New USCG APPLICATION PACKAGE

November 11, 2009

Beginning January 1, 2010 there are new more in depth physical requirements. The memos related to these changes are on the NMC home page We have included the new forms in our application package. Please take the time to go to the NMC home page and download the instructions as the Doctor will be required to do additional work.

As of April 15, 2009 there are a number of major changes to the merchant mariner licensing process. A detailed explanation can be found at http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/default.asp

Here are the important points: 

First, you must have either received a Transportation Worker Identification Credential or have completed the application process by appearing at one of the 147 TWIC offices. You need to pre-enroll before you go to one of the offices.

MAKE SURE YOU INDICATE MERCHANT MARINER as OCCUPATION or you may not get a license or there will be a major delay!!

Here is a link to their website-

http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm

Without the application process being started, the REC will not accept your application. Once the application is accepted, a license will not be issued unless you have received your TWIC.

This is a very important first step to get your license.

Second, the types of materials you need to send for your license has been reduced. You need to send in:

1. Copy of TWIC or TWIC application receipt.

2. Application CG Form 719B.

3. Fee, ideally through Pay.gov, $145.00.

4. Drug report CG Form 719P or accepted alternative. Instructions for 5-part form are included.

5. Physical report CG Form 719K.

6. Three character reference letters, dated, signed, address of writer (must be originals).

7. Sea Service forms (sample of completed form).

8. Completed oath form (Notary).

9. Course certificate issued by a NMC approved school.

Third, this application package is sent to a regional exam center. The addresses are on the NMC website.

No more finger printing at REC or alternative site.

We have included a copy of the items listed above in the application download.

For application help you can call the NMC at NMC Call Center: 1-888-IASKNMC (1-888-427-5662) or http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/contact_iasknmc.asp or use this online form.

Helpful hints

The USCG License process can be a little intimidating and time consuming. It is the same for any of the OUPV licenses. Here are some hints to help you complete your USCG license application in a timely manner.

Note: USCG is changing how mariners apply for their licenses. The role of the Regional Exam Center (REC) is to accept a completed application including the course certificate, to do a completeness review, and to forward it to the NMC facility in West Virginia for final review. For more information go to National Maritime Center.

Four items you must address before completing the application:

1. Which license do you really need?A OUPV with near coastal endorsement will let you go anywhere in the USA out to 100 miles off the coast. A limited or restricted license will limit you to a specific section of water such as a river system or a lake.
3. Do you have the needed Sea Service time? You must have a minimum of 360 days since age 15. Only 90 days is required for a limited license. If you want a Great Lakes or Near Coastal endorsement you must have 90 days on those waters. As part of your sea service time, you must have 90 days on the water in the last three years. A near coastal endorsement will let you work the Great Lakes.
5. When do you need the license? The key is planning ahead.There are no short cuts any more. With the new licensing systems. No partial application will be accepted.
   
   It takes from 8 to 12 weeks for the NMC to process an application if it is complete and there are no medical issues.
   
   It will take you a least two to four weeks to get all the materials together. Start by downloading the application packet and begin gathering your info before the class. Once the clas is done, attach the certificate and UPS or FEDEX it to the local REC. A list of address are provided by link on the right side of this page. I would not mail them as there are serious issues withteh US Mail.
   
7. How do you want to take the exams - school or REC? You do not have to attend a "Captain's" school to get your license. You simply apply by submitting a complete application, once approved make an appointment and take the five exams. Rules of the Road is the first exam and it is a closed book requiring 90% correct. The other four require a 70% correct for passage.
   
   The alternative is to take a USCG approved course through a school. They will teach you the materials and provide the exams at the end of the course. Not all schools are equal. Some teach the questions and little more. Great for passing but of little help when out on the water with clients. It is best to research the school to make sure you are getting what you want.
   
   Prices also vary greatly. In Florida an OUPV course could go for as little as $495 while in the northeast it may cost over $1,200. It is what the market is willing to pay.
   
   The exams vary between the REC and the schools. The REC picks from over 6,000 questions. Schools write their own questions and have them approved by the USCG. Some schools will tell you these are USCG questions. True if they simply took the USCG questions instead of writing their own. Also there is no such thing as an exam fee. The schools pay nothing to the USCG for the approval or any materials such as questions.
9. Completing the USCG License Application

First, you need a copy of the application and instructions. They can be downloaded from the National Maritime Center site. Specific forms and instructions are listed in the column to the right. Or, download our licensing packet trimmed of excess forms

1. Completed application
2. If any yes's in violations section, provide explanations
3. Oath(by notary)
4. First Aid and CPR with in one year
5. Three character references
6. Physical exam with hearing and eye test
7. SAMSHA Drug test or enrollment in drug testing program. Testing sites
8. Certificate of Completion (within one year)
9. Sea Service forms (total at least 360 days)

Let's look at each item in more detail.

1) Completed application. There are six sections of the form which must be completed, signed and dated.

a. Sec I Personal Data - standardize things. Make sure you keep consistent with your name. If it is Robert on all your documents, do not use Bob on the application. Same with a middle initial. Stay consistent.

b. Sec II Type of Transaction - Assuming this is your first license, you would check license and original. If you are adding any endorsements such as Great Lakes, Assistance Towing, Near Coastal.

