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Licensed Occupation
Licensed Occupation      (United%20States)

License Description:
Requirements for an Able Seaman license include a medical certificate of excellent health, and a certificate attesting to vision, color perception, and general physical condition. While no experience or formal schooling is required, training at a union-operated school is the best source. With experience at sea, and perhaps union-sponsored training, an ordinary seaman with a Merchant Marine Document (MMD) can pass the Able Seaman exam and move up with 3 years of service. Please see the U.S. Coast Guard web site at: http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm, the Veteran's Employment and Training Service (VETS) web site at http://umet-vets.dol.gov/ableseaman.htm, and the Federal Code of Regulations (46 CFR12.02-11) at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/46cfr12_02.html

License Agency:
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington DC 20593-0001
202-267-0218
https://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

License Description:
A person with a Merchant Marine Document (MMD) with one year of experience at sea in the deck department, two years experience in any other department on vessels greater than 100 gross tons, or who has completed a USCG approved course and 3 months of sea experience may take written and practical exams to be endorsed with the qualified rating of Lifeboatman (LB). An MMD with a qualified rating is valid for 5 years and may be renewed through documented recent experience, pass an exam, or complete a training course. Further information can be found at the United States Coast Guard web site http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm and the Federal Code of Regulations (46CFR12.10-7) at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/46cfr12_02.html.

License Agency:
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington DC 20593-0001
202-267-0218
https://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

License Description:
The United States Coast Guard issues a Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) to unlicensed personnel who support the operation of a vessel. Unqualified ratings are issued to entry level individuals who typically have little or no sea service for the following rating types: ordinary seaman (deck department), wiper (engineering department), or food handler (steward's department). Qualified ratings are issued based on previous sea service in a particular department or specialized training. Qualified ratings for members in the deck department are issued by rating type (e.g. Able Seaman) and vessel type restrictions (e.g. sail vessels or offshore supply vessels). Qualified ratings for members in the engineering department are issued by type (e.g. Qualified Member of the Engine Department) and specific rating (e.g. oiler, fireman/watertender, junior engineer, deck engine mechanic, or engineman). Other ratings are issued for specialized training or experience, such as Lifeboatman, Tankerman, or GMDSS At-Sea Maintainer. An MMD is valid for 5 years and may be renewed. Further information can be found at the USCG web site http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm and the Federal Code of Regulations (46 CFR12.02-11) at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/46cfr12_02.html.

License Agency:
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington DC 20593-0001
202-267-0218
https://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

License Description:
An Ordinary Seaman is a person holding a Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) issued by the United States Coast Guard without qualified ratings. This is an entry level MMD and does not require maritime experience or a physical examination, but will require proof that the applicant has passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs. While no training is required, a union-operated school can provide useful background knowledge. An MMD is valid for 5 years and may be renewed. Further information can be found at the USCG web site http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm and the Federal Code of Regulations (46 CFR12.02-11) at website http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/46cfr12_02.html.

License Agency:
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington DC 20593-0001
202-267-0218
https://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

License Description:
Qualified Member of the Engine Department - QMED
A person with a Merchant Mariner's Document (MMD) having at least 6 months of underway service working as a wiper or coal passer in the engineering department may take a written exam and at least one rating exam (Fireman/Watertender, Oiler, Deck Engineer, Junior Engineer, Refrigeration Engineer, Electrician, Machinist, or Pumpman) to be endorsed as a Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED). Additional experience is required for some endorsements. Renewal of certification requires meeting all the requirements to renew the MMD and either have recent qualifying experience or training. Further information can be found at the United States Coast Guard web site
http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm and the Federal Code of Regulations (46 CFR12.15-11) at website http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/46cfr12_02.html.

License Agency:
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
2100 2nd St., SW
Washington DC 20593-0001
202-267-0218
https://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

Source: CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).
Note: Information on licensed occupations is gathered in each state by Labor Market Information units under a grant from USDOL. States are required to submit updated license information once every two years.