The Cost of Obtaining and Maintaining a Merchant Mariner Credential Endorsement

The U.S. Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center (NMC) issues the merchant mariner credential (MMC) under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 10. The MMC serves as a means to collect a maritime employee’s various licenses and endorsements into one document.

The NMC has established a cost structure in association with issuing licenses, endorsements and other credentials. The timeline for payment of certain fees is as follows:

• issuance fee – prior to receipt of MMC;
• evaluation fee – at the time of application submittal; and
• examination fee – prior to commencement of first exam section.

Note that an exam fee must be paid in full one week prior to the exam date if the exam will be administered somewhere other than a U.S. Coast Guard Regional Exam Center.

Below is a price guideline for fees associated with commonly sought endorsements.

• Original MMC with officer endorsement – Upper level: $45 (issuance), $100 (evaluation) and $110 (examination).
• Original MMC with officer endorsement – Lower level: $45 (issuance), $100 (evaluation) and $95 (examination).
• Renewal of MMC with officer endorsement: $45 each for issuance and examination and $50 for evaluation.
• Raise of grade for MMC with officer endorsement: $45 each for issuance and examination and $100 for evaluation.
• Modification of MMC officer endorsement,such as removing a limitation or changing scope: $45 each for issuance and examination and $50 for evaluation.
• Radio officer endorsement – Original: $45 each for issuance and examination and $50 for evaluation.
• Radio officer endorsement – Renewal: $45 for issuance and $50 for evaluation.
• Staff officer endorsement – Original: $45 for issuance and $90 for evaluation.
• Staff officer endorsement – Renewal: $45 for issuance and $50 for evaluation.
• Original MMC endorsement for those other than qualified ratings: $45 for issuance and $95 for evaluation.
• Renewal of MMC endorsement for those other than qualified ratings: $45 for issuance and $50 for evaluation.
• Original MMC endorsement for a qualified rating: $45 (issuance), $95 (evaluation) and $140 (examination).
• Renewal of MMC endorsement for a qualified rating: $45 each for issuance and examination and $50 for evaluation.
• Upgrade or raise of grade for MMC rating endorsement: $45 for issuance, $95 for evaluation and $140 for examination.

There are no fees associated with original certification or renewal of certification for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). There is a $45 fee for the issuance of a reissue, replacement or duplicate MMC. There are no fees associated with receiving a duplicate of an MMC lost because of a fatal marine incident.

How to Pay U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential Fees

All payments must be submitted by cash, check, money order or credit card in the exact owed amount. Checks may be made payable to the U.S. Coast Guard. Secure online payments may be submitted via pay.gov. From the site’s home page, select Agency List>U>United States Coast Guard>USCG Merchant Mariner User Fee Payment.

Browse our blog to find additional information about maritime employment and requirements. Stay in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard documentation requirements – order online or call My Vessel Logs today to order all your necessary vessel logbooks: 888-468-3757.