46 CFR 10.301: Medical certificate general requirements for mariners
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section says the Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to a mariner who meets the medical and physical standards for merchant mariners. The Coast Guard reviews the information and decides whether to issue it, issue it with conditions, ask for more information, or deny it. It also sets how long certificates last.
Applies toApplicants for and holders of a medical certificate as a merchant mariner, except applicants holding no endorsement other than a staff officer endorsement.
What it says
The Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to a mariner who meets the medical and physical standards for merchant mariners.
46 CFR 10.301(a)“The Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to a mariner meeting the medical and physical standards for merchant mariners.”
The Coast Guard may issue a medical certificate with appropriate limitations, waivers or other conditions to an applicant who lacks the necessary vision, hearing, or general physical condition.
46 CFR 10.301(a)(3)“For an applicant who does not possess the vision, hearing, or general physical condition necessary, a medical certificate may be issued with appropriate limitations, waivers and/or other conditions as specified by the Coast Guard;”
If more information is needed, the Coast Guard will request it from the applicant. The Coast Guard may hold the package while waiting, before the package or application is denied.
46 CFR 10.301(a)(4)“The Coast Guard will request additional information from the applicant. The Coast Guard may hold the package pending receipt of that information before the package and/or application is denied; or”
The Coast Guard will deny the application if the applicant is not physically or medically qualified for the medical certificate.
46 CFR 10.301(a)(5)“The applicant is not physically and/or medically qualified for the medical certificate. The application for a medical certificate will be denied by the Coast Guard.”
Except as otherwise noted, persons employed or engaged onboard vessels to which STCW applies get a medical certificate valid for 2 years, or a maximum of 1 year if the mariner is under the age of 18.
46 CFR 10.301(b)(1)“All persons employed or engaged onboard vessels to which STCW applies will be issued a medical certificate valid for 2 years unless the mariner is under the age of 18, in which case the maximum period of validity will be 1 year.”
Except as otherwise noted, medical certificates for all other mariners are issued for a maximum period of 5 years.
46 CFR 10.301(b)(2)“Medical certificates issued to all other mariners will be issued for a maximum period of 5 years.”
An applicant who holds a current medical certificate and seeks additional MMC endorsements need not submit a new medical physical exam if the existing certification meets all requirements of this section for the endorsement sought.
46 CFR 10.301(c)“Applicants seeking additional MMC endorsements holding a current medical certificate are not required to submit a new medical physical exam”
Applicants holding no endorsement other than a staff officer endorsement need not meet the medical and physical requirements of this section.
46 CFR 10.301(d)“Applicants holding no endorsement other than a staff officer endorsement need not meet the medical and physical requirements of this section.”
Common questions
How long is a merchant mariner medical certificate valid?
Except as otherwise noted, it is valid for 2 years for persons on vessels to which STCW applies, or a maximum of 1 year if under age 18. All other mariners get a maximum of 5 years.
“Medical certificates issued to all other mariners will be issued for a maximum period of 5 years.”
Do I need a new medical exam to add an endorsement?
Not if you hold a current medical certificate that meets all requirements of this section for the endorsement sought.
“Applicants seeking additional MMC endorsements holding a current medical certificate are not required to submit a new medical physical exam”
Can I get a medical certificate with a vision or hearing problem?
Possibly. The Coast Guard may issue a certificate with appropriate limitations, waivers or other conditions it specifies.
“For an applicant who does not possess the vision, hearing, or general physical condition necessary, a medical certificate may be issued with appropriate limitations, waivers and/or other conditions as specified by the Coast Guard;”
Do staff officers need to meet the medical requirements?
No, if the applicant holds no endorsement other than a staff officer endorsement.
“Applicants holding no endorsement other than a staff officer endorsement need not meet the medical and physical requirements of this section.”
The text of 46 CFR 10.301
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
General requirements
(a) The Coast Guard will issue a medical certificate to a mariner meeting the medical and physical standards for merchant mariners. The medical certificate will be issued for various periods of time based upon the endorsements the mariner holds. The Coast Guard will review all information provided and will determine whether—
(1) The applicant is physically and medically qualified for the medical certificate without any limitations, waivers and/or other conditions;
(2) The applicant is physically and medically qualified for the medical certificate with limitations and/or other conditions as specified by the Coast Guard;
(3) For an applicant who does not possess the vision, hearing, or general physical condition necessary, a medical certificate may be issued with appropriate limitations, waivers and/or other conditions as specified by the Coast Guard;
(4) Additional information is necessary to determine if the applicant is physically and/or medically qualified for the medical certificate. The Coast Guard will request additional information from the applicant. The Coast Guard may hold the package pending receipt of that information before the package and/or application is denied; or
(5) The applicant is not physically and/or medically qualified for the medical certificate. The application for a medical certificate will be denied by the Coast Guard.
(b) Except as otherwise noted, medical certificates will be issued for the following periods of time:
(1) All persons employed or engaged onboard vessels to which STCW applies will be issued a medical certificate valid for 2 years unless the mariner is under the age of 18, in which case the maximum period of validity will be 1 year.
(2) Medical certificates issued to all other mariners will be issued for a maximum period of 5 years.
(c) Applicants seeking additional MMC endorsements holding a current medical certificate are not required to submit a new medical physical exam if their existing medical certification meets all of the requirements of this section for the endorsement sought.
(d) Applicants holding no endorsement other than a staff officer endorsement need not meet the medical and physical requirements of this section.
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.