46 CFR 12.703: General requirements for entry-level ratings

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section covers entry-level rating endorsements on merchant mariner credentials. Endorsements in capacities other than the listed higher ratings are issued without professional examination. It also says which unqualified ratings holders of Ordinary Seafarer, Wiper and Steward's Department (F.H.) endorsements may serve in.

Applies toApplicants for rating endorsements in entry-level capacities, and holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Ordinary Seafarer, Wiper, or Steward's Department (F.H.).

What it says

  1. The Coast Guard issues rating endorsements without professional examination to applicants in capacities other than Able Seafarer, Lifeboat Operator, Lifeboat Operator-Limited, tank vessel endorsement, or QMED.

    46 CFR 12.703(a)“Rating endorsements will be issued without professional examination to applicants in capacities other than Able Seafarer, Lifeboat Operator, Lifeboat Operator-Limited, tank vessel endorsement, or QMED”

  2. The endorsements issued without examination include Ordinary Seafarer, Wiper, Steward's Department, and Steward's Department (F.H.).

    46 CFR 12.703(a)“Ordinary Seafarer; (2) Wiper; (3) Steward's Department; and (4) Steward's Department (F.H.).”

  3. Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Ordinary Seafarer may serve in any unqualified rating in the deck or steward's department, except as a Food Handler (F.H.).

    46 CFR 12.703(b)“Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Ordinary Seafarer may serve in any unqualified rating in the deck or steward's department, except as a Food Handler (F.H.).”

  4. Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Wiper may serve in any unqualified rating in the engine or steward's department, except as a Food Handler.

    46 CFR 12.703(c)“Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Wiper may serve in any unqualified rating in the engine or steward's department, except as a Food Handler.”

  5. Only MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Steward's Department (F.H.) authorize the holder to serve in any capacity in the steward's department, including Food Handler.

    46 CFR 12.703(d)“Only MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Steward's Department (F.H.) will authorize the holder's service in any capacity in the steward's department, including Food Handler.”

Common questions

Do entry-level rating endorsements require a professional examination?

No, rating endorsements in capacities such as Ordinary Seafarer, Wiper, and Steward's Department are issued without professional examination. Able Seafarer, Lifeboat Operator, Lifeboat Operator-Limited, tank vessel endorsement, and QMED are excluded from this provision.

“Rating endorsements will be issued without professional examination to applicants in capacities other than Able Seafarer, Lifeboat Operator, Lifeboat Operator-Limited, tank vessel endorsement, or QMED”

Can an Ordinary Seafarer work as a Food Handler?

No. An Ordinary Seafarer may serve in any unqualified rating in the deck or steward's department, except as a Food Handler (F.H.).

“Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Ordinary Seafarer may serve in any unqualified rating in the deck or steward's department, except as a Food Handler (F.H.).”

Which endorsement lets a mariner serve as a Food Handler?

Only an MMC or MMD endorsed as Steward's Department (F.H.) authorizes service in any capacity in the steward's department, including Food Handler.

“Only MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Steward's Department (F.H.) will authorize the holder's service in any capacity in the steward's department, including Food Handler.”

What ratings can a Wiper serve in?

A holder of an MMC or MMD endorsed as Wiper may serve in any unqualified rating in the engine or steward's department, except as a Food Handler.

“Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Wiper may serve in any unqualified rating in the engine or steward's department, except as a Food Handler.”

The text of 46 CFR 12.703

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

General requirements for entry-level ratings

(a) Rating endorsements will be issued without professional examination to applicants in capacities other than Able Seafarer, Lifeboat Operator, Lifeboat Operator-Limited, tank vessel endorsement, or QMED, including—

(1) Ordinary Seafarer;

(2) Wiper;

(3) Steward's Department; and

(4) Steward's Department (F.H.).

(b) Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Ordinary Seafarer may serve in any unqualified rating in the deck or steward's department, except as a Food Handler (F.H.).

(c) Holders of MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Wiper may serve in any unqualified rating in the engine or steward's department, except as a Food Handler.

(d) Only MMCs or MMDs endorsed as Steward's Department (F.H.) will authorize the holder's service in any capacity in the steward's department, including Food Handler.

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.