Advice on Commercial KY Guide license

[JoeB]

The license you need on Cumb. isn't actually a six pack license. It's a "uninspected vessel for hire" license that the USCG basically made up a few years back. It doesn't require that you go to school, just that you pass a test. State F&W was able to give the test a few years ago. I don't know if they still can or not. If not, you'll have to go to the testing center in Memphis to take the test. As has been stated, they will also require that you go through CPR, First Aid, send in a physical, drug testing, eye exam, and paperwork documenting that you have x number of hours "operating a vessel at sea", which of course nobody on Cumb. has, but you still have to attest to that. You will have to travel to Louisville USCG to be fingerprinted and take an oath swearing that you will obey the martime laws of the US and obey your "commander" at all times. (I asked if he meant my wife and he snarled at me like all federal employees are trained to do) I think the cost is $150.00 per five years.
You will also need a state license. It is $150.00 per year and if you already have your coast guard document, the only other thing they require is a background check. $10.00 at the judicial building in Frankfort.
Then you need the TWIC card that was mentioned earlier. With a USCG document it cost's $105.00 per five years. Biggest pain about that is that you have to drive to New Albany, IN to apply for it. You then have to drive back to New Albany to pick it up as they won't mail them to you. As fishing guides are concerned, this card serves no purpose what so ever, but you have to have it or they will pull your USCG papers.
All this to guide on a lake that is no more "navagatable" than a big farm pond. Your government spending your tax dollars wisely.

[PRO V LE]

Thank's JoeB for the info and update. I looked into it several years ago not to make a living at it but to help out some guides when they had a large group booked and all the boats were full.

[Dave Stewart]

Actually the license you need now is the OUPV license and no you do not have to go to school to take the test....but try passing the test without going to school and you will not be happy when you get the results..things have changed since the days you could take the state safe boaters course test from the KDFWR and the Coast Guard would accept that as your test. I went to school to prepare for the test myself and I can tell you, there is no way I would have passed that test without some classroom time in preparing for it. Just do a Google search on OUPV license and you will find out what you really need to do.