46 CFR 11.217: Examination procedures and denial of endorsements
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the rules for taking and retaking examinations for endorsements. It requires payment of the exam fee first and sets retest and re-examination rules based on how many sections an applicant fails. It also requires the Coast Guard to give a written statement when it refuses an endorsement because the applicant failed a required examination.
Applies toApplicants who must pass an examination for an endorsement, and the Coast Guard when it refuses an endorsement because an applicant failed a required examination.
What it says
The applicant must pay the examination fee set out in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter before taking the first examination section.
46 CFR 11.217(a)“The examination fee set out in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter must be paid before the applicant may take the first examination section.”
An applicant who fails three or more sections of the examination must take a complete re-examination.
46 CFR 11.217(a)“If an applicant fails three or more sections of the examination, a complete re-examination must be taken.”
If the applicant again fails three or more sections on the subsequent exam, at least 3 months must pass before another complete examination is attempted, and a new examination fee is required.
46 CFR 11.217(a)“On the subsequent exam, if the applicant again fails three or more sections, at least 3 months must elapse before another complete examination is attempted, and a new examination fee is required.”
An applicant who fails one or two sections of an examination may be retested twice on those sections during the next 3 months.
46 CFR 11.217(a)“If an applicant fails one or two sections of an examination, the applicant may be retested twice on these sections during the next 3 months.”
If the applicant does not pass those sections within the 3-month period, a complete re-examination must be taken at least 3 months from the date of the last retest, and a new examination fee is required.
46 CFR 11.217(a)“a complete re-examination must be taken at least 3 months from the date of the last retest, and a new examination fee is required.”
The retest period may not be extended beyond 7 months from the initial examination.
46 CFR 11.217(a)“The retest period may not be extended beyond 7 months from the initial examination.”
All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.
46 CFR 11.217(a)“All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.”
If the Coast Guard refuses an endorsement because the applicant failed a required examination, it will give the applicant a written statement of the portions to retake and the date by which the examination must be completed.
46 CFR 11.217(b)“the Coast Guard will provide the applicant with a written statement setting forth the portions of the examination that must be retaken and the date by which the examination must be completed.”
Common questions
What happens if I fail three or more sections of the Coast Guard exam?
A complete re-examination must be taken. If the applicant again fails three or more sections on the subsequent exam, at least 3 months must pass before another complete examination, and a new examination fee is required.
“If an applicant fails three or more sections of the examination, a complete re-examination must be taken.”
How many times can I retest if I fail one or two exam sections?
The applicant may be retested twice on those sections during the next 3 months.
“If an applicant fails one or two sections of an examination, the applicant may be retested twice on these sections during the next 3 months.”
Can the 3-month retest period be extended?
Yes, the Coast Guard may extend it if the applicant provides evidence documenting sea time that prevented a retest. The retest period may not be extended beyond 7 months from the initial examination.
“The 3-month retest period may be extended by the Coast Guard if the applicant provides evidence documenting sea time that prevented the taking of a retest during the 3-month period.”
What do I get if the Coast Guard refuses my endorsement for failing the exam?
The Coast Guard will give the applicant a written statement of the portions of the examination that must be retaken and the date by which the examination must be completed.
“the Coast Guard will provide the applicant with a written statement setting forth the portions of the examination that must be retaken and the date by which the examination must be completed.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.217
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Examination procedures and denial of officer endorsements
(a) The examination fee set out in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter must be paid before the applicant may take the first examination section. If an applicant fails three or more sections of the examination, a complete re-examination must be taken. On the subsequent exam, if the applicant again fails three or more sections, at least 3 months must elapse before another complete examination is attempted, and a new examination fee is required. If an applicant fails one or two sections of an examination, the applicant may be retested twice on these sections during the next 3 months. If the applicant does not successfully complete these sections within the 3-month period, a complete re-examination must be taken at least 3 months from the date of the last retest, and a new examination fee is required. The 3-month retest period may be extended by the Coast Guard if the applicant provides evidence documenting sea time that prevented the taking of a retest during the 3-month period. The retest period may not be extended beyond 7 months from the initial examination. All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.
(b) If the Coast Guard refuses to grant an applicant the endorsement applied for due to the applicant's failure to pass a required examination, the Coast Guard will provide the applicant with a written statement setting forth the portions of the examination that must be retaken and the date by which the examination must be completed.
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.