46 CFR 11.510: Service for Chief Engineer endorsement
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum service needed for endorsement as Chief Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels. An applicant needs one year of service as First Assistant Engineer, or one year of service meeting the mixed-service rule. A holder may also qualify for an STCW endorsement.
Applies toApplicants for national endorsement as Chief Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels.
What it says
An applicant can qualify with one year of service as First Assistant Engineer.
46 CFR 11.510(a)(1)“One year of service as First Assistant Engineer; or”
An applicant can instead qualify with one year of service while holding an MMC endorsement as First Assistant Engineer.
46 CFR 11.510(a)(2)“One year of service while holding an MMC endorsement as First Assistant Engineer.”
Under the second option, at least 6 months must be as First Assistant Engineer, and the remainder must be as Assistant Engineer.
46 CFR 11.510(a)(2)“A minimum of 6 months of this service must have been as First Assistant Engineer, and the remainder must be as Assistant Engineer.”
Service as an Assistant Engineer other than First Assistant Engineer counts two-for-one, up to a maximum of 6 months, so 2 days as a Second or Third Assistant Engineer equals 1 day of creditable service.
46 CFR 11.510(a)(2)“Service as an Assistant Engineer other than First Assistant Engineer is accepted on a two-for-one basis to a maximum of 6 months”
A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to §§ 11.325 and 11.331 of this part.
46 CFR 11.510(b)“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325 and 11.331 of this part.”
Common questions
How much service do I need to be a Chief Engineer of steam, motor, or gas turbine vessels?
The minimum is one year of service as First Assistant Engineer, or one year of service meeting the rules in paragraph (a)(2).
“One year of service as First Assistant Engineer; or”
Does time as Second or Third Assistant Engineer count toward Chief Engineer?
Yes, it is accepted on a two-for-one basis to a maximum of 6 months. Two days of service as a Second or Third Assistant Engineer equal 1 day of creditable service.
“2 days of service as a Second or Third Assistant Engineer equals 1 day of creditable service”
Can a Chief Engineer endorsement holder get an STCW endorsement?
A holder may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to §§ 11.325 and 11.331 of this part.
“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325 and 11.331 of this part.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.510
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Service requirements for national endorsement as Chief Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels
(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as Chief Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is—
(1) One year of service as First Assistant Engineer; or
(2) One year of service while holding an MMC endorsement as First Assistant Engineer. A minimum of 6 months of this service must have been as First Assistant Engineer, and the remainder must be as Assistant Engineer. Service as an Assistant Engineer other than First Assistant Engineer is accepted on a two-for-one basis to a maximum of 6 months (2 days of service as a Second or Third Assistant Engineer equals 1 day of creditable service).
(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325 and 11.331 of this part.
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.