IMO STCW 2010 Regulations - List of Certificates or Documentary Evidence Required Under the STCW Convention (with November 2016 Amendment)
Under the STCW Convention, all seafarers need to meet minimum standards of competence, age, medical fitness, and approved sea-going service. These standards are set by each national administration, but as a minimum, they should reflect STCW standards and STCW Code. The certificates you are required to hold depend on your rank, responsibilities you are assigned on board, and the type of vessel you are serving on. Please find below a list of documentary evidence required under STCW 2010. You may also check our STCW Guide section for more clarity on the requirements at various stages of a merchant mariner's career.
Latest Guidelines & Amendments on Use of Electronic Certificates
The MSC.1/Circ.1665 outlines the IMO guidelines on the use of electronic certificates for seafarers. It aims to support the transition from paper to digital certificates by ensuring their authenticity, integrity, and ease of verification. The guidelines emphasize that electronic certificates must contain the same information as traditional ones, be protected against unauthorized alterations, and be easily accessible to relevant authorities and stakeholders. The document also sets out the technological and administrative measures required to maintain Security, including unique certificate identifiers and mechanisms for verification through official websites or secure databases.
The MSC.541(107) resolution, adopted in June 2023, introduces amendments to Part A of the STCW Code, reflecting the IMO’s support for digitalization in the maritime industry. These amendments, which are set to be enforced on January 1st 2025 (subject to conditions of acceptance), allow for the use of electronic formats for seafarer certificates and endorsements. Key updates include removing the necessity for official seals, photographs, and signatures on electronic documents and clarifying that terms like “front”, “back” and "overleaf" are not applicable to digital formats. The resolution encourages early implementation to streamline seafarer certification management and align with modern digital practices.
List of Certificates or Documentary Evidence With Nov 2016 Amendment
Table B-I/2
List of certificates or documentary evidence required under the STCW Convention
The list below identifies all certificates or documentary evidence described in the Convention which authorize the holder to serve in certain functions on board ships. The certificates are subject to the requirements of regulation I/2 regarding language and their availability in original form.
The list also references the relevant regulations and the requirements for endorsement, registration and revalidation.
|
Regulations* |
Type of certificate and brief description |
Endorsement attesting recognition of a certificate1 |
Registration required2 |
Revalidation of certificate3 |
|
II/1, II/2, II/3, III/1, III/2, III/3, III/6, IV/2, VII/2 |
Certificate of Competency - For masters, officers and GMDSS radio operators |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
II/4, III/4, VII/2 |
Certificate of Proficiency - For ratings duly certified to be a part of a Navigational or engine-room watch |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
II/5, III/5, III/7, VII/2 |
Certificate of Proficiency - For ratings duly certified as Able Seafarer Deck, Able Seafarer Engine or electro-technical rating |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
V/1-1, V/1-2 |
Certificate of Proficiency or endorsement to a Certificate of Competency - For masters and officers on oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
V/1-1, V/1-2 |
Certificate of Proficiency - For ratings on oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
V/2 |
Documentary evidence - Training for masters, officers, ratings and other personnel serving on passenger ships |
No |
No |
No4 |
|
V/3** |
Certificate of Proficiency - training for masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code |
No | Yes | Yes8 |
|
V/4** |
Certificate of Proficiency - for masters and officers on ships operating in polar waters |
No | Yes | Yes |
|
VI/1 |
Certificate of Proficiency5 - Basic training |
No |
Yes |
Yes6 |
|
VI/2 |
Certificate of Proficiency5 - Survival craft, rescue boats and fast rescue boats |
No |
Yes |
Yes6 |
|
VI/3 |
Certificate of Proficiency5 -Advanced fire fighting |
No |
Yes |
Yes6 |
|
VI/4 |
Certificate of Proficiency5 -Medical first aid and Medical Care |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
VI/5 |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
|
VI/6 |
No |
Yes |
No |
*See STCW regulations here
**V/3 & V/4 is a Part B amendment of November 2016
Notes:
- Endorsement attesting recognition of a certificate means endorsement in accordance with regulation I/2, paragraph 7.
- Registration required means as part of register or registers in accordance with regulation I/2, paragraph 14.
- Revalidation of a certificate means establishing continued professional competence in accordance with regulation I/11 or maintaining the required standards of competence in accordance with sections A-VI/1, A-VI/2, and A-VI/3, as applicable.
- As required by regulation V/2, paragraph 3 seafarers who have completed training in “crowd management”, “crisis management and human behaviour” or “passenger safety, Cargo safety and hull integrity” shall at intervals not exceeding five years, undertake appropriate refresher training or to provide evidence of having achieved the required standards of competence within the previous five years.
- The certificates of competency issued in accordance with regulations II/1, II/2, II/3, III/1, III/2, III/3, III/6 and VII/2 , II/2, II/3, III/1, III/2, III/3, III/6 and VII/2 include the proficiency requirements in “basic training”, “survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats”, “advanced fire fighting” and “medical first aid” therefore, holders of mentioned certificates of competency are not required to carry Certificates of Proficiency in respect of those competences of chapter VI.
- In accordance with sections A-VI/1, A-VI/2, and A-VI/3, seafarers shall provide evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence every five years.
- Where security awareness training or training in designated security duties is not included in the qualification for the certificate to be issued.
- In accordance with regulation V/3, seafarers shall, at intervals not exceeding five years, undertake appropriate refresher training or be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence within the previous five years."
Disclaimer: For general information purpose only - please check with IMO STCW Convention for the latest requirements and accurate info
LAST UPDATED ON Aug 25, 2025