46 CFR 10.101: Purpose of merchant mariner credential regulations

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section states the purpose of the regulations in this part. They provide means of determining qualifications and competence of applicants. They also confirm that applicants do not pose a national security threat and determine whether an applicant is safe and suitable.

Applies toApplicants for certification to serve on merchant vessels and applicants for a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

What it says

  1. The regulations in this part provide a means of determining and verifying the qualifications an applicant must possess to be eligible for certification to serve on merchant vessels.

    46 CFR 10.101(a)“A means of determining and verifying the qualifications an applicant must possess to be eligible for certification to serve on merchant vessels;”

  2. The regulations in this part provide a means of determining that an applicant is competent to serve under the authority of their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

    46 CFR 10.101(b)“A means of determining that an applicant is competent to serve under the authority of their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC);”

  3. The regulations in this part provide a means of confirming that an applicant does not pose a threat to national security, through the requirement to hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

    46 CFR 10.101(c)“A means of confirming that an applicant does not pose a threat to national security through the requirement to hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC); and”

  4. The regulations in this part provide a means of determining whether the applicant for an MMC is a safe and suitable person.

    46 CFR 10.101(d)“A means of determining whether the applicant for an MMC is a safe and suitable person.”

Common questions

What is the purpose of the merchant mariner credential regulations in 46 CFR part 10?

They provide means of determining qualifications and competence, confirming national security status through a TWIC, and determining whether an applicant is safe and suitable.

“A means of determining whether the applicant for an MMC is a safe and suitable person.”

How does the MMC process address national security?

It confirms that an applicant does not pose a threat to national security through the requirement to hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

“A means of confirming that an applicant does not pose a threat to national security through the requirement to hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC); and”

Do these regulations address whether a mariner is competent?

Yes. They provide a means of determining that an applicant is competent to serve under the authority of their MMC.

“A means of determining that an applicant is competent to serve under the authority of their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC);”

The text of 46 CFR 10.101

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Purpose

The regulations in this part provide:

(a) A means of determining and verifying the qualifications an applicant must possess to be eligible for certification to serve on merchant vessels;

(b) A means of determining that an applicant is competent to serve under the authority of their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC);

(c) A means of confirming that an applicant does not pose a threat to national security through the requirement to hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC); and

(d) A means of determining whether the applicant for an MMC is a safe and suitable person.

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.