46 CFR 13.501: Requirements for Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement applicants

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section sets the requirements for each applicant for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement. An applicant must be at least 18 years old, apply on a Coast Guard form, and provide evidence of a medical exam, service and approved courses. The applicant must also be able to speak and understand English for cargo or fuel transfers.

Applies toEach applicant for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement.

What it says

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

    46 CFR 13.501(a)“Be at least 18 years old;”

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

    46 CFR 13.501(b)“Apply on a form provided by the Coast Guard;”

  3. An applicant must provide evidence of passing a physical and medical examination according to § 13.125.

    46 CFR 13.501(c)(1)“Passing a physical and medical examination according to § 13.125;”

  4. An applicant must provide evidence of service on tankships and self-propelled tank vessels in accordance with § 13.503.

    46 CFR 13.501(c)(2)“Service on tankships and self-propelled tank vessels in accordance with § 13.503;”

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

    46 CFR 13.501(c)(3)“completed within 5 years of the date of application for the endorsement, unless they have previously submitted such a certificate for a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC; and”

  6. An applicant must provide evidence of completing an approved Tankship course in dangerous liquids or liquefied gases, appropriate for the endorsement, within the previous 5 years.

    46 CFR 13.501(c)(4)“Completion of an approved Tankship course in dangerous liquids or liquefied gases, appropriate for 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 subsequent renewal of the same endorsement.

    46 CFR 13.501(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 transfer of cargo or fuel.

    46 CFR 13.501(d)“Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo or fuel.”

Common questions

How old must I be to apply for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement?

An applicant must be at least 18 years old.

“Be at least 18 years old;”

Do I need to speak English for a Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement?

Yes. The applicant must be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo or fuel.

“Be capable of speaking and understanding, in English, all instructions needed to commence, conduct, and complete a transfer of cargo or fuel.”

Can I reuse a Tankship course certificate for a later renewal?

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”

The text of 46 CFR 13.501

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

Original application for Tank Vessel-Engineer endorsement

Each applicant for a Tank Vessel-Engineer 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 according to § 13.125;

(2) Service on tankships and self-propelled tank vessels in accordance with § 13.503;

(3) Completion of an approved firefighting course providing training in the subjects identified 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 a tank vessel endorsement or officer endorsement on an MMC; and

(4) Completion of an approved Tankship course in dangerous liquids or liquefied gases, appropriate for 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 or fuel.

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.