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National Maritime Center (NMC)
Mariner Licensing and Documentation (MLD)

STCW - Certification for Licensed Officers

Mail ALL applications to the nearest USCG Regional Exam Center.

Application Status: you can check the status of your current Application for Merchant Mariner Document (MMD), License, or Certificate of Registry (Form CG-719B).

Guide to applying and qualifying for STCW certification for licensed officers - The requirements from the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) on training and certification for licensed deck officers are formally contained  in Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 10 and 15 and the STCW Code. This guide summarizes the requirements and answers the most common questions on meeting STCW certification requirements. Delays in processing your application due to incomplete information are easily avoided by following this guide closely. If you are viewing this guide on the Internet, click on a specific section or question below as a hyperlink to the information. To ensure that your application is complete and is reviewed as quickly as possible, use the interactive General Requirements listing as a checklist when you prepare your application package.

 

General Information

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General Requirements

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  1. U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials
  2. Training and Demonstrated Proficiency
  3. Application Information
 

General Information

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General Requirements

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  1. U.S. Merchant Mariner Credentials (Back to Top)

    1. What U.S. credentials do I need?
      You must meet all the requirements for and obtain a U.S. Merchant Marine officer license. The STCW form is based on the authority allowed by your license, but may require training and assessment beyond U.S. requirements.
    2. Which licensed officers must comply with STCW?
      If you hold a U.S. Merchant Marine officer license and you intend to sail beyond the boundary line (seagoing service), then you must comply with the STCW. However, you do not need to hold the STCW form if you are serving on any of the following vessels:
      • Uninspected passenger vessels as defined in 46 United States Code (USC) 2101(42).
      • Fishing vessels as defined in 46 USC 2101(11)(a) and (c).
      • Vessels operating exclusively on the Great Lakes.
      • Barges and non-self-propelled modu's
      • Passenger vessels inspected under subchapters T or K on domestic, near coastal voyages.
      • Yachts not engaged in trade
      • Non-passenger carrying vessels under 200 GRT on domestic, near coastal voyages.
  2. Training and Demonstrated Proficiency (Back to Top)

    1. What do I need for the STCW-95 form?

      You must first meet the domestic requirements in Title 46 CFR Part 10 for each specific MMD rating (See New Mariners page for MMD info).

      For STCW specific requirements, select the officer grade in the left-hand column for which you are qualified and read across that row. The blocks with an ‘X’ in the vertical columns indicate the additional STCW training requirements needed to obtain the STCW-95 form. The last column indicates Grade specific training required by STCW-95 as well as the regulatory cites from the STCW Code for the specified training. All of the requirements apply to licenses valid for seagoing service beyond the boundary line only.
      License Grade Obtained Basic Safety Training Proficiency in Survival Craft Grade Specific Training
      Master or Chief Mate – 200 Gross Registered Tons (Domestic Tonnage), 500 Gross Tons (ITC Tonnage) or more X X X¹

      (Reg. A-II/1 & A-VI/2)
      Mate (except Chief Mate) – 200 Gross Registered Tons (Domestic Tonnage), 500 Gross Tons (ITC Tonnage) or more X X X¹

      (Reg. A-II/2 & A-VI/2)
      Master or Mate – Under 200 Gross Registered Tons (Domestic Tonnage), 500 Gross Tons (ITC Tonnage)³ X² X² X²

      (Reg. A-II/3 & A-VI/2)
      Master/Mate Towing See NVIC 4-01 on the NMC's published NVIC page. NVIC 4-01 includes a PDF and several PDF enclosures.
      Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer –4,000 Horsepower (3,000 kW) or more X X X

      (Reg. A-III/2 & A-VI/2)
      Chief Engineer or First Assistant Engineer –Between 1,000 Horsepower (750 kW) and 4,000 Horsepower (3,000 kW) X X X

      (Reg. A-III/3 & A-VI/2)
      Assistant Engineer (except First Assistant Engineer) or Designated Duty Engineer X X X

      (Reg. A-III/1 & A-VI/2)
      Notes:
      1. Bridge Resource Management training is required to obtain the STCW-95. ARPA and GMDSS certification may apply as well for employment purposes on vessels so equipped, but such certification is not required to obtain the STCW-95 Form.
      2. Certain exemptions apply if your service goes beyond the boundary line (seagoing service), but within 200 nautical miles from a U.S. shore (Near Coastal waters). Contact your local REC for more information.
      3. If you hold this type of Deck Officer license and you plan to operate beyond Near Coastal waters, you are NOT currently allowed by STCW to operate on such a route under your license and you would need a greater tonnage license. Policy is being considered for mariners in this circumstance.
    2. What is Basic Safety Training (BST)? (Back to Top)

      BST is comprised of four elements: personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, and personal safety and social responsibilities. You must obtain BST certification as required by Reg. VI/1 of the STCW code. See NMC Policy Letter 12-01 for information about maintaining competence of BST.
    3. What is Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC)?

      This means that you have completed an approved training program in survival craft and rescue boats, and been assessed as proficient in the applicable skills as per Reg. VI/2 of the STCW Code. See NMC Policy Letter 8-01 on what is considered acceptable evidence of PSC.
    4. How do I provide proof of grade specific training?

      The training requirements are specified in the STCW regulations cited in the STCW-95 Form requirements table above. Currently, there are no "relaxed assessments" for certification and proof consists of a course completion certificate from a Coast Guard approved or accepted course, evidence of completion as indicated in an approved Training Record Book, or under certain circumstances certification from a designated examiner attesting to your proficiency. Additional guidance is in planning.
    5. How do I provide proof of competency in Teamwork Procedures, also known as Bridge Resource Management (BRM), training?

