No, you do need to meet STCW requirements for a domestic officer endorsement.
What Is the Difference Between Domestic and STCW Endorsements?
Domestic (National) Endorsements authorize you to sail in U.S. waters only.
STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) endorsements are international qualifications attached to your domestic endorsements, allowing you to work on vessels in international waters.
- You can hold a domestic endorsement without STCW, but:
- You must hold both domestic and STCW endorsements to work internationally.
What Are the Domestic Endorsements Equivalent to STCW?
Below are some common equivalents
⚠️ Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Equivalents you may qualify for can vary based on your vessel type, route, and tonnage.
Domestic (National) STCW Equivalent
_____________________________________________________________________
QMED Able Seafarer-Engine
Master 100 GRT Inland No STCW equivalent – Inland only
Unlimited Chief Mate (Oceans) Chief Mate 3000 GT or More – Management Level
Able Seafarer STCW Able Seafarer-Deck
Chief Engineer Limited Chief Engineer 1,000 & 4,000 HP Management Levels
OUPV (6-Pack License) No STCW equivalent – Near coastal only
We hope this made your life a little easier and if you have other questions the MM-SEAS team is always here to help!
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About the author
Nate Gilman is President and Co-Founder of MM-SEAS. He hawsepiped from the deck to a 3rd Mate Unlimited license with full STCW compliance over more than 15 years at sea, and is a veteran of the NOAA Commissioned Corps. He works directly with the National Maritime Center, USCG-approved training schools, and vessel operators on credentialing policy, and writes on sea service documentation, evaluation standards, and how mariners move up the license ladder.
