To be eligible to be branched or licensed as the next bar pilot, a person shall meet all of the following criteria at the time of branching or licensing:

1. (1) The person shall be the senior apprentice, with seniority to be determined by date of satisfactory completion of all of the following requirements to be a bar pilot except the written examination given by the commission.
2. (2) The person shall be a citizen of the United States of America or legally present in this state.
3. (3) The person shall be of good moral character.
4. (4) The person shall have completed satisfactorily all requirements of the apprenticeship.
5. (5) The person shall be a graduate of a four-year college or university accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or have a bachelor of science degree from a nationally recognized maritime academy.

6. (6) The person shall hold and have the following current United States Coast Guard licenses and experience:

   1. a. Either of the following:

      1. 1. An unlimited second mate of oceans license with at least one year’s experience as second mate.
      2. 2. A master license of freight or motor vessel of 1,600 gross tons with one year’s experience as master of vessels of at least 150 gross tons.

   2. b. Either of the following:

      1. 1. Three years’ experience in a deck department capacity on one or more vessels navigating the Mobile ship channel.
      2. 2. Three years’ experience at sea in a deck department capacity on oceangoing vessels of 1,600 gross tons or over.
   3. c. A first class federal pilot license for the Mobile and Theodore ship channels.
7. (7) The person shall have been employed in a deck department capacity on steam or motor vessels navigating either inland waters or oceans for a majority of the last five years.
8. (8) The person shall demonstrate, if required by the commission to do so, sufficient evidence of satisfactory experience in the safe navigation and handling of vessels, successful completion of a training program officially recognized by the State Pilotage Commission and bar pilots.
9. (9) The person shall pass a written test administered by the commission.

(Act 2019-162, §20.)