ARTICLE 1. Issuance of License [1170. - 1179.]

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC 1.
in effect

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1170.1. Section 1170.1.

In determining the number of pilots needed, pursuant to Section 1170, the board shall take into consideration the findings and declarations in Sections 1100 and 1101, the industry’s current economic trends, fluctuations in the number of vessel calls, the size of vessels, whether the need for pilotage is increasing or decreasing, and the 1986 manpower study adopted by the board.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1170.2. Section 1170.2.

Before changing the number of pilots which may be licensed pursuant to this division, the board shall conduct a hearing pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1170.3. Section 1170.3.

(a) The board shall adopt, by regulation, a pilot’s conflict-of-interest code, which shall include, but need not be limited to, a provision specifying that a pilot shall not have any interest in, or derive any income from, any tugboat in operation on Monterey Bay and the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun. This requirement of divestiture does not apply to the ownership of barges and vessels similar to barges. (b) The conflict-of-interest code shall not prohibit the ownership of stock in any corporation registered on a national securities exchange or on the National Market System of the NASDAQ Stock Market, pursuant to Section 78f of Title 15 of the United States Code, which may own tugboats in operation on Monterey Bay and the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1171. Section 1171.

(a) The board shall have the sole authority to determine the qualifications for obtaining a license as a pilot pursuant to this division, determine who shall have the license, and issue the license. (b) A person possessing a valid state pilot’s license on January 1, 1985, is hereby licensed as if the license was granted by the board.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1171.5. Section 1171.5.

(a) The board shall adopt, by regulation, licensing standards that equal or exceed standards for obtaining federal endorsements and that conform with and support the state policy specified in Sections 1100 and 1101. (b) The board shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations that require pilots to be qualified to perform all pilot duties. (c) The board shall adopt, by regulation, training standards and a training program for pilot trainees, and continuing education standards and a continuing education program for pilots. In the case of pilot trainees, the training program shall be for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years. In the case of pilots, the board shall specify the type, nature, duration, and frequency of the continuing education required and the identity of the pilots who are required to undergo continuing education in the next 12-month period. Pursuant to Section 1182, the license of a pilot may be revoked or suspended if he or she fails to complete the continuing education required by this subdivision during the period specified. The board shall also require that an evaluation of the pilot’s performance be prepared by the institution selected by the board to provide pilot continuing education, and the institution shall provide copies of the evaluation to the pilot and to the board. (d) The board shall adopt, by regulation, the qualifications, standards, and rating criteria for admission of pilot trainees to the training program. Notwithstanding subdivision (f), the board shall administer and conduct the pilot trainee admission selection in accordance with the regulations for admission. (e) The board shall establish a pilot evaluation committee consisting of five active pilots who each have at least 10 years’ experience as a pilot on the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun. The board shall select the members of the pilot evaluation committee. A member may not serve for more than two four-year terms, except that two of the initial members appointed to the pilot evaluation committee shall serve terms of two years. (f) The pilot evaluation committee shall conduct and supervise the pilot trainee training program pursuant to the direction and regulation of the board and consistent with the intent of this division. (g) The board shall issue a certificate of completion to each pilot trainee who satisfactorily completes the training program. The board shall not issue a pilot’s license to a person who does not receive a certificate of completion of the training program from the board, although the board may refuse to issue a pilot license to a pilot trainee who has received this certificate. (h) The training program for pilot trainees and the continuing education program for pilots shall be funded from revenues collected for these purposes as determined by the board pursuant to Sections 1195 and 1196 and deposited into the Board of Pilot Commissioners’ Special Fund pursuant to Section 1159.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1171.6. Section 1171.6.

(a) There shall be an examination fee to be charged in an amount established by the board to each applicant to the pilot trainee training program who participates in any written or simulator examinations established by the board for the purposes of determining admission to the pilot trainee training program pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 1171.5. The fee shall be charged only to those who actually participate in an examination and shall not exceed the administrative costs to the board of preparing and administering the examination. (b) The moneys charged and collected from the applicant pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be paid to the board and deposited into the Board of Pilot Commissioners’ Special Fund pursuant to Section 1159. The moneys shall be used only to fund the pilot trainee training program in the manner established by the board.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1172. Section 1172.

