We are regularly asked by students for information about assessment invigilation, so we put together a question and answer page to help you better understand the requirements.

To ensure that our information remains current and completely up to date, we communicate regularly with the RYA. We cannot guarantee that other online providers do the same, so please do check directly with the RYA if you are unsure.

What is 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 assistance during the exam, this is known as invigilation. The RYA Instructor may be of any level however, the MCA require them to be affiliated to an RYA recognised training centre. The invigilation cannot be carried out independently.

To ensure legitimacy we do take care to verify RYA Instructor and RYA Training Centre credentials, and will require sight of their qualification and a signed letter from them for our records.

When is invigilation required, do I really need it?

In most cases, invigilation of the final theory assessment is not necessary and is completely optional. It is often an unnecessary expense.

We have summarised this for you below:

Invigilation is not required:

• If you are going to be using the qualification for leisure purposes (flotilla, charter, own boat cruising etc).
• If you wish to qualify as a RYA Cruising Instructor or an RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructor.
• For Skippering vessels of below 200GT.
• If you are wishing to add a Commercial Endorsement to a RYA Yachtmaster™ Coastal or an RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore Certificate of Competence.

Invigilation is required:

• If you wish to study towards MCA large yacht qualifications such as Officer of the Watch or Master 3000. In this case, all of your theory assessments must be invigilated.
• If you intend to Skipper vessels of over 200GT.
• If you intend to use your RYA Day Skipper Certificate or Competence for commercial purposes such as sea angling or commercial dive-boat operations within the UK you will require a professional endorsement to a Day Skipper Certificate of Competence. This will enable you to skipper a small commercial vessel. If your Day Skipper shorebased exam is invigilated by an RYA Instructor you will be able to operate up to a 12 mile limit from the vessel’s home port. If your theory exam has not been invigilated, operation will be authorised for a 3 mile limit from the vessel’s home port.
• If you will be taking the Ocean Yachtmaster™ oral examination, the invigilation of the shorebased assessment is optional. However, if you choose not to have your assessment invigilated, the Examiner may ask you to complete a further theory paper during your oral examination.

How can invigilation be arranged:

• We can assist you with this, or you may choose to make your own arrangements independently.
• If you choose to arrange this independently, please ask your chosen RYA recognised training centre to make direct contact with us prior to the assessment so that we can discuss the requirements beforehand.
• If you would like us to help, we will not make any additional charge for this service. However, at their discretion, the chosen RYA recognised Training Centre may wish to charge a fee to cover their instructor time.
• If you would like us to assist, we will require details (postcode) of your preferred location where the assessment may be completed. This doesn’t need to be in the UK as we work with many RYA recognised Training Centres throughout the world. Once we have identified a suitable Centre and your course booking is confirmed, we will be able to put you in touch with them directly, to arrange a date and time of mutual convenience.

Any other questions:

Please don’t hesitate to ask, and we will be happy to help.