I don’t remember paying for anything at the USCG in the 1970s and 80s.
I think the first thing that the USCG charged for was a Z Card (forerunner of the MMC) because there was a perception that too many people were applying for them just as an ID, but with no intention of sailing.
I do remember applying for my first license. The FBI check took a long time because it took the local police chief three tries to get an acceptable set of fingerprints for the FBI. The OCMI’s staff questioned everything about my seatime, especially since it was from an early age, but took most of it.
Once the background check came in I sat for the license. Then the OCMI interviewed me himself, shook my hand and handed me my license.
There were at least a couple of times when I applied for an upgrade, took the exam, and got the new license the same day.
I remember taking the radar endorsement test on paper at the OCMI before a 5 day radar course was required.
I remember doing Lifeboatman at the OMCI. They had about a 8 foot model in the lobby that I had to launch, and recover. This cost nothing! No course required.