Nope. If you're working on your entry level MMC which is OS, Wiper and Food Handler you don't need either.
The entry level MMC always gives you Ordinary Seafarer (OS - Deck Department), Wiper (Engine Department) and Food Handler (Cook).
To get your entry level MMC you only need to provide the following:
A Valid TWIC
A valid Medical (CG-719K or CG-719K/E is accepted)
The CG-719K/E is only for entry level mariners and is a shorter form. If you use this you will need to do another physical if you want to move up to Able Seafarer, QMED, Mate or Master.
A DOT 5 Panel Drug Test from the last 185 days
Verification of your identity
To receive an entry level MMC you can either provided proof that you are a US citizen, or provide documents that allow you to work.
The options as a US citizen are any one of the following: certified copy of birth certificate; U.S. Passport; Certificate of Citizenship issued by U.S.; Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S.; Merchant mariner's document from the Coast Guard after Feb 3, 2003 that shows you are a citizen.
If you are not a US citizen, you need one of the following; Permanent resident card (form I-551); a declaration of intention to become a citizen of the United States issued by a naturalization court; or a certificate issued by the consular representative of the country of which the alien is a citizen or subject.
Receipt from Pay.gov
This is where approximately 1/3 of the mistakes were made with USCG License applications in 2021. You can either pay fees on your own and upload them to MM-SEAS; or the easier way is to have MM-SEAS automatically take care of paying your fees on your behalf.
A completed CG-719B (MMC Application Form)
You can check the box and you're good to go. If you do have sea service letters or have taken USCG approved training make sure to add them into the site.
We hope this made your life a little easier and if you have other questions the MM-SEAS team is always here to help!
MM-SEAS is free to use on your own and if you need some more personalized help you can upgrade to MM-SEAS Expert Access inside of the site.
No matter what, when you are ready to submit your application you can do it yourself, or you can hand the whole thing to us. An MM-SEAS Navita Navigator walks you through submitting in Navita, the Coast Guard's new submission portal, on a short video call. No computer, or not up for a video call? Our team gets your application submitted to the Coast Guard for you anyway. A Stress-Free MMC is $399. Two MM-SEAS licensing experts check every page, we pay your Coast Guard fees at submission and charge your card so you never touch pay.gov, and we stay on it with the National Maritime Center until your credential is issued.
MM-SEAS Expert Access is $99 a year. It is your personal guidance counselor for USCG licensing: what training you need next, which sea time counts, and how to reach the credential you want, by phone, email, chat or a 1 on 1 video call. Expert Access members also get $50 off a Stress-Free MMC.
Need to renew, upgrade or get your first USCG license? We're here to help.
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.
