46 CFR 11.603: Radio Officer endorsement requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the license requirement for Radio Officer endorsements on a merchant mariner credential (MMC). Applicants must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T) issued by the Federal Communications Commission. They must also enter the license details on the application form.

Applies toEach applicant for an original endorsement or renewal of an MMC under this section.

What it says

  1. Each applicant for an original endorsement or renewal of an MMC must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T) issued by the Federal Communications Commission.

    “Each applicant for an original endorsement or renewal of an MMC must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T) issued by the Federal Communications Commission.”

  2. The applicant must enter the number, class, and date of issuance of their Federal Communications Commission License on the endorsement application form.

    “The applicant must enter on the endorsement application form the number, class, and date of issuance of their Federal Communications Commission License.”

Common questions

What license do I need for a Radio Officer endorsement?

You must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T) issued by the Federal Communications Commission. This applies to an original endorsement or a renewal of an MMC.

“must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T) issued by the Federal Communications Commission.”

What FCC license information goes on the Radio Officer endorsement application?

The applicant must enter the number, class, and date of issuance of their Federal Communications Commission License on the endorsement application form.

“The applicant must enter on the endorsement application form the number, class, and date of issuance of their Federal Communications Commission License.”

Does the Radio Officer license requirement apply to renewals?

Yes. Each applicant for an original endorsement or renewal of an MMC must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T).

“Each applicant for an original endorsement or renewal of an MMC must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T)”

The text of 46 CFR 11.603

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

Requirements for Radio Officer endorsements

Each applicant for an original endorsement or renewal of an MMC must provide evidence of a current Radiotelegraph Operator License (T) issued by the Federal Communications Commission. The applicant must enter on the endorsement application form the number, class, and date of issuance of their Federal Communications Commission License.

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.