2026 Exam Resources

The Board of Pilotage Commissioners (BPC) is the regulatory authority for compulsory state pilotage. The BPC is responsible for and oversees the Exam Process and Pilot Training Program. Puget Sound Pilots (PSP) is an association of independent contractors and the Grays Harbor pilots are employees of the Port of Grays Harbor (PGH). The pilots provide the services and the BPC is the oversight.  

No, please submit all parts of your application together in either one email or one envelope. 

You will receive an email from the BPC acknowledging acceptance of your application package, which will then explain your timeframe for review. After review, the Board must approve all applications. This process takes place at monthly Board meetings. Another email will be sent after the Board meeting which will give details of next steps.

Yes, there is an option on the application to choose to apply to either or both districts. You will receive an invitation to train in whichever district has the first open opportunity and at that point you must choose to train in that district, or bypass that district and wait for the other district to have an opening. Please note: once you have chosen a district that choice is final. 

There is no set number of how many trainees can make the list as long as you pass the cut score for both the Knowledge Test (Written Exam) and Skills Test (Simulator Evaluation of Shiphandling Skills).

 No, there is one test with the option to apply for Puget Sound or Grays Harbor, or both districts. The test is not location specific and is not a test of knowledge of local waters.

The payment instructions are included with the application package, however only the application fee is due with the application.  The Knowledge Test (written exam) fee is due 10 calendar days after an applicant is notified that they have been approved by the Board to sit for the test. If an applicant is successful in the test and moves on to the Skills Test (Simulator Evaluation of Shiphandling Skills), they will pay at that time via new instructions being submitted to those successful candidates.

The pages of text that are recommended for study from the Bibliography are currently posted to the BPC website under 2026 Exam Resources.

Please review the exam blueprint, the exam bibliography and the JTA domains published. We believe that there is no one right or wrong way to study for the exam – however our pilots have shared ideas such as pretending to write your own exam and making sure you can answer your own questions, flash cards for memorization, and having a study partner are some things that have worked for them. 

The two-year requirement is a period of time (not sea time). Applicants must meet one of the indicated service requirements while holding a minimum license as mate/master of steam or motor vessels of not more than 1600 GRT or 3000 GT (ITC).  Any such license is to be held by the applicant for at least two years before application. 

Yes. Prior to 2018, ATBs over 10,000 GT (ITC) were evaluated under the towing vessel category. Captains serving on ATBs with a combined tonnage exceeding 3,000 GT (ITC) may still apply under the towing vessel category, even if the total tonnage is less than 10,000 GT (ITC) required for the Articulated Tug and Barge category. More details and all the current exam requirements can be found in WAC 363-116-0751.

No, if you are successful in both the Knowledge Test and the Skills Test you will be placed on a ranked list for invitation to the Pilot Training Program. 

No, calculators will not be needed. While basic math is a part of the test, there would not be any need to do any mathematic calculation requiring a calculator. You will be expected to understand the concepts of formulas and how they apply to piloting and their relationship to each other and their variables. 

More detailed information regarding the remote proctoring process will be released to applicants that qualify to sit for the test. 

The test is multiple choice and 100 questions in length. 

More detailed information regarding the remote proctoring process will be released to applicants that qualify to sit for the test and will cover the timeframe you will have to complete the test.

Please refer to the published bibliography and exam blueprint to guide your study.

No, we will not have a local proctor available, however our exam team is committed to helping you figure out the perfect remote proctoring option for you and will work with you individually to help make this happen.

Yes! And please know that much more information will be released to you regarding live proctoring as well as individual help from the exam team to make sure you have all the correct testing requirements, if needed.

Local knowledge has been taken out of the equation to offer a level-playing field for mariners not from the Pacific Northwest. The purpose of the Knowledge Test (Written Exam) and Skills Test (Simulator Evaluation of Shiphandling Skills) is to identify the most successful candidates that have a high probability of succeeding in the State licensed Training Program and becoming licensed as a Washington State Pilot. Washington State desires to attract the best candidates from across the country and the testing process and training program are designed to give the opportunity for candidates to show their skills.

Many high stakes exams are using remote proctoring and have been utilizing the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) standards for years. Additionally, we did a lot of research to make sure that we were choosing the correct platform and believe remote proctoring to be the wave of the future. We are proud to be on the leading edge of the Maritime industry.

Candidates successfully meeting the cut score for the Knowledge Test (Written Exam) will be given more information prior to the Skills Test (Simulator Evaluation of Shiphandling Skills).

For your specific Skills Test (Simulator Evaluation of Shiphandling Skills), you should be prepared to be there for at least an hour. More specific timeframes will be given to those who qualify for the test.