Pilots licensed by the board shall be carefully examined as to their qualifications. A license as a pilot shall be granted for a term of 12 months. The license shall be renewed annually unless the board has good cause to withhold renewal pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 1180) of this chapter.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1174. Section 1174.

A pilot’s license shall be issued in the name of the State of California and contain a designation of the waters for which it is intended. The license shall be signed by the president of the board.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1175. Section 1175.

No person shall be licensed as a pilot unless all of the following requirements are met: (a) The person can meet the qualifications set by the board, including age limitations, if any. (b) The person is of good mental and physical health and good moral character. (c) The person possesses the requisite skill and experience as a navigator and pilot, together with practical knowledge of the currents, tide, soundings, bearings, and distances of the several shoals, and the rocks, bars, points of landings, lights, and fog signals of, or pertaining to, the navigation of the pilot ground for which the person applies for a license to act as a pilot. (d) The person can satisfy the board that the person has means available for boarding and leaving vessels which the person may be called upon to pilot.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1176. Section 1176.

(a) The board shall appoint a physician or physicians who are qualified to determine the suitability of a person to perform his or her duties as a pilot or a pilot trainee in accordance with subdivision (c). (b) An applicant for a pilot trainee position or for a pilot license, a pilot trainee, or a pilot seeking renewal of his or her license shall undergo a physical examination by a board-appointed physician in accordance with standards prescribed by the board. Within 30 days prior to the examination, the applicant or licensee shall submit to the physician conducting the physical examination a complete list of all prescribed medications being taken by or administered to the applicant or licensee. (c) On the basis of both the examination and an evaluation of the effects of the prescription medications named on the submitted list, the physician shall designate to the board whether or not the pilot or pilot trainee is fit to perform his or her duties as a pilot or a pilot trainee. (d) The license of a pilot shall not be renewed unless he or she is found fit for duty pursuant to subdivision (c). (e) If a pilot or a pilot trainee is prescribed either a new dosage of a medication or a new medication, or suspends the use of a prescribed medication, he or she shall, within 10 days, submit that information to the board-appointed physician having possession of the prescribed medication list submitted pursuant to subdivision (b). If the physician receives the updated information, the physician shall determine whether or not the medication change affects the licensee’s or trainee’s fitness for duty. If the physician determines that the medication change results in the pilot or pilot trainee being unfit for duty, the physician shall inform the board. (f) The board may terminate a pilot trainee or suspend or revoke the license of a pilot who fails to submit the prescribed medication information required by this section.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1176.5. Section 1176.5.

(a) At the time of the physical examination required by Section 1176, a trainee or an applicant for a trainee position shall disclose to the board-appointed physician conducting the physical examination all of the following information, if applicable: (1) If at any time prior to the examination the trainee or applicant for a trainee position has been rendered incapable of safely operating a vessel or any other motor vehicle because of alcoholism, excessive and chronic use of alcoholic beverages, or addiction to, or habitual use of, any drug. (2) If at any time prior to the examination the trainee or applicant for a trainee position has been addicted to the use of narcotic drugs or has participated in a narcotic treatment program. (3) If at any time prior to the examination the trainee or applicant for a trainee position has suffered from a disorder characterized by lapses of consciousness or has experienced, within the last three years, either a lapse of consciousness or an episode of marked confusion caused by any medical condition that may bring about recurrent lapses, or has any physical or mental disability, disease, or disorder that could affect the safe operation of a vessel or motor vehicle. (b) At the time of the physical examination, a licensee shall disclose to the board-appointed physician conducting the physical examination pursuant to Section 1176 all of the following information, if applicable: (1) If at any time during the year prior to the examination the licensee applicant has been rendered incapable of safely operating a vessel or any other motor vehicle because of alcoholism, excessive and chronic use of alcoholic beverages, or addiction to, or habitual use of, any drug. (2) If at any time during the year prior to the examination the licensee has been addicted to the use of narcotic drugs or participated in a narcotic treatment program. (3) If at any time during the year prior to the examination the licensee has suffered from a disorder characterized by lapses of consciousness or has experienced either a lapse of consciousness or an episode of marked confusion caused by any medical condition that may bring about recurrent lapses, or has any physical or mental disability, disease, or disorder that could affect the safe operation of a vessel or any other motor vehicle. (c) The board may refuse to admit an applicant to the training program, continue a trainee in the training program, or issue or renew a license to any person if the board-appointed physician conducting the physical examination required pursuant to Section 1176 determines that the trainee applicant, trainee, license applicant, or licensee excessively or habitually uses, or is addicted to, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, or dangerous drugs. (d) The board shall not admit an applicant to the training program, continue a trainee in the program, issue a license to a pilot license applicant, or renew a pilot license for any applicant who fails to submit the information required by this section.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1177. Section 1177.

