46 CFR 11.901: General examination provisions for mariner endorsements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets general rules for examinations for mariner endorsements. Each applicant for an endorsement listed in § 11.903 must pass an examination where that section requires it. The Coast Guard may amend the exam for limited endorsements, and simulators used in assessments required by subpart C must meet STCW standards, except certain older simulators.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement listed in § 11.903 where that section requires an examination, and simulators used in assessments of competence required by subpart C of this part.

What it says

  1. Where § 11.903 of this subpart requires it, each applicant for an endorsement listed in that section must pass an examination on the appropriate subjects listed in this subpart.

    46 CFR 11.901(a)“each applicant for an endorsement listed in that section must pass an examination on the appropriate subjects listed in this subpart.”

  2. The Coast Guard may amend the examination if the endorsement is limited in a way that makes any of the subject matter unnecessary or inappropriate.

    46 CFR 11.901(b)“If the endorsement is to be limited in a manner that would render any of the subject matter unnecessary or inappropriate, the examination may be amended accordingly by the Coast Guard.”

  3. Restricted routes for reduced service officer endorsements may affect the examination content. These are Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT, OUPV, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels.

    46 CFR 11.901(b)(1)“Restricted routes for reduced service officer endorsements (Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT, OUPV, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels).”

  4. A limitation to a certain class or classes of vessels may also affect the examination content.

    46 CFR 11.901(b)(2)“Limitations to a certain class or classes of vessels.”

  5. Simulators used in assessments of competence required by subpart C of this part must meet the appropriate performance standards in Section A-I/12 of the STCW Code, except as the text provides for simulators installed or brought into use before February 1, 2002.

    46 CFR 11.901(c)“Simulators used in assessments of competence required by subpart C of this part must meet the appropriate performance standards set out in Section A-I/12 of the STCW Code”

  6. Simulators installed or brought into use before February 1, 2002 need not meet these performance standards if they fulfill the objective of the assessment of competence or demonstration of proficiency.

    46 CFR 11.901(c)“simulators installed or brought into use before February 1, 2002, need not meet these performance standards if they fulfill the objective of the assessment of competence or demonstration of proficiency.”

Common questions

Who must pass an examination for a mariner endorsement?

Where § 11.903 requires it, each applicant for an endorsement listed in that section must pass an examination. The examination covers the appropriate subjects listed in this subpart.

“each applicant for an endorsement listed in that section must pass an examination on the appropriate subjects listed in this subpart.”

Can the Coast Guard change the exam for a limited endorsement?

Yes. If a limitation would make any subject matter unnecessary or inappropriate, the Coast Guard may amend the examination accordingly.

“If the endorsement is to be limited in a manner that would render any of the subject matter unnecessary or inappropriate, the examination may be amended accordingly by the Coast Guard.”

Do older simulators have to meet STCW performance standards?

Simulators installed or brought into use before February 1, 2002 need not meet the standards if they fulfill the objective of the assessment of competence or demonstration of proficiency.

“simulators installed or brought into use before February 1, 2002, need not meet these performance standards if they fulfill the objective of the assessment of competence or demonstration of proficiency.”

The text of 46 CFR 11.901

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

General provisions

(a) Where required by § 11.903 of this subpart, each applicant for an endorsement listed in that section must pass an examination on the appropriate subjects listed in this subpart.

(b) If the endorsement is to be limited in a manner that would render any of the subject matter unnecessary or inappropriate, the examination may be amended accordingly by the Coast Guard. Limitations that may affect the examination content are as follows:

(1) Restricted routes for reduced service officer endorsements (Master or Mate of vessels of less than 200 GRT, OUPV, or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels).

(2) Limitations to a certain class or classes of vessels.

(c) Simulators used in assessments of competence required by subpart C of this part must meet the appropriate performance standards set out in Section A-I/12 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 11.102 of this part). However, simulators installed or brought into use before February 1, 2002, need not meet these performance standards if they fulfill the objective of the assessment of competence or demonstration of proficiency.

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.