Receive the guidance you need as you navigate requirements for an original license, first-time renewal, upgrade, or medical certificate.

About the Program
The Tall Ships America Licensing guidance program is a three to four month long professional development opportunity for individuals. Mentees are paired with mentors who will help guide them through the licensing process and testing.

Below are some frequently asked questions. Click on one for more info:

The program helps Tall Ships America members as they navigate the requirements needed for an original license, to renew for the first time, upgrade their license, or apply for a medical certificate.

Acting as a guide to the real world, mentors have the opportunity to encourage and advise mentees by sharing their own experiences and knowledge of the maritime industry. This creates a culture of continuous learning, individual development and knowledge transfer.

The program is a three to four month long professional development opportunity for individuals. In the inaugural year, mentees are paired with mentors who they feel is a best fit for them and will help guide them through the licensing process and testing. Section I: Time Commitment Mentors and mentees will meet once a month for 1 hour, either virtually or face to face, and report back to the oversight committee. Mentees and Mentors are expected to spend at least one hour per month meeting with one another via in person, phone call, or video meetings such as zoom. We will have an all-hands meeting (one for the mentors and one for the mentees) at the two-month mark to check in, share successes, and discuss challenges.

Mentees who wish to participate in the program must start by submitting a
resume and completing a survey. After submitting this information, the Mentorship Program Managers will review the applicant’s materials and send it to the mentors who they think may be a good fit for the Mentee.

Mentors will then decide if they want to take on the mentorship of the new mentee. A list and overview of mentors who agree to the potential mentorship of this mentee will then be sent to the applicant. Mentees will then select the mentor that they wish to work with. Once the mentor is selected, then a member of the Mentorship Program will introduce the mentee and mentor via email and the three-to-four-month program will begin.

A team of 2-5 volunteer Mentorship Program Managers oversee the mentorship program. These individuals are responsible for the pairing of mentees and mentors, overseeing the relationship between mentees and mentors, and reviewing post meeting reflection notes.

Applicants must be a current member of Tall Ships America. Must be pursuing a license, renewal, upgrade, or medical certificate

Anyone interested in being a mentor for the program must be a current member of Tall Ships America (or work for a member organization), be actively participating in professional events (annual conference, regional meetings, webinars, etc) and have 5+ years of professional experience in the maritime field.

Applications are taken on a rolling basis and space is limited. This program is a service to Tall Ships America members. Not a member? Become one now!

Click here to meet our mentors

2026 Mentee Application

2026 Mentee Application

You must be a current member to apply. If you are not a member, your application will not be reviewed.
Name
Name
First
Last
Please specify your preference about how (telephone or virtual), when (set time, preferred day, morning or afternoon) mentoring should take place. Monthly 1-hour meetings are required as part of the program but if you work better with more frequent check ins, please indicate under How Often.
Areas of Interest