46 CFR 12.505: Examination requirements for QMED endorsements

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the examination rules for QMED endorsements in certain ratings. Applicants must prove their knowledge of the subjects in Table 1 to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard. The examination must be conducted only in English.

Applies toApplicants for an endorsement as QMED in the rating of Oiler, Boiler Technician/Watertender, Junior Engineer, Pump Technician/Machinist, or Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer.

What it says

  1. Before the Coast Guard issues a QMED endorsement in these ratings, the applicant must prove their knowledge of the subjects listed in paragraph (c) of this section, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 12.505(a)“they must prove, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by oral or other means of examination, their knowledge of the subjects listed in paragraph (c) of this section.”

  2. The applicant may prove this knowledge by oral or other means of examination.

    46 CFR 12.505(a)“by oral or other means of examination, their knowledge of the subjects listed in paragraph (c) of this section.”

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

    46 CFR 12.505(b)“The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language.”

  4. Table 1 to § 12.505(c) lists the subjects required for each QMED rating.

    46 CFR 12.505(c)“Table 1 to § 12.505(c) provides a list of subjects required.”

Common questions

What language must the QMED exam be given in?

The examination must be conducted only in English. This applies whether it is oral or given by other means.

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

Does the QMED exam have to be oral?

No. The applicant may prove their knowledge by oral or other means of examination.

“by oral or other means of examination, their knowledge of the subjects listed in paragraph (c) of this section.”

Where is the list of QMED exam subjects?

Table 1 to § 12.505(c) provides the list of required subjects.

“Table 1 to § 12.505(c) provides a list of subjects required.”

The text of 46 CFR 12.505

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

Examination requirements

(a) Before an applicant is issued an endorsement as QMED in the rating of Oiler, Boiler Technician/Watertender, Junior Engineer, Pump Technician/Machinist, or Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer, they must prove, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by oral or other means of examination, their knowledge of the subjects listed in paragraph (c) of this section.

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

(c) Table 1 to § 12.505(c) provides a list of subjects required.

Table 1 to § 12.505(c)—Examination Subjects for QMED Ratings Subjects Pump technician/ machinist Boiler technician/ watertender Oiler Electrician/ refrigerating engineer Junior engineer General subjects: Auxiliary machinery X X X X X Basic safety procedures X X X X X Bearings X X X X Care of equipment and machine parts X X X X X Deck machinery X X X Drawings and tables X X X Heat exchangers X X X X X Hydraulic principles X X X Instrumentation principles X X X X X Lubrication principles X X X X Maintenance procedures X X X X X Measuring instruments X X X X X Pipes, fittings, and valves X X X X X Pollution prevention X X X X X Properties of fuel X X X Pumps, fans, and blowers X X X Refrigeration principles X X X Remote control equipment X X X X X Use of hand/power tools X X X X X Watch duties X X X Electrical subjects: A/C circuits X X Batteries X X Calculations X X Communication devices X X D/C circuits X X Distribution systems X X Electronic principles X X Generation equipment X X X Maintenance X X X Measuring devices X X Motor controllers X X Motors X X X Safety X X X X X Troubleshooting X Safety and environmental protection subjects: Communications X X X X X Damage control X X X X X Elementary first aid X X X X X Emergency equipment X X X X X

Environmental awareness X X X X X Fire prevention X X X X X Firefighting equipment X X X X X Firefighting principles X X X X X General safety X X X X X Hazardous materials X X X X X Shipboard equipment and systems subjects: Air conditioning X X Ballast X X X X Bilge X X X X Compressed air X X X X X Desalination X X Fuel oil storage/transfer X X X Fuel treatment X X X Heating/ventilation X X X Lubrication X X X X Potable water X X Refrigeration X X X Sanitary/sewage X X Steering X X X Steam propulsion subjects: Auxiliary turbines X X X Boiler fundamentals X X X Combustion principles X X X Condensate systems X X X Drive systems X X X Feedwater systems X X X Fuel service systems X X X Maintenance X X X X Safety X X X X X Steam fundamentals X X X X Turbine fundamentals X X X Motor propulsion subjects: Air-charge systems X X Cooling water systems X X Diesel engine principles X X X Drive systems X X X Fuel service systems X X Intake/exhaust X X Lubrication systems X X X Starting systems X X Waste heat/auxiliary boiler X X

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.