STCW Certification Guide for USCG Mariners: What You Need and When
STCW is the international training standard for seafarers. If you want an ocean endorsement on your USCG MMC, you will need some combination of STCW certificates. Here is the full breakdown by endorsement level.
Updated May 2026 · 10 min read
What Is STCW
The Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) is an international maritime convention that sets minimum training, certification, and watchkeeping standards for seafarers on internationally voyaging ships. It was adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1978 and significantly updated in 1995 and again in 2010 (the Manila Amendments).
The USCG incorporated STCW requirements into 46 CFR Part 11. If your endorsement includes an ocean route — Near Coastal or Oceans — you need STCW certifications. Strictly inland mariners (rivers, Great Lakes only) generally do not need STCW certificates, though this depends on the specific vessel and trade route.
Who Needs STCW
As a rule of thumb:
- OUPV / 6-pack, inland only: No STCW required.
- Master or Mate, inland only: No STCW required.
- OUPV or Master 100 GT Near Coastal: Basic Safety Training (BST) only.
- Master 500 GT Near Coastal or Oceans: BST + PSC + AFF + GMDSS (officer level).
- Master 1600 GT and above: Full STCW officer package: BST + AFF + PSC + GMDSS + MFAP.
- Master Unlimited (Oceans): Full STCW package including Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch (OICNW) training.
These are the general USCG requirements under 46 CFR. The specific certificates required for your application depend on the endorsement you are seeking. Always verify against the specific CFR citation for your target endorsement before enrolling in training.
STCW Certificates Explained
Basic Safety Training
STCW Regulation VI/1
Valid: 5 years (revalidation required)
Required for
Any STCW endorsement on an ocean vessel. Required for all mariners serving on vessels subject to STCW.
Course covers
Personal survival techniques, fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal safety and social responsibilities.
Typical cost: $500–$900 typical
Advanced Fire Fighting
STCW Regulation VI/3
Valid: 5 years (revalidation required)
Required for
Chief mates, masters, and designated persons on STCW-regulated vessels. Required for Master 500 GT+ ocean and larger endorsements.
Course covers
Fire control and fire fighting, command and control of fire-fighting operations, management of emergencies at sea.
Typical cost: $400–$700 typical
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB)
STCW Regulation VI/2
Valid: 5 years (revalidation required)
Required for
Officers and ratings designated to operate or be in charge of a lifeboat or rescue boat. Required for officer-level endorsements on ocean vessels.
Course covers
Launching lifeboats and rescue boats, boarding and water entry procedures, handling survival craft in sea conditions.
Typical cost: $600–$1,000 typical
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
STCW Regulation IV/2
Valid: Restoral course every 5 years
Required for
Officers required to maintain a radio watch on ocean vessels. Required for Master and Mate ocean endorsements on vessels fitted with GMDSS equipment.
Course covers
Operation of GMDSS communication equipment, distress alerting, search and rescue communications, radio regulations.
Typical cost: $1,200–$2,000 for full course
Medical First Aid Provider (MFAP)
STCW Regulation VI/4
Valid: Recommend revalidation every 5 years
Required for
Officers and designated personnel on vessels without a ship's doctor. Required for many officer endorsements on ocean vessels.
Course covers
Medical examination, medical emergencies, dental procedures at sea, pharmacology, practical medical care.
Typical cost: $800–$1,400 typical
Vessel Security Officer (VSO)
STCW Regulation VI/5
Valid: No standard revalidation, but some companies require refreshers
Required for
Designated Vessel Security Officers on vessels subject to ISPS Code. Typically required for Captain/Master on vessels in international trade.
Course covers
Ship security plan development and implementation, threat assessment, security drills.
Typical cost: $300–$600 typical
Finding an Approved Training Provider
STCW training must be completed at a school approved by the USCG under 46 CFR Part 10 (Maritime Education and Training). The USCG maintains a searchable list of approved courses and providers on NMC Homeport.
Major maritime training providers include MITAGS (Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies), Resolve Maritime Academy, DP World Maritime Training, and various maritime academies. Local community colleges and maritime education programs may also offer USCG-approved STCW courses at lower cost.
Revalidation: Keeping Your STCW Current
Most STCW certificates under the Manila Amendments require revalidation every 5 years. Revalidation typically requires either:
- Approved refresher/revalidation course (shorter than the original course)
- Documented approved sea service within the validity period (for some certificates)
- In some cases, both sea service and a revalidation course
The specific revalidation requirements vary by certificate. BST has the clearest standard: complete an approved BST refresher or demonstrate approved onboard training within 5 years. If your BST has expired, you must complete the full BST course again (not just the refresher).
Add your STCW certificates — we track expiry dates alongside your MMC.