USCG Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the USCG exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
USCG exam key facts
- On the USCG OUPV Near Coastal exam, candidates must score 90% on Rules of the Road and the Chart Plot module and 70% on the Deck General/Safety and Navigation General modules. Source
- A candidate who fails one or two sections of a USCG license exam may retest those sections twice within 3 months, while failing three or more sections requires a complete re-examination. Source
- A USCG Merchant Mariner Credential is valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. Source
📋 USCG Exam Format at a Glance
📚 USCG Topics to Study (25)
✍️ Sample USCG Questions & Answers
1. What are the three elements of the fire triangle?
The fire triangle consists of fuel (combustible material), heat (ignition source), and oxygen; removing any one element will extinguish the fire.
2. What is the primary purpose of the Oil Record Book?
The Oil Record Book is a legal document required by MARPOL and U.S. law to record all oil transfers, bilge discharges, and oily water separator operations, subject to USCG inspection.
3. Under COLREGS, what action shall the stand-on vessel take when a collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone?
COLREGS Rule 17 allows the stand-on vessel, when collision cannot otherwise be avoided, to take whatever action will best aid in avoiding collision.
4. What does the COSPAS-SARSAT system primarily do?
COSPAS-SARSAT is an international satellite-based search and rescue system that detects and locates distress signals from 406 MHz emergency beacons.
5. What information must be included in a MAYDAY distress call?
A MAYDAY call must include the word MAYDAY spoken three times, vessel name, position, nature of distress, number of persons aboard, and any other information helpful to rescuers.
6. In a ship's electrical system, what is the purpose of a bus bar?
A bus bar is a metallic conductor that acts as a common connection point distributing electrical power from generators to various shipboard circuits.
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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- dco.uscg.mil — Test delivery, registration deadline, passing score, exam information · verified Oct 2026
- ecfr.gov — Eligibility, score validity, retake policy, test dates, renewal, fees · verified Oct 2026