RYA Marine Radio SRC Course and Exam
Get qualified to use a handheld or fixed marine VHF radio with our course and exam
Course description
If you have a VHF radio onboard your boat, or even carry a handheld VHF whilst kayaking or paddle-boarding, you need to hold an operator’s licence.
A radio is an important piece of safety equipment on board and it is vital to understand the correct procedures. The Short Range Certificate is the minimum qualification required by law to control the operation of VHF and VHF Digital Selective Calling (DSC) equipment on any British flagged vessel voluntarily fitted with a radio either fixed or hand held.
Our RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate course is a one-day course aimed at anyone who wants to operate a marine VHF radio, with or without Digital Selective Calling. With options to complete the course online or in the classroom, you can learn at your own pace and convenience.
Vital for days out boating, it covers radio functionality, how to relay information clearly and swiftly in an emergency, as well as hands-on practice of operating and talking over the radio.
Course overview
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Course length |
10 hours plus exam time. The exam will always be classroom based but the course can be taken in the classroom or online. |
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Course format |
This course is based either online or in the classroom with the exam taking place in the classroom. Both the classroom course and the online course are available through our training |
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Required experience |
None |
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Minimum age |
16 |
More information
- Basics of radio operation
- Frequencies
- Distress
- Emergency and medical assistance procedures
- Making ship to shore telephone calls
- Digital Selective Calling
- Global Maritime Distress Safety System
Tailored to the topics covered, the RYA VHF Handbook (G31) is included in this course.
Preview the SRC online course
The online Marine Radio SRC course is an online course for your PC, Mac or tablet. Before purchasing the course from your RYA recognised training centre, we advise you to check the compatibility information below to make sure it will work on your device.
For this course you will need:
- Internet connection (broadband or 3G). Charges may apply for 3G
- JavaScript enabled in your web browser
- Microphone and speakers/headphones
- Pop-ups enabled
Compatible devices and operating systems:
- PC running Windows 10 minimum with the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Firefox
- Mac running 10.13 minimum with the latest version of Safari, Google Chrome or Firefox
- iPad running iOS11 minimum using Safari
- Android tablet running 4.1 minimum using Google Chrome.
Related pages
SRC Exams
The RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate (SRC) is the minimum qualification required to operate marine VHF radio equipment on a UK flagged vessel. It is obtained by successfully completing an SRC exam conducted at an RYA Recognised Training Centre.
SRC exams include a written theory question paper and a practical assessment on the use of marine VHF radios. The exam fee is payable to the RYA. See the section on the exam fee for more details.
Eligibility for the examination
To be eligible for the exam, on the day of the exam all candidates must:
- Be 16 years old or older, and
- Present one of the following eligibility documents:
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- evidence of completing an RYA SRC training course through an RYA Recognised Training Centre*; or
- an RYA Restricted VHF certificate; or
- a suitable aviation radio operator's certificate.
Arranging an exam
If you intend to complete an SRC course at an RYA Training Centre prior to taking the exam, the training centre will arrange the exam.
If you intend to take an SRC course online, make sure you check the location and date of the practical SRC exam before making the booking.
If you are not required to complete the SRC course and intend to present either an RYA Restricted VHF certificate or a suitable aviation GMDSS radio operator's certificate as evidence of eligibility, you should discuss the availability of direct assessments with a local RYA Recognised Training Centre. In addition to the exam fee a charge may be made by the training centre to cover the cost of facilitating a direct exam.
The exam fee
The SRC exam fee is £70 and covers the cost of the examiner and the administration of processing and issuing the certificate.
This fee is payable to the RYA and is separate to the fee that you pay for the training course. Note that training course fees are set by individual training centres.
There are a number of ways you may pay the exam fee:
1. Online payment by debit or credit card
The preferred method is to pay online, which streamlines both the payment process and the issuing of your certificate following the exam.
Prior to taking the exam, use the RYA online exam payment system to pay for the exam and receive a personalised exam application form. Print this out and take it with you to the exam, together with your eligibility documents and passport sized photo.
2. Payment by cheque
If you wish to pay by cheque, prior to the exam, download and complete the application and payment form.
Indicate on the form that payment is being made by cheque. If the cheque is not in the exam candidate's name, write the candidate's name on the back of the cheque. Take the completed form, together with your eligibility documents and passport sized photo to the exam.
3. If your Recognised Training Centre pays on your behalf
In some circumstances your course fee includes the exam fee, and the training centre will make the exam payment on your behalf. They may also complete the paperwork on your behalf. This is most typical when your employer is paying for the course and exam. Please note that the training centre may make an additional charge for this service.
If you are not sure whether the fee you have paid includes the exam fee, contact your RYA Training Centre to check. Your training centre will also advise whether you should download the Application and payment form or whether they will provide it for you. Regardless of who completes the application form, you must bring your eligibility documents and a passport sized photo to the exam.
The RYA manages SRC training and assessment on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in line with the ITU Radio Regulations and the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) SRC guidelines.
