National vs. STCW Endorsements

By Captain Mike · 50 years at sea · former MITAGS faculty
Checked against 46 CFR Parts 10–15 and NVIC 22-14 · September 2026

Part 1: The Basics Part 2: Want More Information?

PART 1 · THE BASICS

Your U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) may contain National endorsements, STCW endorsements, or both. Although they appear in the same credential, they serve different purposes. New to the term? Start with What Is STCW? →

What's the difference?

National Endorsement	STCW Endorsement
Establishes qualifications under U.S. regulations.	Establishes qualifications under international STCW standards.
May authorize service in specified capacities, routes, and vessel types.	Documents additional international training and competency qualifications.
May be sufficient when STCW does not apply.	Required when applicable STCW regulations govern the vessel and position.

A few practical examples

Mariner	National Endorsement	Corresponding STCW Qualification
Deck Officer	Third Mate Unlimited	OICNW (II/1)
Engineer	Third Assistant Engineer	OICEW (III/1)
Able Seafarer	Able Seafarer Unlimited	Able Seafarer–Deck (II/5)
Tankerman	Tank Vessel-PIC (DL)	Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations (V/1-1)
Chemical Tankerman	Tank Vessel-PIC (DL)	Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (V/1-1)
Gas Tanker Personnel	Tank Vessel-PIC (LG)	Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations (V/1-2)

Important: These examples show related qualifications, not automatic equivalencies. Each endorsement has its own requirements, and the national and STCW requirements must be checked separately.

Does every mariner need STCW?

No. STCW applies to seagoing vessels, and whether it applies to you depends on the vessel, voyage, position, and the exemptions in 46 CFR. For example, these are exempt:

Fishing vesselsBargesVessels operating exclusively on the Great LakesPilot vessels on pilotage dutySmall passenger vessels (T & K) on domestic near-coastal voyagesVessels under 200 GRT on domestic near-coastal voyagesUninspected passenger vessels on domestic near-coastal voyages

Vessels working only on rivers, harbors, and other inland waters are not seagoing, so STCW does not apply to them either.

A mariner should not purchase STCW training simply because someone says every captain or tankerman needs it.

Captain's Tip

Before applying for an endorsement or paying for training, determine whether you need National, STCW, or both. One does not automatically replace the other.

PART 2

Want More Information?

Tank vessel endorsements, other specialized qualifications, operating routes, and the regulations. Tap a topic to open it.

1Tank Vessel Endorsements: National and STCWTank Vessel-PIC, Tank Barge-PIC, Assistant and Engineer

Tank vessel personnel are a particularly useful example, because national cargo-transfer authority and STCW tanker qualifications are distinct.

National Endorsement	Related STCW Endorsement	Regulation
Tank Vessel-Assistant (DL)	Basic Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations	46 CFR 13.609
Tank Vessel-Assistant (LG)	Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations	46 CFR 13.611
Tank Vessel-PIC (DL), oil tanker service	Advanced Oil Tanker Cargo Operations	46 CFR 13.603
Tank Vessel-PIC (DL), chemical tanker service	Advanced Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations	46 CFR 13.605
Tank Vessel-PIC (LG)	Advanced Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations	46 CFR 13.607
Tank Barge-PIC (DL or LG)	Advanced tanker endorsement for the cargo type, limited to non-self-propelled vessels	46 CFR 13.603–13.607
Tank Vessel-Engineer	Advanced tanker endorsement for the cargo type, limited to maintenance and repair of cargo equipment	46 CFR 13.603–13.607

DL means Dangerous Liquids; LG means Liquefied Gases.

Qualifying for the national PIC endorsement does not automatically make you eligible for every corresponding STCW tanker endorsement. The advanced STCW endorsements generally call for at least 90 days of service on the matching type of tanker (oil, chemical, or gas), plus documentation.

The Coast Guard addresses these relationships in NVIC 22-14 and its tanker endorsement checklists.

NVIC 22-14: Tank Vessel Endorsements →

2Other Endorsements to ConsiderTowing, pilots, QMED, AB, OUPV, lifeboat, officers

Not every national endorsement has a direct, identically named STCW equivalent.

National Endorsement	STCW Consideration
Master of Towing Vessels	Depends on the vessel and operation; no automatic one-for-one STCW equivalent
First-Class Pilot	Distinct national pilotage authority
QMED	RFPEW or Able Seafarer–Engine may also be required for qualifying assignments
Able Seafarer	May require STCW RFPNW and Able Seafarer–Deck
OUPV	STCW generally not required for qualifying domestic operations
Lifeboat Operator	STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft may also apply
Master / Mate	The applicable STCW officer endorsement may be required

The NMC publishes separate national and STCW checklists for many of these qualifications.

3What About Oceans, Near Coastal, Great Lakes and Inland?Route authority vs. STCW

These terms describe operating-route authority, mainly on national deck endorsements. They are not separate STCW endorsements. For example, a mariner might hold:

NationalMaster Unlimited, Oceans

STCWMaster, Regulation II/2

The Oceans designation identifies the geographic scope of the national endorsement. STCW establishes the applicable international qualification. Whether STCW is required depends on the vessel, voyage, duties, and exemptions in 46 CFR.

4Where to Find the Regulations46 CFR Parts 10–15 and NMC checklists

Reference	Subject
46 CFR Part 10	MMC definitions and general requirements
46 CFR Part 11	Officer endorsements
46 CFR Part 12	Rating endorsements
46 CFR Part 13	Tank vessel endorsements (Subpart F: STCW tanker endorsements)
46 CFR 15.105	STCW exemptions for vessels and voyages
NMC Checklists	Individual national and STCW endorsement requirements

Final Captain's Tip

A National Endorsement establishes your U.S. credential authority. An STCW endorsement documents additional international qualifications when applicable. Before purchasing training or applying for an endorsement, check both requirements independently.

Official sources

Where this fits in your journey

Which NVIC and approved course apply to me?How do I read the CFR?All credentialing resources