
PNB – What do I need to get it?
To get the PNB title, you only have to complete some internships and pass the official exam.
As a basic navigation skipper you will be able to steer motor or sailing boats up to 8 meters in length, depending on the practices you do, and navigate within a radius of 5 miles (± 9 Km) from a port or place coat
At Escola Port we will prepare you to pass the exam on the first try and you can do your internship any week of the year.
You don't need any previous qualifications, just pass the PNB exam and complete the internship.
Miquel AP2025-03-26 Vaig fer el curs de formació basica amb en Sergi i en Jordi, uns grans professionals, es nota que els hi agrada transmetre els seu coneixements. Grà cies nois, sou uns cracks! pakeito eito2025-03-25 Ante una climatologÃa adversa del mar y lluvia, la practica la desarrollamos perfectamente, con todas las maniobras previstas, y con muy buena actitud del tecnico-formador, David. Como mejora o a tener en cuenta, las recomendaciones del mail de confirmacion de la practica es para tiempo soleado, indican agua, gorra y crema del sol, pero deberian advertir en caso de oleaje o lluvia llevar material impermeable o que la escuela lo proporcione. Marc Ayats2025-03-25 Excelente Maria Sanz2025-03-25 La profesionalidad del capitán y de todos los profesores de la escuela fue insuperable. Se hizo equipo desde el primer momento y el ambiente fue muy bueno. first name last name2025-03-23 Muchas gracias Emiliano por todo, el mejor profesor! Fco. Javier Sandoval2025-03-18 Muy recomendables! Tuve la suerte de contar con David MartÃn como instructor tanto en el curso ROCA como en las prácticas de Motor y Seguridad, resultando todo de lujo asiático. Celebraré el tÃtulo comiéndome un chuletón de DO Ternera de Aliste. Eric Bono2025-03-18 Magnifica escuela , profesorado preparado y recursos online ilimitadps de soporte. Francesc Montes2025-03-17 Buena organización de la Escola Port, a destacar nuestro instructor: David MartÃn, un auténtico crack, se aprende de manera fácil con total seguridad, a recomendar sin duda José Luis DÃez2025-03-17 Gente muy profesional y didáctica. De Sobresaliente! Muy recomendable si te gusta el mar. Robert Gonzalez i Creus2025-03-17 Buena escuela, buenas explicaciones por el profesor y si algún dÃa no puedes ir puedes realizar la clase Online
Requirements to obtain the PNB title
16 years old. Minimum age to get the PNB
To sign up for the PNB exam or do the internship you must be over 16 years old.
You will need one authorization signed by your parents or guardians.
Pass the PNB theoretical exam
More than eight official exams are held in Catalonia each year.
At EscolaPort, we offer courses adapted to the dates of each call.
Complete the PNB internships
Two compulsory practices are required:
– Navigation (8 hours)
– Radio (4 hours)
Practices can be done before or after the exam.
Do you want to expand the attributions of PNB?
If you want to steer sailboats, in addition to the mandatory ones, you must do complementary sailing practices at 4 p.m.
If you do these prcatices after processing your title, you will have to request a new issue to include them.
PNB fees and procedures
Examination
Registration for the exam requires payment of a fee.
Consult the deadlines and notices a Escola Port or on the website of Generalitat de Catalunya.
expedition
Once the exam and practices have been passed, the issuing fee must be paid to obtain the degree.
Nautical medical certificate
When you go to process the degree, it is necessary to pass a psychophysical medical examination at a center authorized by the DGT.
The certificate is valid for 90 days, so it is advisable to take it after passing the exam and practicals.
Deadlines
The APTE in the exam and practices are valid for 24 months.
During this period, you will have to process the issuance of the title. If you do not, you will have to repeat the exam or practice, as appropriate.
Validity period of the PNB
The PNB title is valid for 10 years.
To renew it, you just have to pay the corresponding fee and present an updated medical certificate.
Attributions of the title PNB
8 meters
Steering motor pleasure boats up to 8 meters in length.
5 miles
Sail within a radius of 5 nautical miles (± 9 kilometers) of a port, marina or place of shelter.
Jet skis
Rule all kinds of jet skis with no power limit.
Sailboats*
Steering sailing boats.
*Additional practices.
Modalities of PNB courses at EscolaPort.
Theory and practice packs.
Title PNB
PNB Courses – Basic surfing pattern/wave in Barcelona
Either face-to-face or streaming, you will find a course adapted to your preferences.
You can get the theory for free or choose from one of these 3 options:
– At your own pace,
– During the week or
– Intensive.

PNB course at your own pace
In this online theoretical course, you create your own schedule and prepare to pass the exam of PNB at your own pace.
With our online course platform, you can study anytime, anywhere. In addition, you can solve your doubts in the live tutorials.
You can start today and finish when you feel confident to pass the exam.
You can do the practices before or after the exam.
You can hire a theory and practical pack, at the best price, or buy each part of the course separately.

