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

Let’s begin with…a few questions…

Next, begin your planning…consider the following activities

• Obtain your Merchant Mariner Document
• Contact a maritime affiliated company or union directly
• Attend a maritime technical training school
• Attend a maritime academy or college

Merchant Mariner Documents (MMD) are issued by an Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), as required by applicable laws. With certain exceptions, no one may be employed on a U.S.-flag merchant vessel of 100 gross tons or over without an MMD issued by one of the U.S. Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECs).

• All MMDs expire five years from the issue date, and therefore, must be renewed before the end of that five-year period. Renewals may be completed by mail and can be renewed up to 12 months before expiration. However, you must appear at an REC during the application process for ID verification and fingerprinting.
  
  
• Application for an original MMD:
  • No evidence of service is required to obtain an entry level rating. An applicant must present:
    • Evidence of passing a drug test,
      
      
    • A social security card,
      
      
    • Proof of legal entry into the United States, and
      
      
    • Acceptable documents for identification/citizenship.
      
      
    
    
    
  • For mariners wishing to have their entry level MMD endorsed for international service, evidence of medical fitness (e.g., agility, ability, and strength) is required.
    
    
  • Evidence of service, and in some cases evidence of approved training, must be presented to establish service qualifications for individuals seeking qualified ratings.
    
    The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) requires extensive training for mariners in qualified ratings who wish to sail internationally.
    
    
  
  
  
• Applicants must meet the following general requirements:
  • Be at least 16 years of age. An applicant between 16 and 18 years of age must present a notarized statement of parental or guardian's consent.
    
    
  • Furnish two unmounted dull-finished photographs of passport type (i.e., 2 inches by 1.5 inches) taken within one year showing the full face at least one inch in height with the head uncovered. Some RECs are equipped with cameras for this purpose. Before purchasing photos, check with the REC at which you plan to apply.
    
    
  • Applicants who indicate the use of drugs or conviction of drug-related offenses, other criminal convictions or National Driver Register (NDR) motor vehicle convictions may not be eligible for an MMD.
    
    
  • Fingerprints will be taken and reviewed against a database of persons with a criminal record.
    
    
  • Applicants must present acceptable evidence of citizenship at the time of filing the original application. Acceptable evidence of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of the applicant’s: birth certificate, certificate of naturalization (only original is acceptable), baptismal certificate, or a valid U.S. passport.
    
    
  • Aliens applying for an MMD must present acceptable documentary evidence from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) that the alien is lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
    
    
  
  
  
• There is a fee for the issuance of an MMD.
  
  

The United States Coast Guard is the regulatory agency under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for licensing and documentation of all U.S. merchant mariners at United States Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECs). Prospective applicants for sea employment are encouraged to contact the nearest office for local advice and explanation of regulations. Click on the following site for the particular locations and addresses:  Regional Examination Centers