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VHF (ROC-M) Radio Course
VHF (ROC-M) Radio Course

VHF (ROC-M) Radio Course

$179.00 CAD

The Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement is the licence that lets you legally operate a VHF marine radio in Canada — and it's mandatory for many Paddle Canada certifications. This course gets you there: self-paced online study through our learning system, followed by an in-person exam session where everything is completed and signed in one sitting.

You'll learn emergency radio procedures, everyday operating techniques, frequency selection, the phonetic alphabet, procedural words, Digital Selective Calling (DSC), and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

OnlineSelf-Paced Study
In-PersonExam Session
ROC(M)Lifetime Certificate
DSCEndorsement Included

What You'll Learn

  • Emergency procedures — distress, urgency, and safety calls
  • Everyday operating techniques and radio etiquette on the water
  • Channel and frequency selection for Canadian waters
  • The phonetic alphabet and procedural words
  • Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and how it changes distress alerting
  • The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Who It's For

  • Sea kayakers carrying a VHF radio on coastal and open water
  • Paddlers pursuing Paddle Canada certifications that require the ROC(M)
  • Boaters, sailors, and anyone operating a marine radio in Canada

How It Works

Everything before exam day happens at your own pace. Exam day itself is one in-person session — both exam parts and all paperwork, done on the spot.

  • Study online, at your own pace. The course runs through our learning system and covers everything you need for both the written and oral exams. Course material is provided digitally (ePub format).
  • Test yourself before it counts. Practice exams are built into the course so you know you're ready before you book.
  • Book your in-person exam session. You'll meet one-on-one with an examiner at the date and time you book. A hard copy of the course material is provided on exam day.
  • Complete both exam parts in one sitting. A 60-question written exam (70% to pass) and an oral exam where you demonstrate three radio calls, including a DSC distress procedure.
  • Sign and finish on the spot. Your exam record is signed at the session — no paperwork to mail or scan afterward. Your Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement is then processed and issued.

Prerequisites: None. No boating licence or prior radio experience required — the course starts from zero and takes you to certification.

Questions

Is the exam online?
No. Exams are conducted in person, one-on-one with an examiner. Both parts are completed at a single session, and your exam record is signed on the spot — which means no follow-up paperwork and no waiting on mailed forms.
Does the certificate expire?
No. The ROC(M) is issued once and is valid for life — no renewals, no recertification.
Do I need this for Paddle Canada certifications?
Many Paddle Canada certifications require the ROC(M). If you're progressing through the sea kayak skills or instructor pathway, you'll need it — and it's legally required to transmit on a VHF marine radio in Canada regardless.
What is the DSC Endorsement?
Digital Selective Calling lets a modern VHF radio send an automated, position-tagged distress alert at the push of a button. The DSC Endorsement certifies you to use that capability, and it's included in this course and exam.
What's the exam like?
Two parts, one sitting: a 60-question multiple-choice written exam requiring 70% to pass, and a short oral exam where you demonstrate three radio calls, including a DSC distress procedure. The course and practice exams prepare you for both.
Do I need to own a VHF radio for the course?
No. Everything you need to learn and pass is covered in the course and demonstrated at your exam session.

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