In the Czech Republic, there are several types of licences depending on the type of vessel and where you plan to navigate. To help you get started, we’ve put together a clear overview of the main skipper’s licences — whether you’re heading out on inland waterways like rivers and lakes, or planning to sail at sea. We’ll also explain which licence you need to operate a ship’s radio, outline the latest changes to administrative fees (effective from 1 January 2025), and walk you through what to expect from both the theoretical and practical exams.
Vesselmaster (VMP) - inland waters licence
It’s not just the open sea that offers unforgettable experiences — rivers and lakes have their own unique charm. And whether you're navigating inland waterways or the ocean, a responsible skipper needs the same level of preparation, equipment, and sense of direction.
If you plan to navigate rivers, lakes, or other inland waterways — including those within the Czech Republic — you’ll need a Small Vessel Pilot’s Licence (VMP), issued by the State Navigation Administration. This licence allows you to operate recreational vessels up to 20 metres in length.
There are two main VMP categories based on the type of vessel:
- M – Motorboats
- S – Sailboats
Each category can be obtained in two variants:
- M20 or S20 – with limitations (up to 20 kW engine power or up to 20 m² sail area)
- M or S – without limitations on power or sail size
To earn a VMP without limitations, you must pass both a theoretical test and a practical water-based exam to demonstrate your handling skills.
Using the VMP abroad
With an additional endorsement known as MPZ C, the VMP can be extended to allow limited sea navigation — specifically, within 1 nautical mile from the shore during daylight hours. While this is a useful option for short coastal outings, it comes with significant restrictions. If you're planning a proper sea voyage, it's definitely worth obtaining a higher-level skipper's licence, which we'll cover in the next section.
Sea skipper's licences (Master of a sea yacht)
With courage, skill, and responsibility, anyone can be a captain. A good skipper handles the yacht confidently — even in the toughest conditions.
In the Czech Republic, sea navigation licences — officially known as Master of a Sea Yacht certificates (commonly referred to as "skipper’s licences" ) — are issued by the Maritime Authority of the Ministry of Transport. These certificates are internationally recognised and valid worldwide. There are three levels of certification based on the distance you’re allowed to sail from the coast:
For sea navigation in the Czech Republic, skipper's licences are issued by the Master of a Sea Yacht (sometimes inaccurately called skipper's licences). They are issued by the Maritime Authority of the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic and are internationally recognised throughout the world. There are three grades according to the range of navigation:
- Category C (Master of a Coastal Yacht): Allows you to skipper a yacht up to 16 metres in length within 20 nautical miles (NM) of the coast, in conditions up to Beaufort force 6.Note: This licence is not valid for inland waters. It is issued for 10 years, after which it must be renewed.
- Category B (Master of a Sea Yacht): Expands your range to 200 NM from the coast, and yachts up to 24 metres long, with no weather restrictions. This licence is intended for more experienced skippers. To qualify, you must already hold a C licence, and log at least: 1,000 NM as skipper, plus 1,500 NM under the supervision of a Category B skipper. Many sailors complete these miles during training or conditioning cruises.
- Category A (Ocean Master): The highest certification, with no distance limits for ocean sailing. Also valid for yachts up to 24 metres. This licence requires significant offshore experience, typically including long-distance ocean crossings. It’s usually pursued only by very advanced, professional-level skippers.
How do you get a Master of a Sea Yacht licence?
The process of earning a skipper’s licence (often called a Yachtmaster licence) involves both theory and hands-on training:
- Start with a theoretical course – You’ll learn the basics of navigation, meteorology, safety at sea, and maritime regulations.
- Complete practical training at sea – This usually takes the form of a week-long practice cruise, often held in Croatia or another popular sailing destination.
- Pass a final theory exam – This is conducted before an official examination board.
At Yachting.com, we offer all parts of the process — from theoretical courses and training cruises to support with exam preparation.
Once you’ve successfully completed both the theory and practical components, you’ll receive the necessary documentation:
- A certificate of passing the theoretical exam
- A practical training report (logbook confirmation)
These are then submitted to the Ministry of Transport, which will issue your official skipper’s licence.