(a) All pilots licensed pursuant to this division shall have and maintain proper federal endorsements allowing them to pilot on the high seas and on all waters of the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun, excluding the San Joaquin River and the Sacramento deep water ship channel. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), all pilots issued original licenses pursuant to this division after December 31, 1987, shall have and maintain proper federal endorsements allowing them to pilot on the high seas and on all waters of the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun, including the San Joaquin River and the Sacramento deep water ship channel. (c) All pilots licensed pursuant to this division for Monterey Bay shall have and maintain proper federal endorsements allowing them to pilot on the high seas and on all the waters of Monterey Bay.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1177.5. Section 1177.5.

(a) The board’s proceedings with regard to the refusal to issue or renew a pilot license shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (b) The board may deny an application for a license without a hearing, if within one year previously, and after proceedings conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, an application from the same applicant has been denied upon the same grounds.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1178. Section 1178.

Persons applying for an original license shall not receive a license unless they have proper federal endorsements allowing them to pilot on the high seas and all the waters of those bays pursuant to Section 1171.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1178.5. Section 1178.5.

(a) Subject to this section, the board shall participate in a pull-notice system, pursuant to Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code, with respect to all pilot trainees and all licensees. (b) The purpose of board participation in a pull-notice system pursuant to this section is to provide the board with a report showing each pilot’s current public record as recorded by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and any subsequent convictions, failures to appear, accidents, driver’s license suspensions, driver’s license revocations, or any other actions taken against the driving privilege or certificate, added to the driver’s record while the notification request remains valid and uncanceled. (c) As used in this section, participation in the pull-notice system means obtaining a requester code and enrolling all pilots and trainees who are subject to the board’s jurisdiction under that requester code. (d) The board shall, additionally, obtain a periodic report from the Department of Motor Vehicles at least every 12 months. The board shall verify that each pilot’s and pilot trainee’s driver’s license has not been suspended or revoked and whether the pilot or pilot trainee has been convicted of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153 of the Vehicle Code or Section 655. (e) Upon the termination of a pilot’s license or the removal of a trainee from the training program, the board shall notify the Department of Motor Vehicles to discontinue the driver’s enrollment in the pull-notice system. (f) For the purposes of the pull-notice system, a pilot and pilot trainee shall be enrolled as if he or she were an employee of the board. (g) The board shall be exempt from any fees required under the pull-notice system, pursuant to Section 1808.1 of the Vehicle Code. (h) The board, on an individual basis, shall also request the driving record of every applicant for admission into the pilot training program before granting admission to the training program, and shall request the driving record of every applicant for an original pilot license before issuing a pilot license. (i) The board, after notice and hearing, may refuse to issue a pilot license or may suspend or revoke the license issued to a pilot if that person has been convicted of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153 of the Vehicle Code, or Section 655. A conviction after a plea of nolo contendere is a conviction within the meaning of this section. (j) The board may refuse to admit an applicant into the pilot training program or may dismiss a pilot trainee from the pilot training program if that person has been convicted of a violation of Section 23152 or 23153 of the Vehicle Code or Section 655. A conviction after a plea of nolo contendere is a conviction within the meaning of this section.

Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 1179. Section 1179.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, any shipping company which regularly employed its employees, or expressed its intent to the board to use its employees, for piloting vessels on the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun on or before July 1, 1983, may employ and use its employees in that manner in lieu of pilots provided under this chapter. However, this use of employees as pilots on foreign flag vessels shall be limited to five vessel calls per year for those shipping companies that have only expressed their intent to use their employees in lieu of pilots. This limitation shall not apply to those shipping companies which regularly employed their employees for piloting vessels prior to July 1, 1983.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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