USCG Medical Certificate: The Simple Guide You Need

Introduction

If you’re working toward an MMC or keeping your credentials current, the USCG medical certificate is one of those requirements every mariner runs into sooner or later. It’s a routine part of staying qualified and ready to sail.

The process isn’t complicated, but it does help to know how it works and what the Coast Guard expects before you start.

This guide is here to give you a clear path forward, so you can handle the medical certificate requirement confidently and move on to the next step in your maritime career.

What Is a USCG Medical Certificate?

A USCG medical certificate is an official document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard that confirms a mariner is medically fit to perform shipboard duties.

It’s tied to your Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) and is required for most licenses, endorsements, and renewals.

The medical certificate is based on a Coast Guard–approved medical exam that evaluates your overall fitness for duty, not perfection.

Who Needs a USCG Medical Certificate?

In general, any mariner applying for or holding a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) will need a valid USCG medical certificate. It’s a standard requirement tied to safety, fitness for duty, and regulatory compliance.

That said, who needs one and when depends on your role and where you are in the credentialing process.

Mariners Applying for an MMC

If you're applying for your first MMC, you must have a valid medical certificate. The Coast Guard won’t issue an MMC without confirming your fitness for duty. This is a non-negotiable part of the process, so ensure your medical exam is completed before submitting your application.

Mariners Renewing or Upgrading Credentials

For those renewing or upgrading their MMC (like upgrading a captain's license or adding endorsements), medical fitness must be maintained. When submitting your renewal or upgrade application, the Coast Guard will review your medical certificate to ensure you’re still fit to serve in your role.

Licensed Officers and Credentialed Ratings

All licensed officers and mariners with a Coast Guard credential (like a captain, engineer, or officer) need a valid medical certificate to stay active. This includes those in both deck and engine departments. It’s essential to stay compliant to continue sailing.

Entry-Level and Working Mariners

Even if you're just starting out, entry-level mariners may need a medical certificate depending on:

• The credential you’re applying for
• The vessel type you’ll work on
• Employer and regulatory requirements

If you're unsure, it’s always safest to assume you need one. Verify with your employer or Coast Guard before submitting your application.

USCG Medical Certificate Requirements (Complete Checklist)

To receive a USCG medical certificate, the Coast Guard needs confirmation that you can safely perform shipboard duties in real-world conditions. 

The requirements aren’t meant to be a barrier, but they do need to be complete and accurate. Most delays come from missing details, not failed exams.

Below is a full breakdown of what the Coast Guard expects when reviewing a medical certificate application.

✅ Coast Guard Medical Evaluation Form (CG-719K)

• You must complete Form CG-719K, the official Coast Guard medical evaluation form
• Every section must be filled out, even if the answer is “N/A”
• The form must be signed and dated by both you and the medical provider

⛵Blank boxes, skipped questions, or missing signatures are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed.

✅ Exam Performed by a Licensed Medical Provider

• The exam must be conducted by a licensed physician (MD/DO), physician assistant (PA), or nurse practitioner (NP)
• The provider does not need to be Coast Guard–certified, but they must complete the form correctly and legibly

⛵Choosing a provider who has completed Coast Guard medical forms before can help avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.

✅ Vision Standards Documentation

Your medical exam must include documented vision results, including:

• Distance vision (with or without corrective lenses)
• Near vision
• Color vision testing when required

⛵Corrective lenses are allowed, and many mariners are approved with vision limitations noted on their certificate.

✅ Hearing Standards Documentation

The exam must document hearing ability using:

• A forced-whisper test, or
• An audiogram, if required

⛵Hearing aids may be permitted depending on the role and documented results.

✅ General Physical Fitness Assessment

The provider evaluates whether you can safely perform essential shipboard tasks, including:

• Standing watch for extended periods
• Climbing ladders and stairs
• Working in confined or noisy spaces
• Responding to emergencies

⛵The Coast Guard looks at functional ability, not athletic performance.

✅ Full Medical History Disclosure

You are required to disclose:

• Current medical conditions
• Past surgeries or hospitalizations
• Chronic illnesses
• All medications you are currently taking

⛵Honesty is critical. Many conditions are approvable, but undisclosed conditions can cause denials or later complications.

✅ Medication Review

Certain medications require additional review, especially those that may:

• Cause drowsiness
• Affect alertness or reaction time
• Impair judgment

In some cases, the Coast Guard may request:

• A physician’s statement
• Dosage information
• Confirmation of stability and side effects

✅ Supporting Medical Documentation (When Applicable)

If you have a medical condition that requires monitoring or treatment, you may need to include:

• Treating physician statements
• Recent test results
• Proof of effective management or compliance

⛵Submitting this documentation with your initial application often speeds up the review process significantly.

✅ Drug Testing Compliance

While the medical certificate itself focuses on physical fitness, your overall MMC application must also include:

• A DOT-compliant drug test, or
• Proof of enrollment in a Coast Guard–approved consortium like APCA

⛵Missing drug testing paperwork can delay credential issuance even if the medical exam is approved.

✅ Proper Submission to the Coast Guard

Your medical certificate paperwork can be submitted:

• Alongside a new or renewal MMC application, or
• Separately, if you already hold an MMC

⛵The medical certificate is reviewed independently, so accuracy matters even if the rest of your application is complete.

