- NM1N here means National Master 100 NC: Master Near Coastal, less than 100 GRT, issued through the U.S. Coast Guard.
- The full exam draws on five modules: Q100, Q160, Q161, Q162 and Q163.
- Your required modules depend on your route, such as a raise of grade or an increase in scope.
- Q165 is a separate raise-of-grade module for OUPV-to-Master Near Coastal; it is not one of the original five.
What the NM1N Actually Is
If you have searched "NM1N" and landed on conflicting results, you are not alone. The acronym is shared by several unrelated credentials. On this site, NM1N means National Master 100 NC: the Master Near Coastal, less than 100 gross register tons (GRT), mariner credential examined through the U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center (NMC).
In practical terms, it is a licensing track for mariners who want to command smaller vessels operating in near coastal waters. Passing the required examination modules is one part of a larger application package. If you have seen this acronym defined differently elsewhere, our companion explainers on what NM1N stands for and the NM1N meaning cover the naming question directly.
Who Governs It and What It Authorizes
The governing body is the United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center. The NMC publishes examination guides, module-topic catalogs, and the approval process that determines which tests an individual applicant must take.
The credential itself concerns a Master's endorsement for near coastal service on vessels under 100 GRT. Two details matter for candidates:
- The exam is route-dependent. The modules you sit depend on your existing credential and the pathway you are using.
- Approval comes first. You test with individual approval from the NMC, not by simply showing up and choosing modules.
For eligibility questions such as sea service and prerequisites, see our guide to NM1N requirements. Because fees and processing mechanics vary by application, we deliberately avoid quoting one universal figure; the NM1N certification cost breakdown explains how to think about costs without assuming a single number.
The Five Exam Modules
The original full examination for Master Near Coastal less than 100 GRT is built from five modules. They are named by their NMC module codes and subject headings.
| Domain | Module | Core Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rules of the Road: International and Inland (Q100) | COLREGS, Inland Navigational Rules, watchkeeping |
| 2 | Deck General (Q160) | Seamanship, maneuvering, emergencies, fire, lifesaving, communications |
| 3 | Deck Safety (Q161) | Stability, construction, damage control, emergency response |
| 4 | Navigation General: Near Coastal (Q162) | Piloting, compasses, aids to navigation, weather, tides |
| 5 | Navigation Problems: Chart Plot (Q163) | Chart work: fixes, bearings, distance off, dead reckoning |
Why There Is No Single "NM1N Exam"
Many candidates assume one fixed test exists. In reality, the NMC structures testing by pathway, and the five modules above are the original full-exam set rather than a universal requirement for everyone.
| Pathway | Modules Referenced |
|---|---|
| Original full Master Near Coastal <100 GRT exam | Q100, Q160, Q161, Q162, Q163 |
| Increase in scope (Great Lakes/Inland to Near Coastal), per the published guide | Q160 + Q162, plus Q100 where a COLREGS limitation applies |
| Raise of grade, OUPV to Master Near Coastal <100 | Q165 (Navigation and Deck General/Safety), a separate module |
Do not add these pathways together. A mariner pursuing an increase in scope does not also owe the full five-module set, and an OUPV raise-of-grade candidate is not simply adding Q165 on top of the original five. Confirm exactly which modules your approval letter lists before you start studying.
Because official percentage weights are not published for these modules, any claim that a given domain is "30% of the exam" is unsupported. Treat the modules as unweighted preparation groups tied to your route.
Question Style and Format
The module-topic catalog tells you a lot about what to expect. The exam blends two distinct skill types:
- Knowledge questions on rules, seamanship, safety, and navigation concepts, where you must recall regulations and recognize correct procedures.
- Applied problem solving, especially in Q163, where you work chart plotting problems: determining a fix, running fix, distance off, and dead reckoning positions.
Rather than quoting a universal time limit, question count, or fee, which the facts here do not support, check your individual approval and the current published NMC module-topic index for the conditions of your own sitting. The examination guide this article relies on reflects regulations effective March 24, 2014, so use it alongside current NMC publications rather than as a brand-new universal specification. For how scoring thresholds work, see the NM1N passing score guide, and for realistic difficulty expectations, how hard the NM1N exam is.
Concrete Topics You Must Master
Rules of the Road (Q100)
This module centers on rules that govern vessel behavior on the water.
