- About Us
- Contacting NMC
- Credentials
- US Coast Guard Forms
- Credentialing Fees
- Training & Assessment
- Regional Exam Centers
- Medical Information
- Drug Testing
- Appeal Process
- Reports
- Policy Letters
- Mariner's Information Center
- Helpful Links
- NMC Location
- STCW
- TWIC
- Customer Survey
- Site Map
Security Levels
Providing Credentials to Mariners
Option I
A USCG drug test conducted within the past 185 days by a laboratory accredited by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Health and Human Services.
COLLECTION of a urine sample may be conducted by an independent medical facility, private physician or at an employer-designated site as long as the collection agent meets the qualification requirements to be a collection agent given Title 49 CFR Part 40.31. It is CRITICAL that the sample is sent to an accredited SAMHSA laboratory for ANALYSIS or the drug test is invalid. The SAMHSA approved laboratory list can be obtained at the SAMHSA web site.
The ORIGINAL results are required. A FACSIMILE is acceptable, if it is originated from the Medical Review Officer (MRO) or the Service Agent assisting the mariner, and sent directly to our office. The drug test result must be signed and dated by the MRO or by a representative of the service agent who assisted you in meeting this requirement.
Option II
In accordance with 46 CFR 16.220(c)(2), An ORIGINAL DATED letter on marine employer or drug test consortium stationary or for military members, an ORIGINAL DATED letter from your command on command letterhead attesting to participation in random drug testing programs.
EXAMPLE 1 (From Marine Employers or Drug Test Consortium): APPLICANTS NAME and either SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER or MARINER REFERENCE NUMBER has been subject to a random testing program meeting the criteria of Title 46 CFR 16.230 for at least 60 days during the previous 185 days and has not failed nor refused to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs.
EXAMPLE 2 (Active Duty Military, Reserve, or recently retired Military/Military Sealift Command/NOAA/Army Corps of Engineers): APPLICANTS NAME and either SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER or MARINER REFERENCE NUMBER has been subject to a random testing program for at least 60 days during the previous 185 days and has not failed nor refused to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs.
EXAMPLE 3 (Active Duty Military): This is to certify that APPLICANTS NAME and either SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER or MARINER REFERENCE NUMBER has been subject to random drug testing while on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces. This member has been on continuous active duty since DATE. This individual has not failed nor refused any drug test.
Option III
In accordance with 46 CFR 16.220(c)(1), an ORIGINAL DATED letter on marine employer stationary signed by a company official, stating that you have passed a pre-employment or random chemical test for dangerous drugs within the past 185 days.
EXAMPLE APPLICANTS NAME and either SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER or MARINER REFERENCE NUMBER passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs, required under Title 46 CFR 16.210 or 16.230. On DATE (note that date must not be more than six months previous to the date of letter) and APPLICANTS NAME has had no subsequent positive drug test results since that date.
NMC Customer Service Center (CSC): 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662) email (IASKNMC@uscg.mil)
Contacting the Web Master for Technical issues regarding the website.
In order to view PDF files you will need an Acrobat Reader. To download this free software, click the Adobe icon.
Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF)