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Application process

In line with MIN 655, if you are applying for your first UK Certificate of Competency (CoC), you must post your application and original documents (except passport which must be an attested copy) at both NOE and CoC stages to:

For all other applications, please email your application and scanned documents to deck@mcga.gov.uk

Please ensure your documents are included as attachments or within a .zip folder. Unfortunately, we cannot open .rar extensions or links to file-sharing services (e.g. OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox etc).

Fast track requests

It is unlikely we will consider expediting a NOE (including Resit) or Rating application within our service standard of 28 days, or within 14 days for all other applications.

If you have been waiting longer than this and need us to assess your application on an urgent basis, please ask your company to email deck@mcga.gov.uk directly with your full name, date of birth and a compelling reason (including the vessel joining date).

For NOE applications, your company must also confirm to us that you meet all of the licence requirements i.e. the only barrier to gaining the licence is you need to sit the MCA oral exam.

For NOE resits, it is unlikely we will be able to consider a fast-track request if youve already had 3 attempts or more.

Booking your MCA oral exam

Information about how to book your oral exam will be emailed to you when you have met the requirements for an NOE.

Oral exam syllabuses

It is recommended that you review the relevant oral exam syllabus before sitting your MCA oral exam.

CoC requirements

If you pass your MCA oral exam, please see our guidance on the requirements for a deck CoC application.

NOE resits

If you fail your MCA oral exam and wish to resit it, please email the NOE Fail to deck@mcga.gov.uk. The fee is currently 159 and should be paid for online to prevent delays.

This process also applies if you passed your oral exam more than 3 years ago.

Unused NOE

If you were issued with a NOE over 5 years ago but did not sit the exam, the fee is reduced (currently 90). Well also need to see two forms of evidence showing 6 months seagoing service in the last 5 years.

Merchant Navy

For guidance on the licence requirements, please see MSN 1856 Amendment 1

• Deck Officer of the Watch II/1: sections 3.1 and 3.2
• Chief Mate II/2 Unlimited: section 3.3
• Master II/2 Unlimited: section 3.4

Commercial and private yachts (over 24m)

For guidance on the licence requirements, please see MSN 1858 Amendment 1.

For conversions to a yacht CoC, please see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/certification-for-deck-officers-on-commercial-and-private-yachts#conversions-to-a-yacht-coc

Watch rating certificate

For guidance on the certification requirements, please see MSN 1862 Amendment 1.

Tug CoC

For the licence requirements, please see MGN 495.

Fishing CoC

To find more information about training and certification for deck fishing vessel crew, please see MGN 411.

GMDSS STCW endorsement

For the endorsement requirements, please see MSN 1864 Amendment 1.

Radio operators working on offshore oil and gas installations or fishing vessels do not need a GMDSS endorsement. If you do request an endorsement, youll need to comply with MCA application requirements and provide STCW basic training certificates.

Please contact AMERC if youve lost your original GOC or ROC certificate and need a replacement.

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) licence

For the licence requirements, please see MGN 434.

New tanker endorsements

Sea service/training/occupation must be within the last 5 years:

Basic/Operational level

1. Relevant MCA-approved Basic Tanker Training, and;
2. MCA-approved Tanker Fire Fighting.

If you already hold Advanced Oil or Advanced Chemical tanker endorsement on your UK CoC, you automatically qualify for Basic Oil and Chemical endorsement (i.e. no training required).

Advanced/Management level

1. You must meet the basic level requirements
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