- International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)
- Inland Navigational Rules
- Watchkeeping responsibilities
Deck General (Q160)
The broadest module by topic count, covering practical vessel operation.
- Seamanship, marlinspike seamanship, and purchases, blocks and tackle
- Vessel maneuvering and handling: turn circle, pivot point, advance and transfer, wake reduction
- Emergencies: collision, fire or explosion, abandon ship, rescuing survivors, temporary repairs
- Fire chemistry and firefighting: classes and chemistry of fire, prevention and appliances
- Lifesaving appliance operation and survival at sea
- Communications, radiotelephone, small engine operations and maintenance, ship's business, and certificates and documents required
Deck Safety (Q161)
Safety, structure, and the stability fundamentals tested for this credential.
- Stability, construction, and damage control; trim and stability
- Principles of vessel construction
- Man overboard procedures and emergency towing
- Passenger and crew safety in emergencies
- Firefighting appliances and small engine operations
Navigation General: Near Coastal (Q162)
The conceptual side of navigation.
- Piloting, dead reckoning, distance off, bearing problems, and fixes
- Magnetic compass principles, compass error, correction, and determination of compass error
- Aids to navigation, charts, navigation publications, and Notices to Mariners
- Meteorology and oceanography: weather systems, ocean currents, weather charts and reports, tides and tidal currents
Chart Plot (Q163)
The hands-on plotting module, where accuracy and method matter.
- Fix or running fix and bearing problems
- Distance off and dead reckoning
- Chart navigation, electronic navigation, and instruments and accessories
- Charts, navigation publications, and Notices to Mariners
Key Takeaway
Q162 and Q163 overlap heavily in subject matter but differ in skill: Q162 tests what you know about navigation, while Q163 tests whether you can plot it. Practice both the theory and the pencil-and-chart work. A one-page review sheet helps consolidate formulas and definitions.
Who Hires Near Coastal Masters
A Master Near Coastal under 100 GRT endorsement is a working credential, relevant to employers operating smaller commercial vessels along the coast. The kinds of operations that typically look for such mariners include:
- Charter and passenger vessel operators running coastal trips
- Towing and assist operators working near shore
- Workboat and crew-boat operators supporting coastal and harbor work
- Fishing and dive-support operations that require a licensed master
- Commercial and recreational boat operators needing a credentialed captain
We avoid quoting specific pay figures because they vary widely by employer, region, and vessel type. To explore the market in more detail, read about NM1N jobs, the NM1N salary guide, and whether the certification is worth it for your situation.
Sequencing Your Preparation
Because each module draws on different skills, order matters. Here is one way to sequence a route that includes the full five modules; adjust it to the modules your own approval lists.
Rules of the Road (Q100)
- Start here: the rules feed directly into watchkeeping and maneuvering questions later
- Drill COLREGS and Inland rules side by side
Deck General (Q160)
- Cover seamanship, emergencies, fire, and lifesaving in manageable chunks
- Reserve time for maneuvering concepts like pivot point and turn circle
Deck Safety (Q161)
- Focus on stability, trim, and damage control while Q160 emergency topics are fresh
Navigation (Q162 then Q163)
- Learn compass error and charts before plotting
- Spend the final weeks on timed chart-plot practice
For a fuller plan, including how to handle the practice problems, see the NM1N study guide. When you are ready to test yourself, try the NM1N practice tests and use them to find weak modules early. You can also look at what the pass-rate data shows, and check exam dates and scheduling before committing to a timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
It refers to National Master 100 NC, the U.S. Coast Guard Master Near Coastal, less than 100 GRT, credential. It is not any other certification that happens to share the abbreviation.
The original full exam uses Q100 (Rules of the Road), Q160 (Deck General), Q161 (Deck Safety), Q162 (Navigation General: Near Coastal), and Q163 (Navigation Problems: Chart Plot). Your required modules depend on your pathway.
Not part of the original five. Q165 (Navigation and Deck General/Safety) is a separate module used in the OUPV-to-Master Near Coastal under 100 raise-of-grade route.
No. Official percentage weights are not published for these modules, so treat each module in your route as equally important and prepare broadly.
Start with our overview pages on what NM1N certification is and NM1N training, then confirm current details directly with the Coast Guard National Maritime Center.