46 CFR 10.302: Medical and physical requirements for mariner credentials

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers the medical and physical standards a mariner must meet to qualify for a medical certificate. Table 1 lists which vision, hearing, general medical exam and physical ability requirements apply to each credential. Required tests must be performed, witnessed, or reviewed by a listed medical practitioner.

Applies toMariners seeking a medical certificate and the credentials listed in Table 1 to paragraph (a) of this section.

What it says

  1. A mariner must provide evidence of meeting the medical and physical standards in this section on a CG-719-K or CG-719-K/E, or as directed by the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 10.302(a)“To qualify for a medical certificate, a mariner must provide evidence of meeting the medical and physical standards in this section on a CG-719-K or CG-719-K/E, or as directed by the Coast Guard.”

  2. The Coast Guard retains final authority for determining whether a mariner is medically and physically qualified.

    46 CFR 10.302(a)“The Coast Guard retains final authority for determining whether a mariner is medically and physically qualified.”

  3. Columns 2 through 5 of Table 1 give the specific exam, test, or demonstrations required for the credential listed in column 1.

    46 CFR 10.302(a)“Columns 2 through 5 of Table 1 to paragraph (a) of this section provide the specific exam, test, or demonstrations required to obtain the corresponding credential listed in column 1.”

  4. Further clarifications of the table's requirements are found throughout this subpart.

    46 CFR 10.302(a)“Further clarifications of the requirements contained in the table are found throughout this subpart.”

  5. Any required test, exam, or demonstration must have been performed, witnessed, or reviewed by a Licensed Medical Doctor, Licensed Physician Assistant, Licensed Nurse Practitioner, or a Designated Medical Examiner.

    46 CFR 10.302(b)“Any required test, exam, or demonstration must have been performed, witnessed, or reviewed by a Licensed Medical Doctor, Licensed Physician Assistant, Licensed Nurse Practitioner, or a Designated Medical Examiner.”

  6. All licensed medical practitioners must hold a valid license issued in the United States.

    46 CFR 10.302(b)“All licensed medical practitioners must hold a valid license issued in the United States.”

Common questions

Who decides whether a mariner is medically qualified?

The Coast Guard retains final authority for determining whether a mariner is medically and physically qualified.

“The Coast Guard retains final authority for determining whether a mariner is medically and physically qualified.”

Who can perform the medical tests for a mariner credential?

A Licensed Medical Doctor, Licensed Physician Assistant, Licensed Nurse Practitioner, or a Designated Medical Examiner must have performed, witnessed, or reviewed any required test, exam, or demonstration.

“Any required test, exam, or demonstration must have been performed, witnessed, or reviewed by a Licensed Medical Doctor, Licensed Physician Assistant, Licensed Nurse Practitioner, or a Designated Medical Examiner.”

Does the medical practitioner need a U.S. license?

Yes. All licensed medical practitioners must hold a valid license issued in the United States.

“All licensed medical practitioners must hold a valid license issued in the United States.”

Where do I find which exams my credential requires?

Columns 2 through 5 of Table 1 to paragraph (a) give the specific exam, test, or demonstrations for the credential listed in column 1.

“Columns 2 through 5 of Table 1 to paragraph (a) of this section provide the specific exam, test, or demonstrations required to obtain the corresponding credential listed in column 1.”

The text of 46 CFR 10.302

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Medical and physical requirements

(a) To qualify for a medical certificate, a mariner must provide evidence of meeting the medical and physical standards in this section on a CG-719-K or CG-719-K/E, or as directed by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard retains final authority for determining whether a mariner is medically and physically qualified. Columns 2 through 5 of Table 1 to paragraph (a) of this section provide the specific exam, test, or demonstrations required to obtain the corresponding credential listed in column 1. Further clarifications of the requirements contained in the table are found throughout this subpart.

Table 1 to § 10.302(a)—Medical and Physical Requirements for Mariner Endorsements 1 2 3 4 5 Credential Vision test Hearing test General medical exam Demonstration of physical ability

(1) Deck officer, including Pilot § 10.305(a) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(2) Engineering officer § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(3) Radio Officer § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(4) OIM, BS, or BCO § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(5) Able Seafarer § 10.305(a) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(6) QMED § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(7) Able Seafarer-Deck § 10.305(a) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(8) RFPNW § 10.305(a) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(9) Able Seafarer-Engine § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(10) RFPEW § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(11) ETR § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(12) Tank vessel endorsement § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(13) Lifeboat Operator and PSC § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(14) Lifeboat Operator-Limited and PSC-Limited § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(15) Fast Rescue Boat § 10.305(b) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(16) Food Handler serving on vessels to which STCW does not apply § 10.304(b)

(17) Food Handler serving on vessels to which STCW applies § 10.304(b) § 10.304(c)

(18) Ratings, including entry level, serving on vessels to which STCW applies, other than those listed above § 10.304(c)

(19) Ratings, including entry level, serving on vessels to which STCW does not apply, other than those listed above

(20) VSO § 10.305(a) § 10.306 § 10.304(a) § 10.304(c)

(b) Any required test, exam, or demonstration must have been performed, witnessed, or reviewed by a Licensed Medical Doctor, Licensed Physician Assistant, Licensed Nurse Practitioner, or a Designated Medical Examiner. All licensed medical practitioners must hold a valid license issued in the United States.

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 March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.