The following press release was issued by the National Maritime Center on October 15. American Maritime Officers members and applicants who have emergency credentialing issues should contact AMO Vice President for Government Relations Christian Spain or AMO Assistant Vice President for Government Relations Alaina Basciano.
Lapse in Appropriations and Government Shutdown UPDATE #2: Mitigation Efforts – Extensions
This update supersedes the information in Update #1 dated October 9, 2025.
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:
* E-mail 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 in October 2025 remain valid until December 31, 2025. 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.
* Additional information letters, approval to test letters, and mariner training course completion certificates that expire in October 2025 are extended until December 31, 2025. The NMC will not issue updated letters reflecting the extension.
* Qualified Assessor and Designated Examiner certification letters and course approvals that expire October 31, 2025, are extended until February 28, 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 October 1, 2025, 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 October 1, 2025, 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, by , 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
Dear U.S. Mariner,
Due to the federal government’s lapse in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard is currently unable to process applications for mariner credentials. To provide relief to affected mariners, consistent with the authority of 46 United States Code 7507 and 7508, the Coast Guard is granting an extension, effective immediately, to Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates (National and Pilot expiration dates only). This extension is valid through December 31, 2025, for mariners whose credentials expire in October 2025.
All mariners sailing under the authority of their National Endorsement(s) should print and retain a copy of this letter with their MMC and Medical Certificate to present upon request by the U.S. Coast Guard, other agencies or officials. The National Maritime Center (NMC) does not intend to issue separate or replacement MMCs or Medical Certificates reflecting this extension. Additionally, this extension applies only to domestic operations and does not apply to Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) endorsements.
Applications submitted before or during the government shutdown will be held and processed once the NMC reopens and is legally authorized to resume operations.
If you have questions, visit the NMC website or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).