46 CFR 12.503: QMED service and training requirements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the service needed for a Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) endorsement. An applicant must show 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to Wiper or Coal Passer. Approved training programs may substitute for required service.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED).

What it says

  1. An applicant for a QMED endorsement must give the Coast Guard proof of qualification based on 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to Wiper or Coal Passer.

    46 CFR 12.503(a)“must provide the Coast Guard with proof of qualification based on 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to that of Wiper or Coal Passer”

  2. Approved training programs may be substituted for the required periods of service as the section describes.

    46 CFR 12.503(b)“Approved training programs may be substituted for the required periods of service as follows:”

  3. A school ship graduate may qualify for a QMED rating endorsement without further service after satisfactorily completing the program of instruction.

    46 CFR 12.503(b)(1)“A graduate of a school ship may qualify for a rating endorsement as QMED, without further service, upon satisfactory completion of the program of instruction.”

  4. A school ship is an institution that offers a complete approved program of instruction, including a period of at-sea training, in the skills appropriate to the rating of QMED.

    46 CFR 12.503(b)(1)“school ship is interpreted to mean an institution that offers a complete approved program of instruction, including a period of at-sea training, in the skills appropriate to the rating of QMED.”

  5. Training programs that are not school ships may be substituted for up to one-half of the required service.

    46 CFR 12.503(b)(2)“Training programs, other than those classified as a school ship, may be substituted for up to one-half of the required service.”

  6. The Coast Guard determines the service/training ratio for each program.

    46 CFR 12.503(b)(2)“The service/training ratio for each program is determined by the Coast Guard.”

Common questions

How much service do I need for a QMED endorsement?

You must provide proof of qualification based on 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to Wiper or Coal Passer.

“must provide the Coast Guard with proof of qualification based on 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to that of Wiper or Coal Passer”

Can a school ship graduate get a QMED endorsement without service?

Yes. A school ship graduate may qualify for a QMED rating endorsement without further service after satisfactorily completing the program of instruction.

“A graduate of a school ship may qualify for a rating endorsement as QMED, without further service, upon satisfactory completion of the program of instruction.”

How much service can other training programs replace for QMED?

Training programs other than school ships may be substituted for up to one-half of the required service. The Coast Guard determines the service/training ratio for each program.

“Training programs, other than those classified as a school ship, may be substituted for up to one-half of the required service.”

The text of 46 CFR 12.503

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

Service or training requirements

(a) An applicant for an endorsement as Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) must provide the Coast Guard with proof of qualification based on 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to that of Wiper or Coal Passer.

(b) Approved training programs may be substituted for the required periods of service as follows:

(1) A graduate of a school ship may qualify for a rating endorsement as QMED, without further service, upon satisfactory completion of the program of instruction. For this purpose, school ship is interpreted to mean an institution that offers a complete approved program of instruction, including a period of at-sea training, in the skills appropriate to the rating of QMED.

(2) Training programs, other than those classified as a school ship, may be substituted for up to one-half of the required service. The service/training ratio for each program is determined by the Coast Guard.

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.