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Radiotelephone operator's licence (ship's radio)
Radiotelephonist's licence - the necessary authorisation for the use of the ship's VHF radio. No skipper sailing in international or offshore waters can do without it.
Another necessary document for driving a sea yacht is a licence to operate a ship's radio station or a radiotelephonist's licence. This is the international Short Range Certificate (SRC ) for VHF marine radios with DSC. The licence is required by many countries and charter companies - for example, in Croatia, a radio licence is compulsory for the skipper. Please note: a Czech C or B maritime licence does not in itself include radio operating privileges, so you must have an SRC certificate separately.
The radio operator's licence is obtained after passing an examination at the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU). We recommend that you start with a preparatory course on the radio station (you will learn how to use the radio and the necessary English communication). Then you can apply for the exam at the CTU. The theoretical exam at the CTU consists of a written and an oral part.
The written test consists of three sets of questions (20 + 40 + 20 questions in total) in multiple-choice format; you can have a maximum of 10% incorrect answers in each set. In the oral test, you will demonstrate your knowledge of the maritime spelling alphabet, your ability to construct a sample radio message and your understanding of the English text.
The test takes place directly at the Czech Telecommunications Office in Prague (Sokolovská 58/219, 190 00 Prague 9 - Vysočany). View on map
The CTU radio examinations are held frequently and dates and other information, including the application form, can be found on the CTU website.
TIP YACHTING.COM: Read more about the course on the radio
The course of final examinations
You can't do it without theory - every skipper has to pass an exam, which tests knowledge of navigation, rules, safety and meteorology. The real sea starts on paper.
Obtaining a skipper's licence requires passing a final theory exam and a practical test on a boat. The theoretical exam is held before a committee of the Ministry of Transport (Maritime Authority) and tests your knowledge in all areas of sailing theory. The exam starts with a written navigation example - for example, you have to determine your position using bearings and working with a chart (60 minutes for level C, 90 minutes for level B).
This is followed by an oral exam: it covers maritime regulations and COLREG, navigation, nautical science, meteorology, maritime English and also health science. If you should happen to fail one of the topics, you repeat only that subject in the next exam, not everything from the beginning. The good news: you will find out your results on the spot after the assessment.
You takethe practical test during the practical training at sea. The emphasis is on safe boat handling - for example, manoeuvres in port (sailing and landing), reading navigational charts and instruments, MOB - man overboard - procedures , dealing with emergency situations, working with sails and engine, navigating by GPS and compass, etc.
You will demonstrate that you can steer and manoeuvre the boat safely in various situations. This will give you a certificate of passing the practical test on a yacht (confirmed by the instructor or an authorised examiner). The protocol is one of the annexes to the application for a skipper's licence.
Application and current fees (2025)
Captain's license - the basic document of every skipper of a yacht. It opens the way to the sea and confirms knowledge and responsibility. With it, every adventure begins.
Once you have successfully completed all the tests (theoretical and practical) and you have passed your medical examination, all you have to do is apply to the Ministry of Transport for a licence. The application must be accompanied by the specified documents - completed forms (application for the test and application for the licence), proof of your experience (practical test report for the C licence, plus proof of miles logged for the B licence), a medical certificate of fitness and a passport-size photograph. The standard administrative fee for issuing a licence is CZK 500.
As of 1 January 2025, the administrative fee will no longer be paid in stamps as before. You no longer need to enclose stamps with your application - after submitting your application, you will receive payment details by email from Ministry of Transport and pay the 500 CZK fee by bank transfer. This change applies to administrative fees in general (the use of paper stamps is abolished) and makes the application process easier.
The completed application with attachments can be submitted in person to the Maritime Authority (Ministry of Transport) or sent by registered mail. The address for sending the application is: Ministry of Transport - Maritime Office, nábř. The processing time is usually within 30 days. The Ministry will send you the finished skipper's licence by post to your address.