      This proficiency refers to the effective teamwork of personnel on a vessel’s bridge and the training requirements are a part of the specific Deck Officer grade requirements noted in the table above. See NMC Policy Letter No. 15-01 on what is considered acceptable evidence of BRM training.
    6. How does proficiency in Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) apply to me?

      The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requires GMDSS equipment on most U.S. commercial vessels. In addition, at least two crewmembers on the vessels must hold a FCC issued GMDSS radio operator’s license. After January 31, 2002, all deck officers must also hold an STCW-95 Form endorsed as operator in the GMDSS onboard vessels required to comply with STCW GMDSS standards. You may seek the GMDSS endorsement to the STCW-95 Form now by following the guidance in NMC Policy Letter No. 2-99.
    7. How does proficiency in the use of Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) apply to me?

      Most U.S. commercial vessels are required to have ARPA fitted onboard. If you are a Deck Officer serving on a vessel required to have ARPA, you must comply with the STCW ARPA requirements which are included in the license grade specific training noted in the STCW-95 form table above. There are no "relaxed assessments" for certification and proof consists of a course completion certificate from a Coast Guard approved or accepted course.

    8. What types of vessels require additional special training?

      1. Regulation V/1 requires "the training and qualification of masters, officers and ratings aboard tankers." The STCW speaks of oil tankers, chemical tankers, and liquefied gas tankers. The United States implemented regulation V/1 through new regulations in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulation, Part 13. These new regulations divide tankers into two classes: dangerous liquids (DL) which includes oil and chemical tankers carrying products in a liquid form at ambient temperature and pressure, and liquefied gas (LG) which includes all tankers carrying products that are liquefied by low temperature, by pressure, or a combination of both.

      The master, chief officer, and all persons in charge of cargo operations on a tanker must be qualified as a tankerman - person in charge (PIC) for the type of cargo carried, either DL or LG. The chief engineer and first assistant engineer must be qualified as a tankerman - engineer for the type of cargo carried. Persons assisting the PIC during transfer operations who are not under the direct supervision of the PIC must be qualified as a tankerman - assistant for the type of cargo carried. A pumpman is an example of a crew member that would probably be required to be certificated as a tankerman assistant. Currently, there are no "relaxed assessments" and proof consists of a course completion certificate from a Coast Guard approved or accepted course or under certain circumstances certification from a designated examiner attesting to your proficiency.

      2. Regulation V/2 requires training and qualification for the master, certain officers, and certain ratings serving on a RO-RO passenger ship on an international voyage. The following table provides information about the training required for personnel serving on ships to which Regulation V/2 applies:

      TYPE OF TRAINING REQUIRED FOR
      Crowd management training¹,² Master, officers, and other personnel on the muster list designated to assist passengers in an emergency
      Familiarization training Master, officers, and personnel assigned specific duties and responsibilities
      Safety training Personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces
      Passenger safety training¹,² Master, chief mate, chief engineer officer, first assistant engineer officer, and every person assigned direct responsibility for embarking and disembarking passengers
      Cargo safety training¹,² Master, chief mate, chief engineer officer, first assistant engineer officer, and every person assigned immediate responsibility for loading, discharging, or securing cargo
      Hull integrity training¹,² Master, chief mate, chief engineer officer, first assistant engineer officer, and every person assigned immediate responsibility for closing hull openings
      Crisis management and
      human behavior training¹,²      		 Master, chief mate, chief engineer officer, first assistant engineer officer and any person responsible for the safety of passengers in emergency situations
      Notes:
      1. Valid for five years and must be renewed.
      2. Training must be approved or accepted by the Coast Guard

      3. Regulation V/3 requires training and qualification for the master, certain officers, and certain ratings serving on a passenger ship, other than a RO-RO passenger ship, on an international voyage.

      The following table provides information about the training required for personnel serving on ships to which Regulation V/2 applies:

      TYPE OF TRAINING REQUIRED FOR
      Crowd management training¹,² Master, officers, and other personnel on the muster list designated to assist passengers in an emergency
      Familiarization training Master, officers, and personnel assigned specific duties and responsibilities
      Safety training Personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces
      Passenger safety training¹,² Master, chief mate, and every person assigned immediate responsibility for embarking or disembarking passengers
      Crisis management and
      human behavior training¹,²      		 Master, chief mate, chief engineer officer, first assistant engineer officer, and any person responsible for the safety of passengers in emergency situations
      Notes:
      1. Valid for five years and must be renewed.
      2. Training must be approved or accepted by the Coast Guard
  3. Forms and Application Information (Back to Top)

    1. How do I apply?

      You must submit a completed Application (Form CG-719b) and proofs of all required training or proficiencies required for the license grade sought. Please read all instructions thoroughly on the application prior to submittal to your nearest REC. Connect here to the Forms and Application page.
    2. How much does the STCW form cost?

      There is no charge for the STCW form.
    3. What is the photo requirement for STCW-95 forms?

      If you are applying for an STCW-95 form, you must submit two passport type photos. Your photo will be adhered and sealed to the STCW-95 form.
    4. How do I find out the status on my application?

      The REC that reviews your application package will notify you in writing on the status of your application, including whether you have been approved or if additional information is required. The time to complete the review of each application varies greatly depending on the complexity. RECs will not typically provide one day service. Please feel free to contact your local REC to check on the status after submitting your application. However, it is recommended that you allow sufficient time for receipt and processing of your application before contacting the local REC.
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Last Modified 8/21/2008