National Maritime Center (NMC) Providing Credentials to Mariners
Renewal Guide and FAQ
What are the
new identification requirements? You must have a TWIC and
be able to send a copy with your renewal application.
When do I have to renew my
credentials? All
U.S. licenses, Merchant Mariner’s Credentials (MMC), and
Certificates of Registry (CORs) are valid for service
for five years from the issue date and no longer. You
renew your credentials up to 12 months prior to
expiration.
What if I have
more than one credential to renew?
You may renew all credentials at the same time as long
as at least one of the credentials is within 12 months
of expiring. In such situations, you are encouraged to
renew all credentials together to get them in sync.
What is the
grace period?
You may renew your credential during the Period of Grace
(no more than 12 months beyond the five-year expiration
date), but you can NOT
operate under the authority of your credential during
this Grace Period. Once your credential has expired, it
is no longer valid and you can not work on it.
What if my
credential has expired beyond the grace period?
If
your credential has expired beyond the grace period, then you will
have to meet the full requirements of the original credential. This
also means you will have to take the full examination if
required for the credential or attend a course approved
by the CG specifically for this purpose.
What is a
Continuity Renewal?
This option allows you to renew your credential without
meeting any of the renewal requirements, except for
completing an application. If
you choose to renew a credential for continuity purposes
only, then you can NOT
work under the authority of that credential. If your
credential has expired beyond the one year grace period,
then you are ineligible for the continuity renewal
option.
When would
renewal of my credentials not be granted?
Your credential will not be renewed if it has been
revoked or surrendered without probation. In addition,
your credential will not be renewed if facts come to the
attention of the Coast Guard that would render a renewal
improper or you do not meet all of the requirements for
renewal.
Where can I
renew my U.S. mariner credentials? You may
apply for renewal at any of the 17 Coast Guard Regional
Examination Centers (RECs). You must satisfy
requirements for renewal including the completion of an
application form and payment of user fees. All of these
requirements are described in this guide. To see a list
of RECs and their locations,
click here.
Can I renew my
credential by mail? You may renew by mail by submitting
all of the required paperwork and fees to one of the RECs listed
above. Please ensure that all supporting paperwork is original
documents or certified copies (certified by the agency that issued
the original credential.)
Professional Requirements
How do I prove that I have met the professional requirements for renewal?
You may document professional service for renewal
in various forms, including original certificates of
discharge and/or official documents from marine
companies on original company letterhead signed by
authorized officials. For military members, you must
have your service documented on Command letterhead.
All original proof of qualifying sea service MUST
also include the following information about the
amount and nature of your experience:
Name and documentation/official number of each
vessel on which the service was obtained.
Vessel's gross tonnage, shaft horsepower and
type of propulsion.
Number of days underway on each vessel
including the dates the service was obtained.
Number of days spent in each type of route
(Ocean, Near Coastal, Inland, specific river or
lake, etc.).
Average number of hours worked per day.
A brief description of duties or work
performed.
NOTE: Title 18 U.S. Code (U.S.C.), Section 1001
states that intentionally making false or fraudulent
statements or representations in any matter within
the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the
United States is a Federal crime punishable by a
maximum fine of $10,000, 5 years imprisonment, or
both. When signing the application and forms to
apply for an MMC, you acknowledge awareness of the
meaning of the statute in 18 U.S.C. 1001. If there
is evidence that an application was submitted
fraudulently, the application may be denied and the
case will be forwarded to the local U.S. Attorney
for appropriate action.
NMC Customer Service Center (CSC): 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662) email (IASKNMC@uscg.mil)
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