What Materials Can You Use in the USCG Exam Room?

The current NMC document controls test-day materials

Exam-room materials are not a minor detail. Bringing the wrong reference, relying on an old list, or assuming a familiar calculator is allowed can create unnecessary stress on test day. Start with the current NMC Examination Room Materials document, then check any instructions from the Regional Examination Center administering your exam.

This article is a planning aid. It does not authorize an item, and USCG Prep does not control examination administration.

Deck and engine examinations can differ

The NMC document separates engine and deck examinations. For engine examinations, the document describes a permitted reference framework involving 46 CFR and 33 CFR parts. Deck examinations use a module-dependent reference list, and that list is not the same for every deck module.

For deck examinations, the document states that no references may be used for Rules of the Road modules. Other modules can have their own required references, and the guidance says no other references are permitted. That distinction is why a generic “what to bring” list is unsafe.

Match the reference to the module

The current document lists examples such as training charts, plotting sheets, maneuvering boards, selected Coast Guard and navigation publications, tide and current references, the Stability Data Reference Book, and selected CFR parts. The exact title and edition matter, and not every item applies to every examination.

Use the official PDF to identify the item by its exact name. Do not substitute an internet copy with a similar title unless the current NMC guidance says it is acceptable. If the document has changed, follow the newest version linked from the official NMC examinations page.

Check plotting tools and calculator instructions

The current materials document addresses tools such as a Star Finder 2102-D with instructions, plotting tools including dividers and triangles, a nautical slide rule, and a programmable calculator cleared of programs and memory with the manufacturer’s clearing instructions. It also addresses restrictions on specialty navigation calculators and electronic communication devices.

Do not interpret that paragraph from memory. Read the current document, prepare the exact tools it permits, and follow any local exam-center instructions. A tool that is useful during Q172 chart-plot practice is not automatically permitted in the exam room.

A day-before checklist

The day before the exam:

1. Open the current NMC Examination Room Materials PDF.
2. Confirm the exam type and module list on your notice.
3. Mark only the references that apply.
4. Check edition details where the document specifies them.
5. Clear the calculator and pack its instructions if permitted.
6. Pack only permitted plotting tools.
7. Leave phones and electronic communication devices outside the exam procedure.

Keep a downloaded copy of the official document’s publication or review information, but follow the live NMC page if a newer version has been issued. Use focused practice sessions for the modules on your notice and pricing to compare preparation access.

The official document controls the final packing list. USCG Prep can help you study the knowledge behind the modules; it cannot approve an exam-room item or replace NMC guidance.