Pathfinder Maritime Training (PMT) was approved in 2023 by the National Maritime Center to offer automated, on-demand assessment exams. Meeting the NMC’s requirements was not an easy task, and the PMT crew couldn’t be more excited. The process for online, video proctor sessions is relatively simple and consists of four steps.
Step 1: Complete all course content, quizzes and practicals.
Step 2: Request access to your final exam and then download the required third-party application on a computer (not mobile device compatible at this time). A 24 hour notice is required before accessing your exam.
- Prepare a clean workspace when you are ready to take the exam. Your surface should be free of any distractions or devices. No one else should be present. All PATHFR exams are closed book and untimed.
Step 3: Log into the proctor session using the link provided via email. Present your ID, check your video and audio connections, scan your room 360 degrees and then begin the exam.
- You will need to have a camera, microphone, and no dual or secondary monitor hooked up, and basic internet speeds to complete the process.
- The length of your exam varies based on course.
- Most exams are a 70% passing rate, with the exception of Rules of the Road and Chart Plotting (90%).
Step 4: Receive your Certificate. The Pathfinder team will review the session within 24 hours and then issue your course completion certificate.
- You’re ready to complete other NMC requirements and apply for your license!
System requirements for online exams:
| Operating System | Windows 10+ormacOS 10.12+ (Sierra)*Windows S mode is not supported *Chromebooks, Linux, iPads, tablets, and mobile devices are not supported. |
| Hardware Requirements | 1 GB available disk space2 GB RAMIntel Quad-core 1.8GHz CPUor AMD Quad-core 2.0GHz CPU |
| Web Browser | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 11+ *Brave & Opera are not supported at this time. *Microsoft Edge is not supported for macOS at this time. |
| Internet Speed** | Upload: 1 Mbps ↑Download: 2 Mbps ↓*Tethering and HotSpots are not supported. |
| Web Camera & Microphone | An external or internal web camera and microphone are required. *Camera and microphone drivers must have been updated or released within the last 5 years.*3D Webcams are not supported at this time. |
** An active broadband internet connection is assumed since the examinations are done online
I am curious about the Lifeboatman limited portion. Are we required to take care of these assessments under our own accord, or is this portion proctored as well? I have the sea time for AB unlimited and have taken a PSC course in the past, however I failed to couple it with an AB course in time. Thanks for your help!
Hi Matt – I believe we just chatted on our live area, but I’ll answer here as well. The Lifeboatman Practical is the responsibility of the student. You can find any Master to sign off on it. Until June 30, 2029 the Coast Guard will accept assessments signed before January 1, 2029, by mariners who have shipboard experience on vessels of at least 200 GRT/500 GT with assigned duties as the person in charge of a lifeboat (for PSC) or a survival craft (for PSC-LTD) For assessments on a military vessel, qualified military need not be approved QAs and may continue to sign assessments after December 31, 2028. Here is the NMC form, see pages 32-37: https://pathfindercaptain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/NVIC-01-24-Pages-32-37.pdf