46 CFR 11.542: Chief Engineer-MODU endorsement requirements
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the requirements for an endorsement as Chief Engineer-MODU. An applicant must show qualifying MODU sea service and firefighting training. The Coast Guard may issue a limited endorsement when self-propelled service is missing.
Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Chief Engineer-MODU.
What it says
An applicant may qualify with six years of employment assigned to MODUs, including 3 years in listed or equivalent positions such as Mechanic, Motorman, or Toolpusher.
46 CFR 11.542(a)(1)(i)“Six years of employment assigned to MODUs, including 3 years of employment as Mechanic, Motorman, Subsea Engineer, Electrician, Barge Engineer, Toolpusher, Unit Superintendent, Crane Operator, or equivalent.”
Under the six-year option, 18 months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.
46 CFR 11.542(a)(1)(i)“Eighteen months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.”
An applicant may instead qualify with two years of employment assigned to MODUs as an Assistant Engineer-MODU.
46 CFR 11.542(a)(1)(ii)“Two years of employment assigned to MODUs as an Assistant Engineer-MODU.”
Under the two-year option, 12 months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.
46 CFR 11.542(a)(1)(ii)“Twelve months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; and”
An applicant must provide evidence of completing a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h).
46 CFR 11.542(a)(2)“Provide evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h).”
If an applicant passes the examination and has the total required sea service but lacks the required self-propelled service, the Coast Guard may issue an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.
46 CFR 11.542(b)“the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.”
The Coast Guard may remove the limitation once it receives satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and the applicant completes any additional required examination.
46 CFR 11.542(b)“The Coast Guard may remove the limitation upon providing satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination.”
Common questions
How much sea service do I need for Chief Engineer-MODU?
You need either six years of MODU employment, including 3 years in listed or equivalent positions, or two years as an Assistant Engineer-MODU. Each option has a self-propelled or propulsion assisted service requirement.
“Two years of employment assigned to MODUs as an Assistant Engineer-MODU.”
Can I get a Chief Engineer-MODU endorsement without self-propelled unit service?
The Coast Guard may issue an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units if you pass the examination and have the total required sea service.
“the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units.”
Can a Chief Engineer-MODU get an STCW endorsement?
A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement according to §§ 11.325, 11.327, and 11.331 of this part.
“A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325, 11.327, and 11.331 of this part.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.542
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Endorsement as Chief Engineer-MODU
(a) To qualify for an endorsement as Chief Engineer-MODU an applicant must—
(1) Provide evidence of one of the following:
(i) Six years of employment assigned to MODUs, including 3 years of employment as Mechanic, Motorman, Subsea Engineer, Electrician, Barge Engineer, Toolpusher, Unit Superintendent, Crane Operator, or equivalent. Eighteen months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units.
(ii) Two years of employment assigned to MODUs as an Assistant Engineer-MODU. Twelve months of that employment must have been assigned to self-propelled or propulsion assisted units; and
(2) Provide evidence of completion of a firefighting training course as required by § 11.201(h).
(b) If an applicant successfully completes an examination and possesses the total required sea service for an endorsement as Chief Engineer-MODU, but does not possess the required sea service onboard self-propelled or propulsion assisted units, the Coast Guard may issue the applicant an endorsement limited to non-self-propelled units. The Coast Guard may remove the limitation upon providing satisfactory evidence of the required self-propelled sea service and completion of any additional required examination.
(c) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§ 11.325, 11.327, 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.