46 CFR 12.611: STCW endorsement as Electro-technical Rating

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets out what an applicant must show to qualify for an STCW endorsement as an Electro-technical Rating (ETR). The applicant must be at least 18, show sea service or an approved program, show the standard of competence, and complete two approved courses. It also gives a path for holders of certain national rating endorsements.

Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement as Electro-technical Rating.

What it says

  1. An applicant for the ETR endorsement must be not less than 18 years of age.

    46 CFR 12.611(a)(1)“Be not less than 18 years of age;”

  2. One way to qualify is to provide evidence of twelve months of seagoing service that includes engine room watchkeeping training and experience.

    46 CFR 12.611(a)(2)(i)“Twelve months of seagoing service, that includes training and experience associated with engine room watchkeeping functions”

  3. Another way to qualify is to provide proof of completing a Coast Guard-approved or -accepted program that includes not less than 6 months of approved seagoing service.

    46 CFR 12.611(a)(2)(ii)“Proof of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved or -accepted program, which includes not less than 6 months of approved seagoing service; or”

  4. A third way to qualify is to have qualifications meeting the standard of competence in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code and approved seagoing service of not less than 3 months.

    46 CFR 12.611(a)(2)(iii)“Qualifications meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code”

  5. The applicant must also provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code.

    46 CFR 12.611(a)(3)“Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code; and”

  6. The applicant must provide evidence of completing an approved course in computer systems and maintenance and an approved course in high-voltage power systems.

    46 CFR 12.611(a)(4)“Provide evidence of completion of an approved course in—”

  7. An applicant who holds an STCW endorsement as Able Seafarer-Engine and a national rating endorsement as Electrician, Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer, or Junior Engineer will be issued the ETR endorsement after completing Section A-III/7 requirements and the paragraph (a)(4) training.

    46 CFR 12.611(b)“will be issued the ETR endorsement upon completion of the requirements in Section A-III/7 of the STCW Code”

Common questions

What is the minimum age for an STCW Electro-technical Rating endorsement?

An applicant must be not less than 18 years of age.

“Be not less than 18 years of age;”

What courses are required for an ETR endorsement?

The applicant must provide evidence of completing an approved course in computer systems and maintenance and one in high-voltage power systems.

“Provide evidence of completion of an approved course in—”

How much sea service does an ETR applicant need?

The applicant may show twelve months of seagoing service, or completion of an approved program with not less than 6 months of approved seagoing service, or Table A-III/7 qualifications with approved seagoing service of not less than 3 months.

“Proof of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved or -accepted program, which includes not less than 6 months of approved seagoing service; or”

Can a Junior Engineer get the ETR endorsement with no extra sea service?

Table 1 lists Junior Engineer with no additional sea service required, but the seafarer must complete any paragraph (a)(3) items not previously satisfied.

“Complete any items in paragraph (a)(3) of this section not previously satisfied.”

The text of 46 CFR 12.611

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of October 1, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Electro-technical Rating on vessels powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW/1,000 HP or more

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 60884, Sept. 25, 2026.

(a) To qualify for an STCW endorsement as an Electro-technical Rating (ETR), an applicant must—

(1) Be not less than 18 years of age;

(2) Provide evidence of—

(i) Twelve months of seagoing service, that includes training and experience associated with engine room watchkeeping functions and involves the performance of duties carried out under the supervision of an engineer officer, Electro-technical Officer, or a qualified STCW engine rating;

(ii) Proof of successful completion of a Coast Guard-approved or -accepted program, which includes not less than 6 months of approved seagoing service; or

(iii) Qualifications meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 12.103 of this part) and approved seagoing service of not less than 3 months;

(3) Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-III/7 of the STCW Code; and

(4) Provide evidence of completion of an approved course in—

(i) Computer systems and maintenance; and

(ii) High-voltage power systems.

(b) An applicant who holds an STCW endorsement as Able Seafarer-Engine and a national rating endorsement as Electrician, Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer, or Junior Engineer will be issued the ETR endorsement upon completion of the requirements in Section A-III/7 of the STCW Code and evidence of completion of the training required in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.

(c) Seafarers with the following national rating endorsement will be eligible for this endorsement upon completion of the requirements designated in this section:

Table 1 to § 12.611(c)—STCW Endorsement as Electro-technical Rating Entry path from national endorsements Sea service under authority of the endorsement 1 Competence—STCW Table A-III/7 2 Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer None Y Junior Engineer None Y 1 This column provides the minimum additional service required of the seafarer in order to meet the requirements of this section. 2 Complete any items in paragraph (a)(3) of this section not previously satisfied.

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 October 1, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.