Harbor Pilots – FAQs

To qualify to take the state pilot examination an individual must meet certain basic criteria:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Have successfully completed 12 years of formal education.
• Must pass a complete physical examination, including a drug test, within the preceding six months. To maintain eligibility as a licensed state pilot, each licensed state pilot must annually provide documentary proof of having satisfactorily passed a complete physical examination administered by a licensed physician.
• Have at least two years of service as a deputy pilot in the port in which licensure is desired during the period immediately preceding the licensure examination.
• At the time of application, each applicant must have a valid United States Coast Guard first-class unlimited pilot’s license, covering all of the waters of the port in which licensure is desired and must have successfully completed the board-approved deputy pilot training program in the port in which licensure is desired.

Please refer to Chapter 310, Florida Statutes, for a complete list of requirements.

To take the deputy pilot’s examination an individual must meet certain basic criteria:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Have successfully completed 12 years of formal education.
• Must pass a complete physical examination, including a drug test, within the preceding 6 months.
• Have maritime experience satisfactory to the board prior to taking the examination as evidenced by documentation of maritime service while holding a United States Coast Guard license.

The initial certificate issued to a deputy pilot shall be valid for a period of 12 months and at the end of this period, the certificate shall automatically expire and shall not be renewed. Upon receipt of a favorable recommendation by the board, the department shall issue a certificate to the deputy pilot, which shall be valid for a period of two years. The certificate may be renewed only two times, except in the case of a fully licensed pilot who is cross- licensed as a deputy pilot in another port.

Please refer to Chapter 310, Florida Statutes, for a complete list of requirements.

Examinations are generally given in March of each year if a port has declared an opening. The application deadline is generally in December.  If a port declares an emergency, the examination can be administered at other times during the year.  This information will be updated on the Board’s main page, Hot Topics/Important Information.

Information regarding openings will be available on the Board’s main page, Hot Topics/Important Information. The port openings are announced in September or October of each year.

No, you must complete the application yourself and have your physical prior to the deadline. You may submit your application prior to the deadline if you anticipate being at sea.

The fee for the examination is $200, which is non-refundable.

• A port declares a vacancy for deputy pilot.
• An applicant for licensure must submit an application, appropriate fees and required documentation.
• When the application is complete, it is reviewed by the Board for approval to take the examination.
• The applicant successfully completes the examination.
• The Secretary of the Department awards the position to one of the top five candidates.
• After successful completion of the deputy pilot program, a deputy pilot can apply for the State pilot examination.

• Failure to provide proof of required training and experience.
• Prior disciplinary or criminal history.

No, applications are only accepted when there has been a declared opening.

Three types of addresses have been established to support your needs: main, license mailing, and license location.

• Main Address – This address is the primary address on file.
• License Mailing Address – This is the address where the mail associated with a particular license will be sent (if different from the main or license location addresses).
• License Location Address – This is the address where the place of business is physically located.

An example of the use of different addresses: If Jane Doe is a contractor that works for ACME Builders, she may have 3 different addresses listed in her profile. Her main address would be the address of ACME Builders’ corporate headquarters. Her license mailing may be her home so she doesn’t have to visit the office to pick up her mail. Finally, her License Location would be the address of the ACME Builders’ local office where she works. If Jane Doe worked independently, she might have only one address on file (Main Address) as her office is the same place she wishes to receive her mail.

The main address and license mailing address can be changed online for all license types. License location addresses can also be changed online except for barbershops, cosmetology salons, veterinary establishments, and talent agencies. The location for these license types is tied to the license so a location change will require submission of a new application.

You may submit the change in writing or by fax to:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Central Intake Unit – License Maintenance
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Fax: 850.488.8040