46 CFR 11.903: Officer endorsements requiring examinations
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section lists the officer endorsements that require examinations for issuance. It says examinations vary by route for some endorsements. It also lists endorsements that do not require an examination, often when the applicant has already been examined at the management or operational level.
What it says
The officer endorsements listed in paragraph (a) require examinations for issuance.
46 CFR 11.903(a)“The following officer endorsements require examinations for issuance:”
Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage requires an examination at the management level.
46 CFR 11.903(a)(1)“Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage (examined at the management level).”
Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage requires an examination at the operational level.
46 CFR 11.903(a)(2)“Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage (examined at the operational level).”
For the endorsements in paragraphs (a)(1) through (4), and (a)(6), (7), (15), and (16), examinations will vary depending on the route desired.
46 CFR 11.903(b)“In paragraphs (a)(1) through (4), and (a)(6), (7), (15), and (16) of this section, examinations will vary depending on route desired.”
Master of oceans self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT will require an examination in celestial navigation.
46 CFR 11.903(c)(3)“Master of oceans self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT will, however, require an examination in celestial navigation.”
Second Mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels upgrading from Third Mate needs no examination if the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.
46 CFR 11.903(c)(4)“Second Mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels when upgrading from Third Mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels, provided the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.”
Common questions
Does a Master of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage need an exam to add Offshore Installation Manager?
No. The section lists adding an Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) endorsement to that Master endorsement as not requiring an examination.
“Master of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage when adding an endorsement as Offshore Installation Manager (OIM).”
Does an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels endorsement require an exam?
Yes. Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) is listed among the endorsements that require examinations for issuance.
“Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV).”
Does Second Assistant Engineer need an exam when upgrading from Third Assistant Engineer?
No, provided the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.
“Second Assistant Engineer when upgrading from Third Assistant Engineer, provided the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.”
The text of 46 CFR 11.903
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Officer endorsements requiring examinations
(a) The following officer endorsements require examinations for issuance:
(1) Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage (examined at the management level).
(2) Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage (examined at the operational level).
(3) Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT.
(4) Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 1,600 GRT.
(5) Master of near-coastal vessels less than 200 GRT.
(6) Mate of near-coastal vessels less than 200 GRT.
(7) Master of near-coastal vessels less than 100 GRT.
(8) Mate of near-coastal vessels less than 100 GRT.
(9) Master of Great Lakes and inland vessels of unlimited tonnage.
(10) Mate of Great Lakes and inland vessels of unlimited tonnage.
(11) Master of inland vessels of unlimited tonnage.
(12) Master of river vessels of unlimited tonnage.
(13) Master of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 500 GRT or less than 1,600 GRT.
(14) Mate of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 500 GRT or less than 1,600 GRT.
(15) Master of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 200 GRT.
(16) Mate of Great Lakes and inland/river vessels less than 200 GRT.
(17) Master of Great Lakes and inland.
(18) First-Class Pilot.
(19) Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels.
(20) Apprentice Mate of Towing Vessels-Limited.
(21) Offshore Installation Manager.
(22) Barge Supervisor.
(23) Ballast Control Operator (BCO).
(24) Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV).
(25) Master of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels.
(26) Mate of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels.
(27) Master-OSV.
(28) Chief Mate-OSV.
(29) Mate-OSV.
(30) First Assistant Engineer limited or unlimited propulsion power.
(31) Third Assistant Engineer limited or unlimited propulsion power.
(32) Chief Engineer-Limited steam/motor vessels.
(33) Assistant Engineer-Limited steam/motor vessels.
(34) Designated Duty Engineer steam/motor vessels.
(35) Chief Engineer Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels.
(36) Assistant Engineer Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels.
(37) Chief Engineer-MODU.
(38) Assistant Engineer-MODU.
(39) Chief Engineer-OSV.
(40) Assistant Engineer-OSV.
(b) In paragraphs (a)(1) through (4), and (a)(6), (7), (15), and (16) of this section, examinations will vary depending on route desired.
(c) The following officer endorsements do not require examinations:
(1) Master of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage when upgrading from MMC officer endorsements, or an endorsement as Chief Mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.
(2) Master of oceans or near-coastal vessels of unlimited tonnage when adding an endorsement as Offshore Installation Manager (OIM).
(3) Master of oceans or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT, when upgrading from Mate of near-coastal self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT. Master of oceans self-propelled vessels of less than 200 GRT will, however, require an examination in celestial navigation.
(4) Second Mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels when upgrading from Third Mate of oceans or near-coastal vessels, provided the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.
(5) Master of Great Lakes and inland vessels, or river vessels of less than 200 GRT when upgrading from Mate of less than 200 GRT on the same route.
(6) Chief Engineer-Unlimited, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.
(7) Chief Engineer-Limited to service on steam, motor, or gas turbine-propelled vessels of less than 10,000 HP/7,500 kW on near-coastal routes, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.
(8) Chief Engineer-Limited to service on steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels of less than 4,000 HP/3,000 kW on near-coastal routes, provided the applicant has already been examined at the management level.
(9) Second Assistant Engineer when upgrading from Third Assistant Engineer, provided the applicant has already been examined at the operational level.
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.