Next you need to fill out the "Applying for:" Here you need to write "Operator of uninspected passenger vessel (restricted scope for Western Rivers or limited scope if these apply) for ("Inland, Great Lakes, or Near Coastal" pick the highest one based on sea service) ("and assistance towing endorsement" again if applicable)

Finally in the "State Current...." box describe any current or previous USCG licenses you may have or let expire.

c. Sec III Narcotics, DWI/DUI, and Conviction Record - you need to answer yes or no to each one. Be honest as the information will be verified through various background checks. If there is a "yes" you will need to provide an explanation. See the explanation section below

d. Sec VI Character References- for a license where no commercial experience is required such as operator of uninspected passenger vessels, you need to provide written recommendations of three persons who have knowledge of your suitability for "duty". Make sure you check the box and attach the three reference letters.

e. Sec V Mariner's Consent - you will be asked to consent to a National Drivers Registry check. If you do not consent, you simply do not get a license. Not much more can be said.

f. Sec VI Certification and OathAt the top of the third page is a statement. Under it is a signature block stating that you agree with the above statement. Without this signature, it will be returned. You need to take the oath at the REC or an authorized MSO office. This is a recent law change. You can take the oath at an alternative site only after you get a letter from the REC stating your application is received. They will ask to see your drivers license and your birth certificate.

2) Yes, on application explanations. First you must be honest in answering these questions. Record checks will indicate if you lied or "forgot" something like getting busted for dope when you were in school back in the sixties. Second if you do answer yes please provide an explanation. Here is a link to a portion of the rules that explains what is considered by the OCMI in determining if a license can be issued.

SAMSHA Drug test or enrollment in drug testing program. My suggestion, to avoid all kind of problems, is join a national drug consortium like National Association of Charterboat Operators. Call Susan at 251.981.5136.

First the test must be done by a SAMSHA approved lab. To find one check out the links in the right column. You will need the original completed form. Some times the lab will give you a copy. No good. You must have the original form with the various signatures and hopefully a negative result. Drug test instructions; USCG Drug Information Help Page

Certificate of Completion (within one year). We will issue you a certificate at the end of the class provided you pass the exam(s). This signed document is good for one year from the date of issuance. If you do not use it, within the year, you need to take the class over again. We cannot re-issue it.

Sea Service forms - You can write a book on completing this form. First, you need to know just how much time you need on the water for your license. For an OUPV it is 360 days since age 15. For a limited OUPV it is a minimum of 90 days of the geographic specific waters.

You complete a form(s) for each boat. You can use more than one form per boat if you have more than 5 years to record. If you own the boat, you need to show proof of ownership. If you sold it and did not keep any papers on the boat, you may need to go to the agency who registers boats and request a printout of your registration information. If you worked on someone elses boat, they simply need to sign the form certifying you did complete the days claimed.

The confusing part of the form relates to Sec I - Name of Bodies of water..." If you are applying for inland waters, simply indicate the bodies of water you were on with that boat.

If you are after a limited scope license you must show at least 90 days in total on each body of water you are requesting on the application. The total of 90 days may be reached with a number of different boats. The key is the total on all forms must equal 90 days if you are to get that lake/river on your license. My suggestion is to list the body of water in Sec I then add the number of days claimed on that form in brackets i.e. Lake Winnebago (73 days).

Finally, in Sec II you need to total the days claimed on that form in the boxes at the bottom of that section. In particular, if you are going for a Great Lakes endorsement, make sure you claim the days underway on the Great Lakes in the top box. For a Near Coastal Endorsement you need to claim the days in the third box "... seaward of the boundary line..." Make sure your numbers on the form are correctly added or you may not get the needed days.

Finally, you must have documentation that you owned the vessel. Without this, the days will not be counted. There is no exception.

When your application package is complete, make sure you make a copy of EVERYTHING!!. The next step is to send it by UPS, registered mail, Fedex, etc. so there is the ability to track the package.

 

Best of Luck

Capt Gary

Information Links

- Download our License Application Package with forms and tips

- Application, sea service, or what about type questions, NMC a good starting point by phone and email.

- NMC Contact Information:
Main Inquiry Line: 1-888-I-ASK-NMC (1-888-427-5662)
Information, Comments, & Inquiries: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

- National Maritime Center Website

- Regional Exam Center - Addresses

- Check on your application status: homeport.uscg.mil, then click on merchant mariner

- USCG License Information

NMC Application Site

- Note:New change at REC's effective immediately. If your application is incomplete when sent to the REC, you will get a 60 day letter. You need to submit the requested items within the 60 day or your application will be returned. Best to send in only complete applications.

- Drug testing information including list of lab's, forms, definitions - http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/drugtest.htm

- USCG Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program

- Need a Random Drug Testing Card? Go to the National Association of Charter Boat Operators Website

- TWIC All mariners must have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential by April15, 2009. Pre enrollment is online. Center listing and more information is available at TSA - TWIC.

Note: CHANTIX MEDICAL ADVISORY FOR MERCHANT MARINERS PDF FIle