INTERNATIONAL BOATING LICENSE

Do I need an international boating license to charter in the Mediterranean?

In many Mediterranean destinations, yes. Charter companies and local authorities often require a boating license for bareboat chartering, regardless of how much prior experience you have.

Is the NauticEd SLC accepted in Europe?

Yes. The NauticEd SLC is accepted by charter companies and authorities in license-required destinations across Europe, including Croatia and Greece.

Is the SLC accepted in Croatia?

Yes. The NauticEd SLC is officially listed by the Croatian Ministry as an accepted certification for chartering in Croatia.

Is the SLC accepted in Greece?

Yes. The NauticEd SLC is accepted by charter companies operating in Greece and is used for license-based chartering there.

Which charter companies accept the SLC?

Major global charter companies, including The Moorings and Sunsail, recognize and accept the NauticEd SLC for bareboat chartering.

Is NauticEd legitimate?

Yes. NauticEd operates under the U.S. Coast Guard established American National Standards through NASBLA, and the SLC includes online verification, documented experience, theory testing, and practical assessment.

• This international proclamation document shows that the authority NASBLA is the sole agency in charge of issuing boating licenses in the USA.
• This official verification letter shows that NASBLA recognizes and awards NauticEd as meeting the American National Standards for sailing training and assessment.
• This NASBLA-verified course approval website lists the USA sailing and boating bodies (including NauticEd) that conform to the US Coast Guard approved American National Standard.

What is the NauticEd SLC?

The SLC, or Sailing License and Credentials, is a recreational boating license for international chartering. The SLC is for sailing, and the SLC-p is the powerboating version.

Is the SLC a license or a certification?

The SLC is a boating license backed by training, logged experience, and practical skill validation, rather than a simple certificate of course completion.

What is the difference between the SLC and the ICC?

The ICC is a separate European certificate of competence. The NauticEd SLC is aligned with international licensing expectations and accepted by charter companies in many of the same destinations.

What is the difference between the SLC and the IPC?

The IPC is a certificate based primarily on course completion. The SLC goes further as a license by requiring logged experience and a practical on-the-water assessment.

What exactly is required to earn the SLC?

You must complete the required online course bundle, log at least 50 days of qualifying boating experience, complete an on-the-water assessment, upload your government boating credential where required, upload a photo, and pay the license issuance fee.

What courses are required?

To begin the SLC pathway, you complete the Bareboat Charter Master bundle of courses for sailing or the Bareboat Charter Master bundle for powerboating, depending on the type of chartering you plan to do.

Do I need to take a separate SLC exam?

Yes. In addition to the course testing, the SLC requires that holders complete a separate, independent 100-question test based on international standards.

How much boating experience is required?

You must log at least 50 days of qualifying boating experience in your NauticEd digital logbook - with 25 days minimum as master of the vessel and 25 days minimum on a vessel greater than 28 ft (8.5 m).

What counts toward the 50 days of boating experience?

Your logged days should reflect relevant experience on boats of a similar size and type to what you intend to charter. The goal is to document real experience that supports safe bareboat chartering.

What if I do not yet have enough boating experience?

If you do not yet have enough experience for the SLC, contact NauticEd to discuss, since there may be different options. Otherwise, we suggest hiring a local captain or instructor to help you gain qualifying time.

Can I add a catamaran qualification or endorsement to my SLC?

Yes. If you complete the online Catamaran course and log experience on a catamaran 38 ft or larger, you can receive a catamaran qualification on your SLC. To add a Catamaran Endorsement, you must also complete an on-water catamaran skills assessment with a catamaran-qualified SLC assessor.

What is the on-the-water assessment?

The assessment is a practical skills validation with a NauticEd-approved instructor or assessor. It is designed to confirm your real-world ability as a skipper, including boat handling, navigation, and decision-making.

How long does the on-the-water assessment take?

An assessment usually takes about a day: roughly 6 hours for highly experienced sailors and 4 hours for highly experienced powerboaters. If your skills are rusty or weak in some areas, speak with the instructor-assessor about some preliminary training or practice before the assessment.

Is there a NauticEd instructor near me?

Usually, yes. NauticEd has instructors across the USA, Canada, and worldwide, and can usually connect you with one near you.

Do I need a government boating safety certificate??

Yes. You must upload your government boating safety certificate, such as a U.S. state boater card, Canadian PCOC, or equivalent local certificate, where required.

Why do I need to upload a photo?

A photo is required so NauticEd can issue your SLC credential.

Is there a separate license fee?

Yes. After completing the requirements, there is a $95 license issuance fee for the SLC.

What about VHF requirements?

Some charter destinations, especially Croatia, require VHF radio operator documentation in addition to your boating license. When you complete the NauticEd Bareboat Charter course, a VHF endorsement is added to your NauticEd certificate, and the SLC also shows a VHF-cleared stamp. For Croatia specifically, NauticEd strongly recommends also obtaining your country’s formal VHF operator license, such as the FCC license for U.S. citizens or the MROC for Canadian citizens.

How long does it take to earn the SLC?

That depends on your existing experience. Many people begin immediately with the online training and complete the process at their own pace, while the on-the-water assessment itself is typically completed in one day.

Do I need prior experience?

Yes. The SLC is based on real boating competence, which includes logged boating experience as well as practical validation on the water.

What if I already have boating or sailing experience?

You can log your existing experience in the NauticEd system and then complete whatever remaining training, assessment, or documentation is still needed.

Does the SLC expire?

Yes. The SLC is valid for 3 years and can be renewed by meeting simple recency requirements and maintaining your knowledge.

What is required to keep my license active?

To renew, you must (1) log 10 days in the past 2 years or 5 days in the past 1 year (2) pass a free 100-question online test (3) pay a $45 renewal fee. There is no on-water practical assessment to renew.