46 CFR 11.305: STCW Master endorsement, 3,000 GT or more
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the requirements for an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 3,000 GT or more (management level). An applicant must show sea service, meet the STCW Code standard of competence, and complete approved training. It also covers renewal, exemptions, and entry paths from other endorsements.
Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 3,000 GT or more, and seafarers renewing that endorsement or moving up from certain other endorsements.
What it says
An applicant must provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes.
46 CFR 11.305(a)(1)“Provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes.”
The required service may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months.
46 CFR 11.305(a)(1)“This period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months.”
An applicant must provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code, which is incorporated by reference as described in § 11.102 of this part.
46 CFR 11.305(a)(2)“Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part); and”
For a renewal to be valid on or after January 1, 2017, each candidate must provide evidence of successful completion of approved training in leadership and managerial skills, and in ECDIS if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
46 CFR 11.305(b)“For a renewal of an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 3,000 GT or more to be valid on or after January 1, 2017, each candidate must provide evidence of successful completion of approved training in the following:”
The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code. The Coast Guard must approve these exemptions based upon vessel type.
46 CFR 11.305(c)“The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code.”
Holders of an STCW Master endorsement for vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT, in accordance with § 11.311, may apply after 6 months of sea service under that endorsement. They must complete any items in paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) not previously satisfied.
46 CFR 11.305(d)“are eligible to apply for the endorsement as Master of vessels of 3,000 GT or more upon completion of 6 months of sea service, under the authority of the endorsement,”
Common questions
How much sea service do I need for an STCW Master endorsement of 3,000 GT or more?
An applicant must provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW. This may be reduced to not less than 24 months with at least 12 months as Chief Mate.
“This period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months.”
Can inland waters service count toward the Master STCW endorsement?
Yes. Service on inland waters that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
“Service on inland waters that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.”
Can engine department experience count toward the required service?
Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements.
“Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements;”
Does a national Master unlimited tonnage endorsement need extra sea service for this STCW endorsement?
No. Table 1 lists no additional sea service for Master ocean or near-coastal, unlimited tonnage. The holder must still complete the competence and training items.
“Seafarers with one of the following national officer endorsements are eligible to apply for this endorsement upon completion of the requirements in table 1 to this paragraph:”
The text of 46 CFR 11.305
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of October 1, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 3,000 GT or more (management level)
Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 60882, Sept. 25, 2026.
(a) To qualify for an STCW endorsement as Master, an applicant must—
(1) Provide evidence of 36 months of service as OICNW on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal waters, and/or Great Lakes. This period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if the applicant served as Chief Mate for not less than 12 months. Service on inland waters that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 3 months of the service requirements;
(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part); and
(3) Provide evidence of having satisfactorily completed approved training in the following subject areas:
(i) Advanced ship handling.
(ii) Advanced stability.
(iii) Advanced meteorology.
(iv) Leadership and managerial skills.
(v) Search and rescue.
(vi) ARPA, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(vii) ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(viii) GMDSS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(ix) Management of medical care.
(b) For a renewal of an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 3,000 GT or more to be valid on or after January 1, 2017, each candidate must provide evidence of successful completion of approved training in the following:
(1) Leadership and managerial skills.
(2) ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment.
(c) The Coast Guard may exempt an applicant from meeting any individual knowledge, understanding, and proficiency required in Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code. These exemptions must be approved by the Coast Guard based upon vessel type. Under these circumstances, the credential may include a corresponding limitation.
(d) Seafarers holding an STCW endorsement as Master of vessels of 500 GT or more and less than 3,000 GT, in accordance with § 11.311, are eligible to apply for the endorsement as Master of vessels of 3,000 GT or more upon completion of 6 months of sea service, under the authority of the endorsement, and must complete any items in paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section not previously satisfied.
(e) Seafarers with one of the following national officer endorsements are eligible to apply for this endorsement upon completion of the requirements in table 1 to this paragraph:
Table 1 to § 11.305(e)—STCW Endorsement as Master of Vessels of 3,000 GT or More Entry path from national endorsements Sea service under authority of the endorsement 1 Competence—STCW Table A-II/2 2 Training required by this section 3 Master ocean or near-coastal, unlimited tonnage None Yes Yes. Master OSV None Yes Yes. 1 This column provides the minimum additional service required of the seafarer in order to meet the requirements of this section. 2 Complete any items in paragraph (a)(2) of this section not previously satisfied. 3 Complete any items in paragraph (a)(3) of this section not previously satisfied.
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 October 1, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.