PNB Course During the week
Theoretical preparation course for the exam PNB with four three-hour theoretical classes, face-to-face or streaming, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
You can take the course at 10:00 or 19:00, in addition, streaming tutorials to resolve doubts.
You can do the internship before, during or after.
You can hire a theory and practical pack, at the best price, or buy each part of the course separately.

Intensive PNB Course
In this course you will do the theory and practice of stretching. In just one weekend, at Port OlÃmpic you will get the keys to pass the exam.
If you want to do the Sailing practice, you can add a couple of days to extend the attributions of the title.
In addition, streaming tutorials to resolve doubts.

PNB Practices at the Port OlÃmpic of Barcelona
You must complete the safety and navigation practices, and the training in radio communications to obtain the PNB with basic attributions.
You can complete the practices before or after the exam.
If you want to extend these powers to steer sailboats, you need to do complementary practices.

PNB – Safety and navigation practices
Through various exercises in port and open sea you will learn how to navigate safely, how to maneuver, anchor and the use of basic ropes and knots.
Two consecutive 4-hour sessions.
You can do them in one or two days, during the week or at the weekend.
To carry sailboats you have to do complementary practices.

PNB – Radiocommunications
You will learn how to operate the on-board radio, how to make distress, emergency and safety communications, and much more.
Two hours of theoretical class and two hours of practice with simulators.
According to the SMSSM guidelines for your navigation area.

PNB – Sailing practices
Carrying out various exercises in port and open sea you will learn how to sail safely, how to maneuver, anchor and the use of basic ropes and knots.
During the week in four sessions or at the weekend in two sessions.
What is the title?
Your nautical certificate will be a PDF document.
You can download it, from your personal space, in the application of the nautical department of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
There are neither physical titles (carnet, folio, etc.) nor provisional ones, only the definitive title.
To process it, you will simply have to pay the corresponding fee and upload your medical certificate to the application.
You can do the expedition once you have completed the internship and passed the exam.
Both the exam pass and the practicals will be registered in the computer system, you will not need any document or proof.


Content of the PNB theoretical course
The syllabus is divided into six theoretical units, from this content the 27 questions of the exam will be asked.
Identify and name the different parts and elements of the ship. Know and name navigation concepts, notions and expressions.
Identify and name the different mooring and anchoring parts and elements. Know and name concepts, notions and expressions associated with the anchoring maneuver. Know the requirements, conditions and procedures to carry out an effective and safe mooring or anchoring maneuver.
Prepare your boat before each departure. Know what precautions you should take in the face of bad weather. Keep the boat stable against any change in weather. Know which safety elements are mandatory to bring on board in your navigation area. What to do in case of: fire, person in water (all maneuvers), attend to an injured person on board, tow to a boat, call Salvament and Radio-Medical Service.
Identify the different regulatory bodies. Know the regulation and basic regulations in the maritime sector. Know the limitations to navigation near the coast. Know the basic aspects of permitted and prohibited discharges at sea. Get to know the protected areas of the Mediterranean.
Identify the regulations applicable to maritime signaling. Identify the regions of the world that have the same beaconing system. Know all the brands in the ports and navigable waters. Identify the different brands and what to do when you see them. Know the different rhythms and colors of the brands' lights.
Know the traffic rules with normal and reduced visibility. Recognize when there is a risk of collision and what maneuvers to perform. Know how to get a boat. Know how to avoid tackling in different situations. Passing preferences according to the type of ship/vessel. Recognizing, by its lights, a ship and its situation. Identify the acoustic signals emitted by ships/vessels during manoeuvres/warnings/reduced visibility. Recognize danger signs.
PNB exam
- Only the theoretical part is assessed.
- They will not ask questions related to internships.
- 27 questions. 17 correct answers minimum.
- Duration: 45 minutes.
- You must bring a pencil, pen and ID.






Frequently asked questions about the PNB degree
With the PNB you can sail in recreational boats, motor and sailing, up to 8 meters long, as well as jet skis with no power limit.
You will be able to sail up to a distance of 5 miles (± 9 Km) in any direction from a port or place of shelter (in which the ship can easily take refuge and allow its occupants to land).
If you are 16 years old or older, you only have to prepare with the theory course to pass the official exam, which includes 6 units ranging from nautical nomenclature to regulations, do some practice and, once you have completed everything this, provide a nautical medical certificate.
The syllabus for the PER course includes 6 theoretical units. The first 6 units are common to GNP and PER.
– Nautical nomenclature
– Mooring and anchoring elements
- Safety at sea
- Legislation
- Accreditation
– RIPA
As for sailing, it depends on your goals, your sailing plan, the size of the boat and the distance you want to reach.
Regarding the difficulty of the syllabus, the PNB and the PER share the first 6 theoretical units, which include Valuation and RIPA, two very important topics for the exam. In both cases, a minimum number of correct answers and errors is established, which determines whether or not you pass the exam.
In any case, you are 6 units will require understanding and a good memory, little more.
The rest of the PER syllabus is not more complicated, however, for the subject of navigation charts everything you have learned is essential and you also need minimal skills in geometry and basic mathematical operations.