The Starfleet Helmsman Course was established in May 2146 in order to train Starfleet Crewman for transfer into the recently created rate of Helmsman. After previously being eligible only for prior service UESPA or Earth Cargo Service personnel, Starfleet authorized Helmsman as a rating for Starfleet members (restricted to the rate of Ablesman) who had successfully passed the Space Navigation Competency Examination. The Starfleet Helmsman Course is also unique in that half of the course is held at the UESPA Lunaport Training Center and taught by UESPA instructions. Upon course completion, the Starfleet member receives a “Warp Craft Operator’s License” (separate from a Pilot Certificate) and is designated in the rate of Helmsman.