46 CFR 12.625: STCW endorsement for vessel personnel with security duties

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lists what an applicant must do to get an STCW endorsement as Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties. The applicant must show evidence of meeting 33 CFR 104.220, meet physical exam requirements, and meet safety and suitability requirements. It also lists alternate ways to apply until March 24, 2014.

Applies toApplicants for an STCW endorsement as Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties.

What it says

  1. The applicant must provide satisfactory documentary evidence of meeting the requirements in 33 CFR 104.220, such as a company official's signed certificate or letter, or a certificate of completion from a Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved course.

    46 CFR 12.625(a)(1)“Provide satisfactory documentary evidence, such as a certificate or letter signed by a company official, or a certificate of completion from a Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved course, of meeting the requirements in 33 CFR 104.220;”

  2. The applicant must meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR Part 10, subpart C.

    46 CFR 12.625(a)(2)“Meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR Part 10, subpart C; and”

  3. The applicant must meet the safety and suitability requirements and the National Driver Registry review requirements in § 10.209(e) of this subchapter, unless the applicant met them within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.

    46 CFR 12.625(a)(3)“Meet the safety and suitability requirements and the National Driver Registry review requirements in § 10.209(e) of this subchapter, unless the applicant has met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.”

  4. Until March 24, 2014, seafarers could apply by having completed approved seagoing service with designated security duties for at least 6 months in total during the preceding 3 years.

    46 CFR 12.625(b)(1)“Having completed approved seagoing service with designated security duties, for a period of at least 6 months in total during the preceding 3 years;”

  5. Until March 24, 2014, seafarers could also apply by successfully completing Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved training.

    46 CFR 12.625(b)(3)“Successfully completing Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved training.”

Common questions

What evidence do I need for a Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties endorsement?

You must provide satisfactory documentary evidence of meeting 33 CFR 104.220. This can be a certificate or letter signed by a company official, or a certificate of completion from a Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved course.

“Provide satisfactory documentary evidence, such as a certificate or letter signed by a company official, or a certificate of completion from a Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved course, of meeting the requirements in 33 CFR 104.220;”

Do I need a physical exam for this STCW endorsement?

Yes. The applicant must meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR Part 10, subpart C.

“Meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR Part 10, subpart C; and”

Can I skip the safety and suitability review if I already met it?

Yes, if you met the safety and suitability and National Driver Registry requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.

“unless the applicant has met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.”

The text of 46 CFR 12.625

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

Requirements to qualify for an STCW endorsement as Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties

(a) An applicant for an STCW endorsement as Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties must—

(1) Provide satisfactory documentary evidence, such as a certificate or letter signed by a company official, or a certificate of completion from a Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved course, of meeting the requirements in 33 CFR 104.220;

(2) Meet the physical examination requirements in 46 CFR Part 10, subpart C; and

(3) Meet the safety and suitability requirements and the National Driver Registry review requirements in § 10.209(e) of this subchapter, unless the applicant has met these requirements within the previous 5 years in connection with another endorsement.

(b) Until March 24, 2014, seafarers will be able to apply for an endorsement as Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties by—

(1) Having completed approved seagoing service with designated security duties, for a period of at least 6 months in total during the preceding 3 years;

(2) Having performed security functions considered to be equivalent to the seagoing service required in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; or

(3) Successfully completing Coast Guard-accepted or Coast Guard-approved training.

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.