How to Get a USCG Medical Certificate (Step-by-Step)

Once you’re ready to move forward, the process itself is very manageable. There’s a clear order to follow, and when you stick to it, things tend to move without much friction.

Think of this section as a helpful roadmap:

Step 1: Book the Right Type of Medical Exam

Start by scheduling a medical exam with a licensed provider and let them know it’s specifically for a U.S. Coast Guard medical certificate. This helps set expectations and avoids confusion with a routine physical.

Bring the Coast Guard medical form with you so everything can be handled in one visit.

Step 2: Complete the Exam and Review the Paperwork

During the appointment, the provider completes the medical form while conducting the exam. Before you leave, take a moment to review the paperwork with them.

You’re simply making sure the form is complete, clear, and ready to submit. This small step goes a long way.

Step 3: Add Any Extra Documentation Early

If your situation requires supporting paperwork, it’s best to include it from the start rather than waiting for a request later.

Providing context upfront keeps the review process from stalling.

Step 4: Submit Your Medical Packet

Once everything is together, submit your medical paperwork to the Coast Guard. This can be done alongside other credentialing documents or on its own, depending on where you are in the process.

At this point, your role is mostly complete.

Step 5: Monitor and Respond

The Coast Guard may reach out if clarification or additional information is needed. When they do, responding promptly helps keep your application moving.

Most follow-ups are routine and easy to resolve.

Step 6: Receive Your Medical Certificate

After review, the Coast Guard issues your medical certificate. From there, you’re cleared from a medical standpoint and ready to move on to the next step in your credentialing or renewal process.

How Long Is a USCG Medical Certificate Valid?

A USCG medical certificate is valid for a set period of time, and that timeframe depends on your age and the type of credential you hold.

For most mariners, the medical certificate is issued with a validity of up to two years. Some mariners may receive a shorter validity period if the Coast Guard determines more frequent medical review is appropriate.

Key points to know

• The expiration date is printed directly on the medical certificate
• Your medical certificate must remain valid while you are actively sailing
• An expired medical certificate can prevent you from serving in positions that require one

When to Renew

It’s a good idea to start the renewal process well before the expiration date, especially if:

• You’re planning a license or MMC renewal
• You have a medical condition that requires documentation
• You want to avoid interruptions to your sailing schedule

What Happens If Your Medical Certificate Is Delayed, Limited, or Denied?

Most medical certificate applications move through without issue. When delays or limitations do happen, they’re usually tied to missing information, not a failed medical exam.

Understanding how the Coast Guard handles these situations can take a lot of uncertainty out of the process.

If Your Application Is Delayed

A delay usually means the Coast Guard needs more information before making a decision. Common reasons include:

• Incomplete or unclear medical forms
• Missing test results or physician statements
• Follow-up questions about a disclosed condition

In these cases, the Coast Guard will contact you with specific instructions. Responding promptly and completely is the fastest way to get things back on track.

If Your Medical Certificate Is Issued With Limitations

Sometimes the Coast Guard approves a medical certificate with operational limitations. These are conditions placed on the certificate to ensure safety, such as:

• Requiring corrective lenses
• Limiting service to certain vessel types or routes
• Requiring periodic medical review

A limitation does not mean you cannot work. It simply defines the conditions under which you are medically cleared to sail.

If Your Medical Certificate Is Denied

A denial is less common and usually occurs when the Coast Guard determines that a medical condition cannot be safely managed for the duties required.

If this happens:

• The Coast Guard will explain the reason for the decision
• You may be able to submit additional medical documentation
• In some cases, reconsideration or appeal options may be available

Many initial denials are resolved with additional information or updated evaluations.

Tips to Get Approved Faster For a USCG Medical Certificate

Most delays with USCG medical certificates don’t come from medical findings. They come from small, avoidable issues in paperwork and timing. A little preparation on the front end can save weeks on the back end.

Here are a few proven ways to keep the process moving.

Choose a Provider Familiar With Coast Guard Exams

While any licensed provider can complete the exam, those who’ve handled Coast Guard medical forms before tend to make fewer mistakes. Familiarity with the process often means cleaner paperwork and fewer follow-up questions.

Review Your Forms Before Submitting

Before you send anything in, take a moment to:

• Check for blank fields
• Confirm all required signatures and dates
• Make sure handwriting is legible

This quick review can prevent your application from being sent back for simple corrections.

Include Supporting Documents Up Front

If you know you have a condition or medication that may require explanation, include the supporting documentation with your initial submission. Waiting for the Coast Guard to ask almost always adds time.

Be Accurate and Consistent

Information on your medical form should match what’s been submitted with past applications when applicable. Inconsistencies can slow review while the Coast Guard seeks clarification.

Submit Early, Not at the Deadline

Medical reviews take time, and processing volumes fluctuate. Submitting early gives you breathing room if follow-up is needed and helps avoid last-minute delays that can impact your sailing schedule.

Final words: Get Cleared and Get Moving

The USCG medical certificate isn’t about proving you’re perfect. It’s about showing the Coast Guard that you’re fit for duty in real shipboard conditions and ready to work safely at sea.

For most mariners, approval comes down to clear documentation, honest disclosure, and complete paperwork. When those pieces are in place, the process is usually far more straightforward than people expect.

If you’re preparing to apply for or renew your MMC, taking the time to understand the medical requirements upfront can save you weeks of delay later. A little preparation now means fewer surprises and a smoother review.