RYA Powerboat advanced professional qualifications 

RYA powerboat courses are primarily for those using small powered craft such as RIBs, dories and sportsboats that don't generally undertake long or offshore passages. 

The types of commercial craft requiring this level of certification are typically: charter fishing boats, small passenger launches, tour boat operators, harbour patrol launches, dive operations, construction site safety boats etc. 
 
If you will be using larger boats with accommodation and the capacity to cruise or work further offshore you are likely to need a certificate within the motor cruising programme such as Day Skipper, Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore. 

There are two types of Advanced certificate: 

1. A course completion certificate awarded by a training centre, on successful completion of a two-day training course
2. A certificate of competence awarded by the RYA/MCA, on successful completion of an exam 

If you need a Powerboat Advanced certificate in order to work on board a commercial craft subject to the MCA's codes of practice, you will need to have it commercially endorsed. You can then work on commercial vessels up to 24m in length, operating in category 3, 4, 5 and 6 waters - that is up to 20 miles from a safe haven. 

Please note: it is only possible to commercially endorse an RYA/MCA Powerboat Advanced Certificate of Competence (option 2 above).