International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) Application

NOTICE: Please expect delays of IPC application processing on top of the normal 15 day processing and shipping times. This is due to recent and mass increase in volume of applications. We thank you for your understanding and patience!

ASA is proud to offer the first International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) for sailors available in the United States. This certificate is mandatory when chartering in most European / Mediterranean waters. It serves as proof of bareboat charter competency for Mediterranean chartering companies, many of whom require the proficiency information displayed in a different format than the ASA Log Book.

IPC Requirements

You must be an ASA Certified sailor
You need to be certified in at least ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing, ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising, and ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising.
You must have a current ASA Membership or Instructor Membership*
If you do not have a membership, or your membership has expired, a 1-year ASA Membership with 20% off will be automatically added to your cart at checkout. *INSTRUCTORS are not eligible for the discounted membership. If you are an instructor and you need to renew your membership please do so via the instructor portal at instructors.asa.com.

Is it required?

ASA strongly recommends you apply for an International Proficiency Certificate if you are chartering in the Mediterranean as well as the inland waterways of Europe and northern Europe.

Who can get one?

Only sailors who have been certified through ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising and are active ASA Members can get the International Proficiency Certificate. The IPC is valid for 5 years from date of issue.

ASA Membership

All sailors applying for an IPC today are also eligible to save 20% on a 1-year ASA Membership. So join or renew today and take advantage of all the benefits of being a member of ASA.

That is a question that charter companies will ask when deciding whether or not to put you in charge of your own vessel. In the Caribbean, charter companies will often use your ASA logbook, certifications, and sailing resume as evidence of your sailing experience. In Europe, the situation is a bit different and you will most likely need an International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) to charter your own boat.

The IPC serves as proof of bareboat charter competency for Mediterranean chartering companies, many of whom require the proficiency information displayed in a different format than the ASA Log Book. This certificate is mandatory when chartering in most European / Mediterranean waters.

An International Proficiency Certificate indicates that you have a certain level of proficiency and competency to safely operate a type/size of vessel. An IPC provides a certification which many Mediterranean charter companies view as equivalent to the ICC. Please note that any certification should also be paired with the appropriate sailing resume and you should check with your intended charter company to verify what they require.

The International Certificate of Competence (ICC) came about via UN Resolution 40 (UNR40), which was signed at various levels by some governments. Only agents of countries that have signed UNR40 can issue it. The United States is not a signatory to UNR40, so there is no US-based ICC agent. The ICC is exactly what it is named. It is mostly used around EU countries to certify that the charterer has the minimum skills necessary. Some countries require you to have the ICC before they will charter a yacht to you.

Not every country requires you to have an ICC. However, most charter companies will not charter a boat to you without an ICC, or an equivalent certificate. Since it isn’t easy for a US-based sailor to obtain an ICC, the ASA has an agreement with Mediterranean charter companies to provide a certification similar to the ICC called the International Proficiency Certificate (IPC).

Please note that any certification should also be paired with the appropriate sailing resume and you should check with your intended charter company to verify what they require.

American Sailing’s IPC is mainly meant for countries that do not accept the UNECE's ICC (International Certificate of Competency) but still want certified proof of Bareboat competency. These countries for the most part are in Mediterranean waters. Charter companies in the following countries have been known to accept American Sailing's IPC:

Belarus, Croatia, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.

NOTE: We highly recommend you check with your charter company before you book the charter to know whether or not they will accept the IPC as proof of bareboat competency.

International Proficiency Certificate Application

This certificate is mandatory when chartering in most European / Mediterranean waters. It serves as proof of bareboat charter competency for Mediterranean chartering companies, many of whom require the proficiency information displayed in a different format than the ASA Log Book.

PLEASE NOTE: IPC processing time varies based on volume and can take anywhere between 1-15 business days on top of the shipping time.
Application Type:*
- New Application
- Renewal
Lost your original IPC certificate? order a replacement Here.
IPC Requirements
I am certified through at least ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising*
- Yes
- No
Not ASA Certified? Unfortunately this means you are not eligible to apply for an IPC today. We recommend that you learn more about ASA Certifications and Find an ASA Sailing School near you.
I am an active ASA member*
- Yes
- No
Not An ASA Member? No problem! A 20% off 1-year membership will be added to your cart automatically.
Your Information
ASA ID Number
You can find your ASA ID Number in your logbook, on your membership card, or online via the ASA Member Portal.
If you do not know your ASA ID Number you may leave it blank and we will use your name/e-mail to verify your membership and certifications.
Name*
First Last
Email*
Home Address*
This should be the address where you currently live. This address will be printed on your IPC.

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Nationality*
Your nationality should correspond to your travel passport, e.g. American, French, etc.
Phone Number*
Phone Number
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IPC Expiration Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Passport Photo Requirements
If your photo does not meet these requirements your application will be rejected/delayed.

1. Please upload the digital equivalent of a passport photo. The image should have square dimensions (at least 600px by 600px), your face should be clearly visible, and the background should be a plain white color.

2. No photos with articles of clothing blocking the face or hair such as hats, sunglasses, etc. will be accepted.

3. Please do not use a picture of your actual passport as a photo.
Passport Photo*
Accepted file types: jpg, png, jpeg, Max. file size: 4 MB.
Click on the image below to reposition it so your face is centered, and use the slider underneath to make sure your face is a large as possible. If you need to be able to rotate your image then please use our advanced image manipulation tool.
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ASA Membership
You must have an active ASA Membership in order to be eligible to apply for an International Proficiency Certificate. If you do not have an active membership then you can join by taking advantage of the offer below.
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ASA Membership Bonus Offer
Become an ASA Member (or renew your membership) and SAVE 20%. This is a one-time offer only available to IPC applicants.
← Check Here To Join/Renew Your ASA Membership*
* ASA Instructors are not eligible for this offer.
Online Payment Information
Credit Card

American Express
Discover
MasterCard
Visa
Supported Credit Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Card Number Expiration Date Security Code Cardholder Name
Shipping Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Country*
Billing address is different than shipping address.
Billing Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Order Summary
International Proficiency Certificate*
Price:
1-Year ASA Membership
Price:
ASA Membership Bonus Offer
Price:
1-Year International ASA Membership
Price:
ASA Membership Bonus Offer
Price:
Coupon
Domestic Shipping*
Shipping to Canada*
International Shipping*
NOTE: For expedited overnight shipping orders placed Monday-Thursday before 2pm you will receive your order the next day. For orders placed Friday-Sunday your order will be shipped on Monday and delivered on Tuesday.
Total
$0.00

IPC Requirements

You must be an ASA Certified sailor

You must have a current ASA Membership or Instructor Membership*

Is it required?

Who can get one?

ASA Membership

International Proficiency Certificate Application

IPC Requirements

Your Information

Passport Photo Requirements

ASA Membership

Online Payment Information

Order Summary