46 CFR 12.621: STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section explains how an applicant qualifies for an STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care. An applicant must show completion of an approved course and meet the standard of competence in the STCW Code. An applicant holding certain listed credentials is also qualified.

Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care.

What it says

  1. An applicant must provide evidence of successfully completing an approved course that leads to an endorsement for seafarers designated to take charge of medical care onboard a ship.

    46 CFR 12.621(a)(1)“Provide evidence of successful completion of an approved course that leads to an endorsement for seafarers designated to take charge of medical care onboard a ship”

  2. An applicant must also provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence in Table A-VI/4-2 of the STCW Code, which is incorporated by reference as described in 46 CFR 12.103.

    46 CFR 12.621(a)(2)“Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-VI/4-2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 12.103 of this part).”

  3. An applicant holding a valid professional license listed in § 11.807(a)(5) or (a)(6) of this subchapter is qualified for the endorsement, if the issuing State has placed no restriction or limitation on the license.

    46 CFR 12.621(b)(1)“A valid professional license listed in § 11.807(a)(5) or (a)(6) of this subchapter, without restriction or limitation placed upon it by the issuing State.”

  4. An applicant holding a rating listed in § 11.807(a)(7) or (a)(8) of this subchapter is qualified for the endorsement.

    46 CFR 12.621(b)(2)“A rating listed in § 11.807(a)(7) or (a)(8) of this subchapter.”

Common questions

What do I need to get an STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care?

An applicant must provide evidence of completing an approved course and evidence of meeting the standard of competence in Table A-VI/4-2 of the STCW Code.

“To qualify for an STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care, an applicant must—”

Can a license holder qualify for the Person in Charge of Medical Care endorsement without the course?

An applicant holding a valid professional license listed in § 11.807(a)(5) or (a)(6) of this subchapter is qualified, provided the issuing State placed no restriction or limitation on it.

“A valid professional license listed in § 11.807(a)(5) or (a)(6) of this subchapter, without restriction or limitation placed upon it by the issuing State.”

Does a rating qualify me for the Person in Charge of Medical Care endorsement?

Yes, if it is a rating listed in § 11.807(a)(7) or (a)(8) of this subchapter.

“A rating listed in § 11.807(a)(7) or (a)(8) of this subchapter.”

The text of 46 CFR 12.621

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

Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care

(a) To qualify for an STCW endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care, an applicant must—

(1) Provide evidence of successful completion of an approved course that leads to an endorsement for seafarers designated to take charge of medical care onboard a ship; and

(2) Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Table A-VI/4-2 of the STCW Code (incorporated by reference, see § 12.103 of this part).

(b) An applicant holding any of the following credentials is qualified for an endorsement as Person in Charge of Medical Care:

(1) A valid professional license listed in § 11.807(a)(5) or (a)(6) of this subchapter, without restriction or limitation placed upon it by the issuing State.

(2) A rating listed in § 11.807(a)(7) or (a)(8) of this subchapter.

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.