46 CFR 10.403: General standards for approved maritime training schools

(a) Each school with an approved course must—

(1) Have a well-maintained facility that accommodates the students in a safe and comfortable environment conducive to learning;

(2) Have the necessary equipment, including simulators where appropriate, sufficient for the number of students to be accommodated, and support the objectives of the course;

(3) Administer training entirely in the English language unless specifically approved to be presented in another language;

(4) Administer written examinations to each student appropriate for the course material and the knowledge requirements of the position or endorsement for which the student is being trained. For a course approved to substitute for a Coast Guard-administered examination, the courses must be of such a degree of difficulty that a student who successfully completes them would most likely pass, on the first attempt, an examination prepared by the Coast Guard;

(5) Require each student to successfully demonstrate practical skills appropriate for the course material and equal to the level of endorsement for which the course is approved; and

(6) Keep physical or electronic copies of the following records for at least 5 years after the end of each student's completion or disenrollment from a course or program:

(i) A copy of each student's examination scores;

(ii) A copy of each examination or, in the case of a practical test, a report of such test;

(iii) A record of each student's classroom attendance, which includes their full name, Coast Guard-issued Mariner Reference Number, or date of birth and place of birth if they do not have a Mariner Reference Number;

(iv) A copy of each student's course completion certificate or program completion certificate, as appropriate;

(v) A summary of changes or modification to the last course submittal;

(vi) A list of all locations at which the training course was presented and the number of times it was presented at each location;

(vii) The name(s) of the instructor(s) who taught the course, which does not include lab assistants or other non-teaching assistants;

(viii) The number of students who began the training;

(ix) The number of students who successfully completed the training;

(x) The number of students who were required to retest;

(xi) The number of students who were required to retake the entire course and

(xii) The number of students who were required to retake a portion of the course.

(7) By November 25, 2026, for each student who successfully completes an approved course or program, in a manner specified by the Coast Guard, the school must electronically submit to the Coast Guard, within 5 business days of completion, the information listed in paragraphs (7)(i) through (v). By submitting records electronically to the Coast Guard, the submitter attests that they are accurate to the best of their knowledge and no false entries or statements were made under penalty of 18 U.S.C. 1001.

(i) The name of the school and Coast Guard-issued course provider code;

(ii) The title of the approved course or program, the Coast Guard-issued course code, and the dates the course was held;

(iii) The name of the Coast Guard-approved instructor who conducted the course;

(iv) The name of the student as it appears on their MMC or valid government-issued identification, along with their Coast Guard-issued Mariner Reference Number or date of birth and place of birth if they do not have a Mariner Reference Number; and

(v) The unique course certificate identification code associated with the course or program completion certificate issued to the student for the course.

(8) Not significantly change its approved curriculum without approval from the NMC as specified in § 10.402(e);

(9) Conduct an internal audit midway through the term of the course's approval and maintain the results of the audit for a period of not less than 5 years. The audit will evaluate whether—

(i) Records are being maintained according to these regulations;

(ii) The course is being presented in accordance with the approval letter; and

(iii) Surveys from students indicate that the course is meeting their needs; and

(10) At any time, allow the Coast Guard to—

(i) Inspect its facilities, equipment, and records, including scholastic records;

(ii) Conduct interviews and surveys of students to aid in course evaluation and improvement;

(iii) Assign personnel to observe or participate in the course of instruction; and

(iv) Supervise or administer the required examinations or practical demonstrations, including the substitution of an applicable Coast Guard examination in a course approved to substitute for a Coast Guard-administered examination.

(b) [Reserved]