46 CFR 11.512: Service for First Assistant Engineer endorsement

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the minimum service an applicant needs for endorsement as First Assistant Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels. An applicant needs one year of service by one of two routes. A holder may also qualify for an STCW endorsement under three other sections.

Applies toApplicants for national endorsement as First Assistant Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels.

What it says

  1. An applicant for First Assistant Engineer endorsement must meet the minimum service set out in this section.

    46 CFR 11.512(a)“The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as First Assistant Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is—”

  2. One way to qualify is one year of service as an Assistant Engineer while holding an MMC with a Second Assistant Engineer endorsement.

    46 CFR 11.512(a)(1)“One year of service as an Assistant Engineer while holding an MMC with a Second Assistant Engineer endorsement; or”

  3. The other way to qualify is one year of service as a Chief Engineer-Limited and completion of the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part.

    46 CFR 11.512(a)(2)“One year of service as a Chief Engineer-Limited and completing the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part.”

  4. A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.331, and 11.333 of this part.

    46 CFR 11.512(b)“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.331, and 11.333 of this part.”

Common questions

How much service do I need for a First Assistant Engineer endorsement?

The text requires one year of service under either route. One route is as an Assistant Engineer holding an MMC with a Second Assistant Engineer endorsement. The other is as a Chief Engineer-Limited, plus the appropriate examination.

“One year of service as an Assistant Engineer while holding an MMC with a Second Assistant Engineer endorsement; or”

Does the Chief Engineer-Limited route require an examination?

Yes. That route requires one year of service as a Chief Engineer-Limited and completing the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part.

“One year of service as a Chief Engineer-Limited and completing the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part.”

Can a First Assistant Engineer get an STCW endorsement?

A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement. The text points to §§ 11.327, 11.331, and 11.333 of this part.

“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.331, and 11.333 of this part.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.512

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

Service requirements for national endorsement as First Assistant Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels

(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as First Assistant Engineer of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is—

(1) One year of service as an Assistant Engineer while holding an MMC with a Second Assistant Engineer endorsement; or

(2) One year of service as a Chief Engineer-Limited and completing the appropriate examination described in subpart I of this part.

(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.327, 11.331, and 11.333 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.