NVIC 01-26: Coast Guard approved training guidelines

Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE United States Coast Guard Stop 7509 Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (206) 815-6890 Fax: (202) 372-4908 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTPUB 16721 NVIC 01-26 June 2, 2026 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 01-26 Subj: GUIDELINES FOR COAST GUARD APPROVED TRAINING Ref: (a) 46 CFR Part 10 Subpart D (b) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), incorporated into regulations at 46 CFR 11.102

Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training — PURPOSE. This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) provides guidance

concerning Coast Guard approval of courses and programs for the training of merchant mariners.

Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training — ACTION. The Coast Guard will use this NVIC and 46 CFR Part 10, Subpart D when

evaluating requests for approval of training courses and programs.

Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. This NVIC cancels NVIC 03-14, Guidelines for Approval of

Training Courses and Programs.

Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training — BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION.

a. The Coast Guard is publishing this policy in alignment with Administration priorities to ease burden on industry. This NVIC will reduce burden on training providers by reducing the number and type of documents that need to be submitted when requesting approval of training, and by reducing the number and type of records that must be maintained after the course or program has been approved. b. This NVIC provides guidance for the approval of courses and programs. Enclosure (1) provides general information and guidance on submission of requests for approval of courses and programs. c. Enclosure (2) provides guidance on course and program curricula, including the general standards for the content and duration of courses and programs the Coast Guard will use This and other Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars are available at https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/NVIC/ and by using this QR Code. NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR 01-26 to approve courses and programs. This table is not an inclusive listing of the training the Coast Guard will approve, nor is it absolutely prescriptive. d. Enclosure (3) provides guidance on instructors, including the general standards the Coast Guard will use to evaluate and approve proposed instructors. Due to the unique nature of the maritime industry and the varied experience obtained by mariners this table is neither all-inclusive nor absolutely prescriptive. e. Enclosure (4) provides guidance on the use of simulators. The Coast Guard encourages the appropriate use of simulators to ensure the quality and consistency of training and assessment, and for training that cannot be reasonably and/or safely performed aboard ship. f. Enclosure (5) provides guidance on training offered by distance or e-learning. g. Enclosure (6) provides guidance on acceptable delivery methods for certain types of Coast Guard approved courses (e.g. in person, on-line, or blended).

Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training — DISCLAIMER. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is in

itself a regulation. It is not intended to nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party. This guidance represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general public, and the Coast Guard, as well as other federal and state regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements. Alternative approaches for complying with these requirements may be acceptable if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training — ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS

a. The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current USCG CE # 33 from further environmental analysis, in accordance with Section 2.B.2. and Figure 2-1 of the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental Impacts, COMDTINST M16475.1 (series). Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #33 is appropriate. b. This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment. All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates.