NMC announces relief for mariners with pending MMC applications
27 Aug

NMC announces relief for mariners with pending MMC applications

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) continues its efforts to reduce the elevated inventory of mariner applications and mitigate the impact of extended processing timelines on mariners. Temporary credential extensions and other mitigation measures outlined in the April 22 update will expire Aug. 31. However, the NMC recognizes that some mariners submitted renewal applications but, due to extending…
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NMC reports ‘substantial progress’ in reducing application backlog
21 Jul

NMC reports ‘substantial progress’ in reducing application backlog

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) has made substantial progress in reducing the backlog of applications resulting from the 2026 lapse in appropriations. As a result of sustained recovery efforts and increased production capacity, the NMC is updating its published processing timeline outlined in the NMC announcement dated June 16. Effective immediately, complete applications are expected to be…
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Coast Guard updates guidelines for approved training
03 Jun

Coast Guard updates guidelines for approved training

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training, Uncategorized,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-26, "Guidelines for Coast Guard Approved Training." This NVIC will streamline the process of obtaining Coast Guard approval of required training for a merchant mariner credential and will reduce the administrative burden on maritime training providers. This NVIC makes several changes to the…
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NMC update: Extension dates for MMCs, medical certificates
26 May

NMC update: Extension dates for MMCs, medical certificates

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) is expanding the existing extension policy for merchant mariner credentials (MMCs) and medical certificates impacted by the 2026 lapse in appropriations and continued processing delays. Effective immediately, MMCs (national endorsements only) and medical certificates (national and pilot expiration dates only) that expire between Jan. 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026, will remain…
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Normal operations resume at regional examination centers
15 May

Normal operations resume at regional examination centers

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(WASHINGTON) — Effective Monday, May 18, all regional examination centers (RECs) and monitoring units (MUs) except for REC New Orleans and MU San Juan will return to routine operations, including availability to schedule examinations for all mariners. REC New Orleans will remain temporarily closed to walk-in and counter service, but its examination room will reopen for scheduling and conducting mariner…
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NMC issues guidance on expired shipping labels, processing delays
07 May

NMC issues guidance on expired shipping labels, processing delays

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) is implementing an update to its policy regarding the use of customer-provided U.S. Postal Service (USPS) shipping labels for credential delivery. Due to current application inventory levels and extended processing timelines, applications may not be completed for several months after submission. In accordance with USPS shipping policy, shipping labels that are more…
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NMC resuming normal operations; processing delays likely
04 May

NMC resuming normal operations; processing delays likely

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime News, ,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — Funding for the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard has been restored, and the National Maritime Center (NMC) and Regional Examination Centers (RECs) are resuming normal operations in a phased approach to prioritize the most critical functions and address the backlog of applications and examinations resulting from the lapse in appropriations. Application procedures and processing…
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NMC update: Civilian staff return to work, RECs still closed
21 Apr

NMC update: Civilian staff return to work, RECs still closed

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Coast Guard remain without an appropriation providing full fiscal year 2026 funding, National Maritime Center (NMC) civilian staff have returned to work under alternative funding arrangements. As this funding stream is not a full appropriation and the duration of funding is uncertain, NMC staff have resumed normal…
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NMC issues guidance on delivery, use of e-medical certificates
08 Apr

NMC issues guidance on delivery, use of e-medical certificates

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training,
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) has released the following guidance on delivery, e-signing and troubleshooting common issues with e-medical certificates: What’s new • New medical certificates that do not include a medical waiver will now be delivered electronically via email. • Certificates are issued as standard 8.5-by-11-inch (letter size) PDF documents. • Certificates must be signed to…
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NMC to begin email delivery of medical certificates
26 Mar

NMC to begin email delivery of medical certificates

Professional Mariner StaffLicensing & Training
(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) — The National Maritime Center (NMC) will begin issuing medical certificates electronically via email effective Wednesday, April 1. This enhancement improves delivery speed, reliability, and accessibility by providing mariners with immediate access to their certificates. What’s changing on April 1: • Medical certificate (no waiver) delivered via email – standard delivery method. – All new medical certificates that…
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