We are seeing license applications speeding up over the summer. We saw mmseas.com customers applications submitted in August have an average of 5.9 weeks from REC to in our customers hands which is way better than the large slow down for applications submitted in the month of May with an average of 9.5 weeks.
These averages are with a complete application with everything in the order the USCG REC and National Maritime Center evaluators prefer. The fastest we had in the month of August was 5 weeks and the slowest was 7.
MM-SEAS recommends planning for 90 days to get your new USCG license and then be pleasantly surprised when it comes faster!
There is absolutely no way to speed up the process other than ensuring your application is perfect.
First USCG License
If this is your first USCG License we recommend following the USCG National Maritime Center Guidance and not planning on getting your MMC until 90 days after you submit your application. If you submit a Stress-Free MMC with us, it will probably be closer to 5 - 8 weeks instead of the 13 weeks with the USCG Guidance but as a mariner you should get ready to plan for the worst and be pleasantly surprised sometimes.
Renewing your USCG License
We always recommend applying for your renewal 8 months before it expires to get it out of the way. Your new MMC becomes valid the day your old one expires.
You need a valid USCG license to work so make sure it is always valid. You are allowed to start the renewal process WAY in advance so make sure you do!
What about Expedited Shipping?
We believe this is a waste of your time and money. We have found that the USPS has been really fast at delivering MMCs and Medical Certificates. You can do this on your own but the mmseas.com team never wants to be part of wasting any of your time or money.
Do you think the process will get faster?
Yes, we have watched it this year but we are not expecting this 5-8 week time frame to go down any time soon. We have been told that the USCG National Maritime Center has implemented some new procedures which has helped to keep this pace but we're expecting applications to increase as people are shifting back to inside activities which could overload USCG National Maritime Center.
We are still seeing average times for Regional Exam Center reviews and Background Checks staying consistent. We've also seen the average wait time to get your USCG license package to a Professional Evaluators desk go down which is speeding the process up.
How do I get my application through the fastest?
The best way to get your new USCG License in you hand the fastest is to have a complete application with everything in the order the REC and NMC prefers.
This is exactly what MM-SEAS does! MM-SEAS software looks for all of the common errors such as missing both signatures and providing proper proof of ownership on the CG-719S and making sure you provide verification of identity for you original application.
We then pay your federal fees for you (second most common mistake we see), two MM-SEAS licensing experts double check everything on your application and then we build it in the order the REC and NMC prefer, which makes their lives easier as well.
After submission, we are also constantly keeping tabs on your application as it goes through the process and reach out to the USCG on your behalf to find out why the application is being slower than our other ones in the system.
The end result is the most stress free USCG licensing experience you will ever have.
Should I use MM-SEAS?
That is totally up to you! If you think everything is GTG and you don't need us then we encourage you to submit it yourself and not use us.
If you want two sets of expert eyes on your application and want us to have your back through the process then we are a good fit!
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.
