46 CFR 12.405: Examination for Able Seafarer endorsements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets out how an applicant proves they are qualified for an Able Seafarer endorsement. The applicant must show seamanship knowledge and ability to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by examination or by demonstration in a Coast Guard-approved course. The examination must be conducted only in English, and the applicant must also make knots and show knowledge of pollution rules.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as an Able Seafarer.

What it says

  1. Before the Coast Guard issues an Able Seafarer endorsement, the applicant must prove their knowledge of seamanship and ability to carry out all Able Seafarer duties, including those of a Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 12.405(a)“they must prove, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by oral or other means of examination, or by actual demonstration in a Coast Guard-approved course, their knowledge of seamanship”

  2. The applicant may make this proof by oral or other means of examination, or by actual demonstration in a Coast Guard-approved course.

    46 CFR 12.405(a)“by oral or other means of examination, or by actual demonstration in a Coast Guard-approved course”

  3. The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language.

    46 CFR 12.405(b)“The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language”

  4. The examination must include questions on nautical terms, use of the compass for navigation, running lights, passing signals, fog signals for vessels on the high seas, inland waters, or Great Lakes, and distress signals.

    46 CFR 12.405(b)(1)“knowledge of nautical terms, use of the compass for navigation, running lights, passing signals, and fog signals for vessels on the high seas, inland waters, or Great Lakes, and distress signals”

  5. The examination must also include questions on commands in handling the wheel as helmsman and on the use of the engine room telegraph.

    46 CFR 12.405(b)(2)“knowledge of commands in handling the wheel by obeying orders passed to them as helmsman, and knowledge of the use of the engine room telegraph”

  6. The applicant must provide evidence, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, of knowledge of principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by actually making them.

    46 CFR 12.405(c)“knowledge of principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by actually making them”

  7. The applicant must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, knowledge of pollution laws and regulations, discharge containment and cleanup procedures, and methods for disposal of sludge and waste material from cargo and fueling operations.

    46 CFR 12.405(d)“knowledge of pollution laws and regulations, procedures for discharge containment and cleanup, and methods for disposal of sludge and waste material from cargo and fueling operations”

Common questions

What language is the Able Seafarer examination given in?

The examination must be conducted only in the English language, whether it is administered orally or by other means.

“must be conducted only in the English language and must consist of questions regarding—”

Can I demonstrate my ability in a course instead of taking an exam for Able Seafarer?

Yes. The applicant may prove knowledge and ability by actual demonstration in a Coast Guard-approved course instead of by examination.

“or by actual demonstration in a Coast Guard-approved course”

Do I have to make knots for the Able Seafarer endorsement?

Yes. The applicant must provide evidence of knowledge of principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by actually making them.

“knowledge of principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by actually making them”

The text of 46 CFR 12.405

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

Examination and demonstration of ability for Able Seafarer endorsements

(a) Before an applicant is issued an endorsement as an Able Seafarer, they must prove, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by oral or other means of examination, or by actual demonstration in a Coast Guard-approved course, their knowledge of seamanship and the ability to carry out effectively all the duties that may be required of an Able Seafarer, including those of a Lifeboat Operator or Lifeboat Operator-Limited.

(b) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language and must consist of questions regarding—

(1) The applicant's knowledge of nautical terms, use of the compass for navigation, running lights, passing signals, and fog signals for vessels on the high seas, inland waters, or Great Lakes, and distress signals; and

(2) The applicant's knowledge of commands in handling the wheel by obeying orders passed to them as helmsman, and knowledge of the use of the engine room telegraph.

(c) The applicant must provide evidence, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, of the knowledge of principal knots, bends, splices, and hitches in common use by actually making them.

(d) The applicant must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, knowledge of pollution laws and regulations, procedures for discharge containment and cleanup, and methods for disposal of sludge and waste material from cargo and fueling operations.

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.