46 CFR 10.235: Suspension or revocation of mariner credentials

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers suspension and revocation of an MMC or endorsement. A revoked credential is no longer valid, and a new one must be applied for as an original. The section also covers replacement credentials, renewal during suspension, and the effect of a denied or revoked TWIC.

Applies toAny MMC or endorsement, and mariners whose TWIC has been denied or revoked.

What it says

  1. Any MMC or endorsement is subject to suspension or revocation on the same grounds, in the same manner, and with like procedure as provided in 46 U.S.C. chapter 77.

    46 CFR 10.235(a)“Any MMC or endorsement is subject to suspension or revocation on the same grounds, in the same manner, and with like procedure as provided in 46 U.S.C. chapter 77.”

  2. When an individual's credential is revoked, it is no longer valid for any purpose. Any MMC requested later must be applied for as an original, following the procedures that this subchapter sets out in the sections the text names.

    46 CFR 10.235(b)“it is no longer valid for any purpose, and any MMC subsequently requested must be applied for as an original”

  3. An applicant who has had a TWIC, credential, or endorsement revoked must state in the application the date of revocation, the serial number of the document revoked, and the type of document or endorsement revoked.

    46 CFR 10.235(c)“must state in their application the date of revocation, the serial number of the document revoked, and the type of document or endorsement revoked.”

  4. A person whose credential or endorsement has been revoked or suspended without probation may not be issued a replacement credential or endorsement without approval of the Commandant.

    46 CFR 10.235(d)“may not be issued a replacement credential or endorsement without approval of the Commandant.”

  5. When a credential or endorsement that is about to expire has been suspended without probation, renewal will be withheld until the suspension period expires.

    46 CFR 10.235(e)“the renewal of the credential or endorsement will be withheld until expiration of the suspension period.”

  6. An applicant for renewal or return of a Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels endorsement whose most recent credential was suspended or revoked by an administrative law judge for incompetence must complete the practical demonstration required under § 10.227(e)(6)(i).

    46 CFR 10.235(g)“must complete the practical demonstration required under § 10.227(e)(6)(i).”

  7. A mariner who has been denied a TWIC, or whose TWIC has been revoked, for a reason other than administrative reasons will be deemed ineligible for an MMC, License, MMD or COR.

    46 CFR 10.235(i)“A mariner who has either been denied issuance of a TWIC or whose TWIC has been revoked for a reason, other than administrative reasons”

Common questions

Can I get a new MMC after my credential is revoked?

Any MMC requested after revocation must be applied for as an original, following the procedures of the sections of this subchapter that the text names.

“any MMC subsequently requested must be applied for as an original following the procedures of §§ 5.901-5.905 of this subchapter.”

What happens if only some of my endorsements are suspended or revoked?

The mariner will be issued a replacement MMC reflecting the endorsements for which the mariner remains qualified, without payment of a fee.

“they will be issued, without payment of a fee, a replacement MMC reflecting those endorsements for which the mariner remains qualified.”

Can the Coast Guard act against my MMC if my TWIC is revoked?

Yes. If TSA advises the Coast Guard that a TWIC was denied or revoked, the Coast Guard may initiate suspension and revocation action against the mariner's MMC under 46 U.S.C. 7702 and 7703.

“the Coast Guard may initiate suspension and revocation action against the mariner's MMC under 46 U.S.C. 7702 and 7703.”

The text of 46 CFR 10.235

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

Suspension or revocation of Merchant Mariner Credentials

(a) Any MMC or endorsement is subject to suspension or revocation on the same grounds, in the same manner, and with like procedure as provided in 46 U.S.C. chapter 77.

(b) When any individual's credential is revoked, it is no longer valid for any purpose, and any MMC subsequently requested must be applied for as an original following the procedures of §§ 5.901-5.905 of this subchapter. When an endorsement on an individual's MMC is revoked, it is no longer valid, and any endorsement of the same type subsequently requested must be applied for as an original following the procedures of §§ 5.901-5.905 of this subchapter. When an officer's endorsement is revoked, the Coast Guard will issue an MMC containing any rating endorsement for which the holder is qualified.

(c) An applicant who has had a TWIC, credential, or endorsement revoked, and who is applying for a subsequent MMC or endorsement, must state in their application the date of revocation, the serial number of the document revoked, and the type of document or endorsement revoked.

(d) A person whose credential or endorsement has been revoked or suspended without probation may not be issued a replacement credential or endorsement without approval of the Commandant. If a mariner has multiple endorsements and one or more, but not all, of those endorsements are suspended or revoked, they will be issued, without payment of a fee, a replacement MMC reflecting those endorsements for which the mariner remains qualified.

(e) When a credential or endorsement that is about to expire has been suspended, without probation, the renewal of the credential or endorsement will be withheld until expiration of the suspension period.

(f) When applying for an original endorsement on an MMC, pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, an individual's existing service and training may be considered by the Coast Guard when determining the grade of the endorsement to be issued.

(g) An applicant for renewal or return of a credential with endorsement as Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels whose most recent credential has been suspended or revoked by an administrative law judge for incompetence must complete the practical demonstration required under § 10.227(e)(6)(i).

(h) If the Coast Guard is advised by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that a mariner has either been denied a TWIC or their TWIC has been revoked, the Coast Guard may initiate suspension and revocation action against the mariner's MMC under 46 U.S.C. 7702 and 7703. During the subsequent suspension and revocation proceeding, the TSA decision to deny issuance of, or to revoke, a mariner's TWIC will not be subject to review, and the mariner's failure to hold a TWIC will be treated by the Coast Guard as proof that the mariner is not eligible for an MMC, License, MMD or COR.

(i) A mariner who has either been denied issuance of a TWIC or whose TWIC has been revoked for a reason, other than administrative reasons (e.g., being lost or stolen, not functioning, or having a misspelling) will be deemed ineligible for an MMC, License, MMD or COR.

Sections it refers to

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.