We are regularly asked by students about for information about assessment invigilation and Commercial Endorsements, so we put together a question and answer page to help you demystify the requirements. To ensure that our
information remains current and completely up to date, we communicate regularly with the RYA and are compliant with their requirements. We cannot guarantee that other online providers do the same, so please do check directly with the
RYA if you are unsure.
What is a Commercial Endorsement, do I need one and how do it arrange it?
A commercial endorsement will be required if you intend to work onboard British flagged vessels which are subject to the MCA's codes of practice for small commercial vessels. A number of additional training courses and medical fitness certificates are
required to be eligible for a commercial endorsement. For full information to check which certificates may be commercially endorsed, details concerning additional courses to be completed and fitness certificates.
The RYA Certificates of Competency are recognised as a pathway for commericial operation of sailing and motor yachts in several national jurisdictions including Australia and New Zealand. Not all of these jurisdictions require your yachtmaster certificate to be commercially endorsed, however those that do are not required to have any of the theory assessments invigilated.
What assessment invigilation and who can conduct it?
In some cases, it is necessary to arrange for an RYA Instructor to be present throughout the assessment to verify that you haven't received any outside assistance. This may be an RYA Instructor of any level. However, to ensure legitimacy we do take care
to verify their credentials and will require sight of their qualification for our records.
When is invigilation required, do I really need it?
Invigilation is ONLY required under two scenarios.
- When you intend to use a DAY Skipper qualification for commericial operation in areas where the Day Skipper Qualification is needed for commericial use. This can be either an invigilated Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper Theory exam.
- When you intend to use your RYA Yachtmaster for commericial use as part of the UK MCA large vessel qualifications.
Invigilated assessments are only valid for 5 years for commercial use (but lifetime for recreational use). After 5 years you need to redo the theory course.
In Australia, New Zealand only the RYA Yachtmaster Qualifications are able to be used for commericial operation and these are invigilated as part of the independent exam. There is no requirement your theory assessment to be invigilated.
For those who are looking to pursue a career as an RYA instructor, although you are required to have completed the Yachtmaster Theory within the past 5 years, there is no requirement for the theory exams to be invigilated as this will be completed again during the Yachtmaster and Navigation Instructor courses.
How can invigilation be arranged?
- We can assist you with this!
- People who have already completed an RYA Shorebased theory course within the past 5 years can re-sit their exam with the original provider of your course. You cannot go to a third party and just do the exam, as they have
no record of your course completion. People who have certificates older than 5 years will need to redo the course.
- The RYA certification process does not allow you to do a practice exam with us and then attempt to do an invigilated exam with another provider. The certification process includes verification of the complete course and not just
the exam. You will need to get your NAVatHOME Australia Online Exam invigilated.
- If you would like us to help in organising invigilated exam, we are happy to do so and we will not make any additional charges for this service. However, at their discretion, the chosen RYA recognised Training Centre may wish to
charge a fee to cover their instructor time. Face to Face invigilation will have you complete the NAVatHOME Australia exam at their premises using the charts and almanac supplied as part of your course.
- If you would like us to assist, we will require details of your preferred location for where the assessment may be completed. We do work with a number of face to face schools around the world so we are able to be flexible with
options. Once we have confirmed a suitable centre , we will be able to put you in touch with each other to confirm a date and time of mutual convenience directly.