46 CFR 11.337: Vessel Security Officer endorsement requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers what an applicant must meet to qualify for an endorsement as Vessel Security Officer (VSO). The applicant must provide documentary evidence under 33 CFR 104.215 and meet the physical examination requirements. The applicant must also meet the safety and suitability and National Driver Registry review requirements, unless already met within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Vessel Security Officer (VSO).

What it says

  1. An applicant for a Vessel Security Officer (VSO) endorsement must provide satisfactory documentary evidence in accordance with the requirements in 33 CFR 104.215.

    46 CFR 11.337(a)“must provide satisfactory documentary evidence in accordance with the requirements in 33 CFR 104.215.”

  2. All applicants for an endorsement must meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR part 10, subpart C.

    46 CFR 11.337(b)“All applicants for an endorsement must meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR part 10, subpart C.”

  3. All applicants for this endorsement must meet the safety and suitability requirements and the National Driver Registry review requirements in § 10.209(e) of this subchapter, unless they have met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.

    46 CFR 11.337(c)“must meet the safety and suitability requirements and the National Driver Registry review requirements in § 10.209(e) of this subchapter, unless they have met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.”

Common questions

What evidence do I need to apply for a Vessel Security Officer endorsement?

The applicant must provide satisfactory documentary evidence in accordance with the requirements in 33 CFR 104.215.

“must provide satisfactory documentary evidence in accordance with the requirements in 33 CFR 104.215.”

Do VSO endorsement applicants need a physical examination?

Yes. All applicants for an endorsement must meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR part 10, subpart C.

“All applicants for an endorsement must meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR part 10, subpart C.”

Can I skip the National Driver Registry review for a VSO endorsement?

Only if you have met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.

“unless they have met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.337

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Vessel Security Officer

(a) The applicant for an endorsement as Vessel Security Officer (VSO) must provide satisfactory documentary evidence in accordance with the requirements in 33 CFR 104.215.

(b) All applicants for an endorsement must meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR part 10, subpart C.

(c) All applicants for this endorsement must meet the safety and suitability requirements and the National Driver Registry review requirements in § 10.209(e) of this subchapter, unless they have met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.

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.