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.
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. |
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 |
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