46 CFR 12.205: Examination procedures for rating and STCW endorsements
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets out how examinations work for rating endorsements and how the Coast Guard handles STCW endorsement applications. The applicant must pay the examination fee before taking the first section. Retests are allowed, with a 90-day wait after a third failure.
Applies toApplicants for a rating endorsement or an STCW endorsement.
What it says
The applicant must pay the examination fee in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter before taking the first section of the examination.
46 CFR 12.205(a)“The examination fee set out in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter must be paid before the applicant may take the first section of the examination.”
After receiving a rating endorsement application, the Coast Guard will give any required examination as soon as practicable once it determines the applicant is otherwise qualified.
46 CFR 12.205(b)“the Coast Guard will give any required examination as soon as practicable after determining that the applicant is otherwise qualified for the endorsement.”
An applicant for a rating endorsement who has been duly examined and failed may seek reexamination at any time after the initial examination.
46 CFR 12.205(c)“may seek reexamination at any time after the initial examination.”
An applicant who fails an examination for the third time must wait 90 days before re-testing.
46 CFR 12.205(c)“an applicant who fails an examination for the third time must wait 90 days before re-testing.”
All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.
46 CFR 12.205(c)“All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.”
After receiving an STCW endorsement application, the Coast Guard will evaluate the applicant's qualifications.
46 CFR 12.205(d)“Upon receipt of an application for an STCW endorsement, the Coast Guard will evaluate the applicant's qualifications.”
The Coast Guard will issue the appropriate endorsement after determining that the applicant satisfactorily meets all requirements for any requested STCW rating or qualification.
46 CFR 12.205(d)“The Coast Guard will issue the appropriate endorsement after determining that the applicant satisfactorily meets all requirements for any requested STCW rating or qualification.”
Common questions
When must I pay the exam fee for a rating endorsement?
The applicant must pay the fee before taking the first section of the examination. The fee is set out in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter.
“The examination fee set out in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter must be paid before the applicant may take the first section of the examination.”
How long must I wait to retest after failing a rating exam?
An applicant who fails an examination for the third time must wait 90 days before re-testing. The text sets no such wait for earlier failures.
“an applicant who fails an examination for the third time must wait 90 days before re-testing.”
How long do I have to finish all exams and retests?
All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.
“All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.”
When will the Coast Guard issue an STCW endorsement?
The Coast Guard will issue the appropriate endorsement after determining that the applicant satisfactorily meets all requirements for any requested STCW rating or qualification.
“The Coast Guard will issue the appropriate endorsement after determining that the applicant satisfactorily meets all requirements for any requested STCW rating or qualification.”
The text of 46 CFR 12.205
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Examination procedures and denial of rating and STCW endorsements
(a) The examination fee set out in Table 1 to § 10.219(a) of this subchapter must be paid before the applicant may take the first section of the examination.
(b) Upon receipt of an application for a rating endorsement, the Coast Guard will give any required examination as soon as practicable after determining that the applicant is otherwise qualified for the endorsement.
(c) An applicant for a rating endorsement who has been duly examined and failed the examination may seek reexamination at any time after the initial examination. However, an applicant who fails an examination for the third time must wait 90 days before re-testing. All examinations and retests must be completed within 1 year of approval for examination.
(d) Upon receipt of an application for an STCW endorsement, the Coast Guard will evaluate the applicant's qualifications. The Coast Guard will issue the appropriate endorsement after determining that the applicant satisfactorily meets all requirements for any requested STCW rating or qualification.
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.