46 CFR 11.709: Annual physical exams for pilots

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section applies only to an individual who pilots a vessel of 1,600 GRT or more. A First-Class Pilot, or a Master or Mate serving as a Pilot under § 15.812 of this subchapter, must have a thorough physical examination each year. Results go to the Coast Guard every five years and in certain other cases.

Applies toIt applies only to an individual who pilots a vessel of 1,600 GRT or more.

What it says

  1. This section applies only to an individual who pilots a vessel of 1,600 GRT or more.

    46 CFR 11.709(a)“This section applies only to an individual who pilots a vessel of 1,600 GRT or more.”

  2. Every person holding an MMC endorsement as First-Class Pilot, or a Master or Mate serving as a Pilot under § 15.812 of this subchapter, must have a thorough physical examination each year.

    46 CFR 11.709(b)“must have a thorough physical examination each year.”

  3. The annual exam must be completed by the first day of the month following the anniversary of the individual's most recently completed Coast Guard-required physical examination.

    46 CFR 11.709(b)“This annual physical examination must be completed by the first day of the month following the anniversary of the individual's most recently completed Coast Guard-required physical examination.”

  4. Each annual exam must meet the requirements specified in part 10, subpart C, of this subchapter and be recorded on the form CG-719K.

    46 CFR 11.709(b)“Each annual physical examination must meet the requirements specified in part 10, subpart C, of this subchapter and be recorded on the form CG-719K.”

  5. Every five years, the results of the most recent physical examination must be submitted to the Coast Guard, in accordance with §§ 10.301(b), 10.302(a), and 10.304(d) of this chapter.

    46 CFR 11.709(b)(1)“Every five years, in accordance with the medical certificate requirements in §§ 10.301(b), 10.302(a), and 10.304(d) of this chapter, the results of the most recent physical examination must be submitted to the Coast Guard.”

  6. If the Coast Guard requests the results of an examination, they must be submitted no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the request.

    46 CFR 11.709(b)(2)(iv)“If the Coast Guard requests the results of an examination, they must be submitted no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the request.”

  7. A First-Class Pilot endorsement becomes invalid on the first day of the month following the anniversary of the last exam if the person does not meet the requirement in paragraph (b). The individual may not operate under that endorsement until a physical examination has been satisfactorily completed.

    46 CFR 11.709(c)“The individual may not operate under the authority of that endorsement until a physical examination has been satisfactorily completed.”

  8. A Master or Mate may not serve as a Pilot on a vessel 1,600 GRT or more under § 15.812 of this subchapter if the person does not meet the physical examination requirements in paragraph (b).

    46 CFR 11.709(d)“A Master or Mate may not serve as a Pilot on a vessel 1,600 GRT or more under § 15.812 of this subchapter”

Common questions

How often must a First-Class Pilot have a physical exam?

A First-Class Pilot must have a thorough physical examination each year. It must be completed by the first day of the month following the anniversary of the most recent Coast Guard-required exam.

“must have a thorough physical examination each year.”

What happens if a First-Class Pilot misses the annual physical?

The First-Class Pilot endorsement becomes invalid, and the individual may not operate under it until a physical examination has been satisfactorily completed.

“The individual may not operate under the authority of that endorsement until a physical examination has been satisfactorily completed.”

How long do I have to send exam results when the Coast Guard asks for them?

Results must be submitted no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the request.

“If the Coast Guard requests the results of an examination, they must be submitted no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the request.”

What form records the annual pilot physical?

Each annual physical examination must be recorded on the form CG-719K.

“Each annual physical examination must meet the requirements specified in part 10, subpart C, of this subchapter and be recorded on the form CG-719K.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.709

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

Annual physical examination requirements

(a) This section applies only to an individual who pilots a vessel of 1,600 GRT or more.

(b) Every person holding an MMC endorsement as First-Class Pilot, or a Master or Mate serving as a Pilot under § 15.812 of this subchapter, must have a thorough physical examination each year. This annual physical examination must be completed by the first day of the month following the anniversary of the individual's most recently completed Coast Guard-required physical examination. Each annual physical examination must meet the requirements specified in part 10, subpart C, of this subchapter and be recorded on the form CG-719K.

(1) Every five years, in accordance with the medical certificate requirements in §§ 10.301(b), 10.302(a), and 10.304(d) of this chapter, the results of the most recent physical examination must be submitted to the Coast Guard.

(2) The results of the physical examination must also be submitted to the Coast Guard no later than 30 calendar days after completion of the physical examination in any of the following circumstances:

(i) The examining medical practitioner documents that the individual does not meet the physical ability requirements as set forth in § 10.304(c) of this subchapter;

(ii) The examining medical practitioner documents that the individual has a condition that does not meet the general medical exam requirements described in § 10.304(a), the vision requirements described in § 10.305, or the hearing requirements described in § 10.306 of this subchapter;

(iii) The examining medical practitioner documents on a CG-719K that the individual is not recommended for a medical certificate or needs further review by the Coast Guard as set forth in § 10.301(a) of this subchapter; or

(iv) If the Coast Guard requests the results of an examination, they must be submitted no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the request.

(c) An individual's First-Class Pilot endorsement becomes invalid on the first day of the month following the anniversary of the individual's most recently completed Coast Guard-required physical examination, if the person does not meet the physical examination requirement as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. The individual may not operate under the authority of that endorsement until a physical examination has been satisfactorily completed.

(d) A Master or Mate may not serve as a Pilot on a vessel 1,600 GRT or more under § 15.812 of this subchapter if the person does not meet the physical examination requirements provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

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.