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Security Levels
National Maritime Center (NMC)
Mariner Licensing and Documentation (MLD)
***NOTE: Security requirements for U.S. Merchant Mariner’s Documents (MMDs)*** When applying for any MMD (originals, renewals, upgrades, endorsements, or duplicates), mariners will be required to be fingerprinted at the regional exam center. Mariners must produce two forms of identification, one of which must be a picture ID. Contact your local regional exam center for more information regarding security requirements.
ALL Applications and Fees must be submitted to the nearest USCG Regional Exam Center for processing.
Failure to follow these guidelines will
delay the processing of your application.
Application Status: you can check the status of your current Application for Merchant Mariner Document (MMD), License, or Certificate of Registry (Form CG-719B).
The requirements for renewing a U.S. Merchant Mariner credential (MMD, License, or Certificate of Registry) are formally contained in Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 10 and 12. This guide summarizes the requirements and answers the most common questions on renewing your credential. 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. NOTE: All paperwork to support your renewal must be original documents or certified copies. Certification must be done by the issuing agency. Notarized copies are not accepted.
If you plan to work on a seagoing vessel that goes beyond the boundary lines (as defined in Title 46 CFR Part 7), you may have to comply with the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW).
New functionality - In the sections below, use the 'Collapse' and 'Expand' links to shrink or restore large areas of text that might be 'in your way'.
Vessel Security Officer Rulemaking
- VSO Information Expand || Collapse
- Will there be a USCG charge to the mariner in order to receive the VSO endorsement?
- Will there be any stated expiration date for the VSO endorsement?
- When can mariners expect to begin getting their VSO endorsements processed?
- When will mariners be required to hold a VSO endorsement?
- Will the VSO endorsement be added to the SCTW certificate or will a new STCW certificate be issued?
- Will the issuance of a new STCW certificate or the endorsement on an existing certificate be undertaken at the local REC level or will the processing be completed by authorities in West Virginia?
- Will a mariner be able to take his/her STCW 95 certificate to any REC for the endorsement or does he/she have to go back to the REC of record?
- Can a mariner mail his/her STCW and VSO/SSO certificate to the REC for endorsement and return via mail or FedEx?
- What will be the estimated turn around time for a STCW certificate/VSO endorsement to be returned to the mariner, assuming that the mariner presents sufficient proof of training?
- If the VSO serves on a barge that is not self propelled, nor STCW compliant, does he/she have to comply with the same VSO training requirements?
- What, if any, training requirements does a barge VSO have to comply with other than what is already stated in the regulations?
- If the barge VSO has a license and is STCW compliant, but does not serve as a VSO on an STCW compliant vessel, but only on a barge, does he/she have to meet the new VSO training requirements?
- Is security training provided in the past sufficient to meet the requirements of the new proposed rule making?
- Can my organization submit a training course for approval directly to the Coast Guard instead of having to send our personnel to another approved training course?
- How do I get contact information for the QSS organizations that the Federal Register (FR) directs me to?
- What are the three authorized QSS organizations?
- How much does it cost for a course approval through these organizations?
- Will there be a new STCW Course specific to "Security Officers" that will be required under a policy letter/guidance such as 14-02 or 04-02 or will there be a new policy/guidance specific to Security Officers?
- Is there already a STCW course for VSO in place?
- If the vessel is in compliance with STCW requirements, then is the crew automatically in compliance?
- Will an REC honor the VSO/SSO certificates issued by a MARAD approved course provider prior to the MARAD/DNV approval date of April 2005?
- Many companies and schools did not submit for MARAD/DNV certification. Assuming their courses met the intent of the ISPS Code; will the REC's accept those certificates as evidence of being trained for the VSO/SSO positions?
- Are the MARAD/DNV Approved Security Course Certificates sufficient evidence for the endorsement?
- Assuming that the unapproved course covered the requirements listed in 33 CFR 104.215(d)(2), will the unapproved security course certificates be acceptable to Coast Guard without an additional refresher certificate?
- Will Marad and / or NMC set up a system to review the unapproved security courses (offered by schools and companies) to determine whether mariners need to take a “refresher course?
- Does a SSO/CSO/PFSO training course approved by a foreign administration satisfy the requirement for the mandatory inclusion on a STCW certificate?
- What is the Coast Guard’s position on re-issuing training certificates to allow training providers approved under the MARAD program to place STCW language on the certificate?
- How can I determine if the course I took will be accepted?
- Renewal Information
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- What are the new identification requirements?
- When do I have to renew my U.S. Merchant Mariner credential?
- What if I have more than one credential to renew?
- What is the grace period?
- What if my credential has expired beyond the grace period?
- What is a Continuity Renewal?
- When would renewal of my credential not be granted?
- Where can I renew my credential?
- Can I renew my credential by mail?
- What if I am submitting a renewal of my Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) by mail?
- Click here to view the Renewal Checklist.
- MMD Information Expand || Collapse
- What is a Merchant Mariner’s Document or MMD?
- What kind of work can I do with an MMD?
- Where can I get an MMD?
- How do I find a job once I get an MMD?
- How does the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) apply to me if I have an MMD?
- General Package
- General Requirements for MMDs Checklist
- Radio Officer Information Expand || Collapse
- What is a Radio Officer license?
- What is a Certificate of Registry (COR) as Staff Officer?
- Where can I get a Radio Officer license or COR as Staff Officer?
- What is the Merchant Mariner’s Document (MMD) requirement?
- How can I find a job?
- Click here to view the Radiotelegraph Operator Checklist.
- Click here to view the COR Checklist.
- Radio Officer Requirements Expand || Collapse
- Professional Requirements
- What are the requirements for a Radio Officer license?
- What are the
requirements for Staff Officer grades and endorsements?
Grade: - Chief Purser
- Purser
- Senior Assistant Purser
- Junior Assistant Purser
- Medical Doctor
- Professional Nurse
Endorsements: - Marine Physician Assistant
- Hospital Corpsman
- Professional Requirements
- Military or Foreign
Sea Service
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- Age, Citizenship,
and Social Security Number
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- User Fees
- Physical Requirements
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- When is a physical examination required?
- What is required for a physical examination?
- What are some examples of the physical examination standards?
- What are the physical agility, strength, and flexibility standards?
- What if I don’t meet the physical requirements?
- What are "dangerous drugs?"
- How do I prove that I am free of dangerous drugs?
- Fingerprints/Criminal
Record Review
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- National Driver Register
Check
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- Examinations and Reference
Materials
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- Application and Forms Expand || Collapse
Licensing Questions and Concerns, Contact:
IASKNMC
NMC Help Desk: 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662)
Web Site Questions and Concerns, Click here