46 CFR 13.201: Original Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement application

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lists what each applicant for an original Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement must meet. The applicant must be at least 18 years old, apply on a Coast Guard form, provide evidence of exam, service and course completion, and have the required English ability.

Applies toEach applicant for an original Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement.

What it says

  1. An applicant must be at least 18 years old.

    46 CFR 13.201(a)“Be at least 18 years old;”

  2. An applicant must apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard.

    46 CFR 13.201(b)“Apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard;”

  3. An applicant must provide evidence of passing a physical and medical examination in accordance with § 13.125.

    46 CFR 13.201(c)(1)“Passing a physical and medical examination in accordance with § 13.125;”

  4. An applicant must provide evidence of service on tankships in accordance with § 13.203.

    46 CFR 13.201(c)(2)“Service on tankships in accordance with § 13.203;”

  5. An applicant must provide evidence of completing an approved firefighting course covering the subjects in table 3 to § 13.121(e) within 5 years of the application date, unless the applicant previously submitted such a certificate for a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC.

    46 CFR 13.201(c)(3)“completed within 5 years of the date of application for the endorsement, unless they have previously submitted such a certificate for tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC; and”

  6. An applicant must provide evidence of completing an approved Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases course, appropriate to the endorsement applied for, within the previous 5 years.

    46 CFR 13.201(c)(4)“Completion of an approved course for Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases appropriate to the endorsement applied for within the previous 5 years.”

  7. A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a later renewal of the same endorsement.

    46 CFR 13.201(c)(4)“A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement; and”

  8. An applicant must be able to speak and understand in English all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a cargo transfer.

    46 CFR 13.201(d)“Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo,”

Common questions

How old must I be to apply for an original Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement?

An applicant must be at least 18 years old.

“Be at least 18 years old;”

How recent must my Tank Vessel-PIC course be?

The approved Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases course must be completed within the previous 5 years, and must be appropriate to the endorsement applied for.

“Completion of an approved course for Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases appropriate to the endorsement applied for within the previous 5 years.”

Can I reuse a course certificate for a later renewal of my endorsement?

No. A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement.

“A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement; and”

What English ability does a Tank Vessel-PIC applicant need?

The applicant must be able to speak and understand English instructions for a cargo transfer. The applicant must also be able to read and understand the English in the Declaration of Inspection, vessel response plans, and Material Safety Data Sheet.

“be capable of reading and understanding the English language found in the Declaration of Inspection, vessel response plans, and Material Safety Data Sheet.”

The text of 46 CFR 13.201

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

Original application for Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement

Each applicant for an original Tank Vessel-PIC endorsement must—

(a) Be at least 18 years old;

(b) Apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard;

(c) Provide evidence of—

(1) Passing a physical and medical examination in accordance with § 13.125;

(2) Service on tankships in accordance with § 13.203;

(3) Completion of an approved firefighting course that provides training in the subjects listed in table 3 to § 13.121(e) completed within 5 years of the date of application for the endorsement, unless they have previously submitted such a certificate for tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC; and

(4) Completion of an approved course for Tankship: Dangerous Liquids or Tankship: Liquefied Gases appropriate to the endorsement applied for within the previous 5 years. A course certificate used for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement cannot be used for a subsequent renewal of the same endorsement; and

(d) Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo, and be capable of reading and understanding the English language found in the Declaration of Inspection, vessel response plans, and Material Safety Data Sheet.

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.