NCCER Maritime study guide
NCCER Maritime · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
NCCER Maritime refers to maritime craft training delivered through NCCER, the National Center for Construction Education & Research - an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation created in 1996. NCCER builds its programs with subject matter experts and supports them through accredited organizations, accredited training and assessment programs, and points of delivery for training and assessments. Maritime craft training follows the same model as NCCER's other craft programs: standardized curriculum, module-level knowledge checks, and industry-recognized credentials that can be verified. Candidates typically include apprentices and journey-level craft professionals working in shipyards, ports, and marine industrial settings, plus students in secondary and postsecondary programs and veterans entering the trade. Topics on this exam: Maritime Craft Fundamentals and Safety, Maritime Trades and Craft Skills, Maritime Jobsite Operations and Productivity, and Maritime Leadership, Supervision, and Career Pathways. The NCCER Maritime study guide has 4 sections and about 1,419 words.
01Maritime Craft Fundamentals and Safety
This domain tests hazard recognition and control in shipyards, docks, and marine fabrication shops: PPE, fall protection, confined spaces, hot work, lockout/tagout (LOTO), water safety, and environmental containment. Questions often ask which control comes first or which permit is required.
386 words, about 2 min02Maritime Trades and Craft Skills
This domain covers measurement, layout, hand and power tools, marine materials, fastening, coatings, composites, pipefitting, welding, and electrical craft skills. It tests whether you can translate a drawing into a fit-up that tolerates the marine environment.
347 words, about 2 min03Maritime Jobsite Operations and Productivity
This domain tests how work is planned, staged, communicated, and documented on a maritime jobsite. Expect questions on look-ahead scheduling, material handling, lift planning, permits, housekeeping, quality checks, handovers, and reducing rework.
360 words, about 2 min04Maritime Leadership, Supervision, and Career Pathways
This domain tests crew leadership in a maritime setting: safety leadership, communication, coaching, conflict resolution, documentation, delegation, and career progression from craft worker to supervisor. A supervisor sets the safety standard.
326 words, about 2 min