PLEASE NOTE: As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains in a partial shutdown, the U.S. Coast Guard NMC continues to issue updates to mitigation efforts for Merchant Mariner Credentials and Medical Certificates. The details of these mitigation efforts and document validity extensions for National Endorsements (and Pilot for Medical Certificates), as well as requirements for extending International Endorsements and Medical Certificates, can be found in the latest bulletin issued March 19, 2026.
It is very important to keep in mind that, although you may qualify for an extension under the terms provided in the USCG’s latest bulletin, the decision to allow you to continue to sail and/or join a vessel on your “expired” certificate or credential is ultimately up to the company by which you are currently employed.
If the vessel you are assigned to gets underway or is expected to get underway in any capacity, whether coastwise or international, you MUST obtain an STCW dispensation letter, which can only be requested by the company by which you are currently employed.
The complete bulletin issued by the Coast Guard, including the required letter referenced below, can be downloaded from the AMO website.
Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown UPDATE #2: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions
This update supersedes the information in Update #1 dated February 20, 2026.
Due to the government shutdown, the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Examination Centers (RECs) remain closed. Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled. To mitigate the impact caused by the government shutdown, the NMC has implemented the following measures:
- The Application Submission Portal (ASAP) for submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active. Processing will resume once appropriations are restored.
- Merchant Mariner Credentials (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates (National and Pilot expiration dates only) that expire between January 1 and April 30, 2026, remain valid until June 30, 2026. Mariners who are actively working on expired credentials that meet the expiration criteria must carry the expired credential AND a copy of the attached letter while sailing under the authority of those credentials. The NMC will not issue separate or replacement MMCs or Medical Certificates reflecting the extension.
International Convention Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, for MMCs and Medical Certificates:
- MMCs: Pursuant to Article VIII, dispensations may be granted for continued service for mariners operating on endorsements that expired on or after January 1, 2026, provided a renewal application was submitted to the NMC and the employer applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation. STCW dispensations that are approved will expire up to August 31, 2026. Once the STCW dispensation letter is issued, mariners shall carry the letter AND a copy of this bulletin with the MMC. Requests for dispensation must be submitted with a subject line “STCW Dispensation” and must include the following information: ship name, IMO number, ship tonnage, mariner name, mariner reference number, capacity per STCW regulations, credential issuance and expiration dates, company name, company point of contact, and valid mariner e-mail address.
- Medical Certificates: In accordance with STCW Regulation I/9, when the STCW expiration date of a Medical Certificate occurs during a voyage, the certificate remains valid for 3 months from the expiration date.
- Additional information letters, approval to test letters, mariner training course completion certificates, and drug test letters that expire between February and April 2026, are extended until June 30, 2026. The NMC will not issue updated letters reflecting the extension.
- Qualified assessor and designated examiner certification letters and course approvals that expire between February and April 2026, are extended until June 30, 2026. The NMC will not issue updated certificates/letters reflecting the extension.
Mariner examinations:
- Mariners who began but did not complete all modules of an examination prior to February 13, 2026, may resume testing without penalty once the NMC reopens. Testing should be completed within 60 days of reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
- 90-day retest periods are paused beginning on February 13, 2026, and will restart upon reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
- For questions regarding credentialing issues related to National Defense, marine employers are advised to contact our Customer Service Center.
For updates on NMC and REC operating status, please monitor the NMC website. For questions, contact our Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system on the NMC website, , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
The NMC understands the shutdown will affect our industry, customers and stakeholders, and we apologize for any potential inconvenience.
Sincerely,
Patrick A. Drayer
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Officer in Charge, Marine Inspections