The International Certificate of Competence — Are You Eligible?

Many European countries require the skippers of pleasure boats to be able to provide evidence of their competence. It is generally useful, and in some countries† essential, to carry an ICC (International Certificate of Competence)

As an RYA recognised training centre we can carry out tests for the ICC for eligible candidates.

If you have successfully completed an RYA practical skipper course you can also apply for an ICC if you are eligible.

Here’s a brief guide to eligibility. There is a flowchart to check eligibility on the back of the ICC application form which is available here.

AGE
– You must be 16 years old or over.

NATIONALITY
– British national or resident (evidence of residence required for non-nationals)

– National of the USA or Canada

– National of non-UNECE country

The RYA cannot issue the ICC to the nationals of: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Nationals of these countries should speak to their national maritime authority.

Dual Nationality
Individuals with dual nationality may apply for the ICC if either nationality makes them eligible to do so. It should however be noted that the nationality recorded on the ICC will be the one which made the individual eligible only.

EVIDENCE OF COMPETENCE.
If you have already passed an RYA practical course, your course completion certificate or certificate of competence can help you to obtain an ICC.

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 and RYA Day Skipper certificates (or those above them in the RYA training schemes) can provide evidence of your competence for your ICC application.

Experienced skippers can also qualify for the ICC by successfully completing an assessment of their competence through a RYA recognised training centre, such as Aegean Sailing School, rather than having to attend a full RYA training course.
The syllabus for the ICC assessment is detailed on the ICC application form.

† Please note that holders of an RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate (or higher) do not require an ICC to sail or charter in Greece.