend our next classroom sessions at no extra cost.)

We also direct you through the registration procedure, and will supply forms, etc. for you to submit, according to the timetable announced by JMRA.

JMRA often gives relatively short notice before offering the test in English. We recommend that you join our "TSPS Friends" mailing list to receive announcements on course availability, as well as our other functions open to non-members.

For more Information on the Class 1&2 preparation course, please contact our Chief Instructor.

To join the TSPS Friends mailing list to receive announcements on courses, events and activities, go here.

You must be a TSPS member to participate in all but the Class 1 & 2 study sessions, the USPS Boat Smart course, and our monthly "Keelhaul" get-togethers. Boat Smart, which is required as part of the TSPS membership application process, is also a study-at-home course, and can be requested here.