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USCG License Application
The USCG license application package is a collection of several forms and much documentation.
The total number of forms and amount of documentation will depend on the transaction required.
All the required USCG forms can be downloaded individually from the USCG License Center
website, you may download one of the three application packages that I have prepared. These
application packages contain all the required USCG forms along with a list of the required
documentation and some other useful information. The USCG application packages are available
on the left-hand sidebar under the menu.
Explanation of the USCG Application Process, USCG Forms, and Documentation Required
USCG Application Form CG-719B
This is a one size fits all form required for any transaction with a USCG Regional Exam Center
(REC). This form consists of eight sections contained in four pages.
Merchant Marine Physical Exam Form CG-719K
With the exception of an endorsement to an existing license or an application for a ordinary
seaman's card every USCG application package must contain a recent (within one year) Merchant
Marine physical exam completed on form CG-719K; this includes license renewals and upgrades. If
you are applying for an ordinary seaman's card you may use the Merchant Marine Certification of
Fitness form CG-719K/E.
USCG/DOT Periodic Drug Testing Form CG-719P
With the exception of an endorsement to an existing license a recent (within one year) periodic drug
test or evidence of participation in a random USCG/DOT periodic drug testing program is required
for any USCG application package, this includes license renewals and upgrades. Form CG-719P is
not required, but contains instructions and drug testing options.
Small Vessel Sea Service Form CG-719S
Documentation of sea service experience can be easily accomplished using form CG-719S. This is
a simple two page form (page two contains privacy information) with three sections. Complete one
form for each vessel you are claiming sea service experience on.
Passport Photo
A passport photo is required for issuance or renewal of an STCW certificate or Merchant Mariners
Document, it is not required for issuance of a license transaction. Most REC's have the capability of
taking a digital picture, but brining a recent passport photo with you can save you some time.
Fingerprints
Recent (within one year) fingerprints are required for any USCG transaction except a license
endorsement. Your fingerprints must be taken at a REC or other approved government agency. If
you cannot be fingerprinted at the REC you will need to call them to make arrangements to get
fingerprinted at another approved agency.
FBI Background Check
A recent (within one year) FBI background check will be conducted on every application received
for a Merchant Marine license or document. Before this background check can begin you will need
to present picture ID and be fingerprinted. This can only be done in person, so you might as well
hand deliver your application to the closest REC. Processing will not begin until the FBI background
check has been completed.
The remaining documentation is required for an original issue of a Merchant Marine license or
document only and will not need to be re-submitted with any future applications for renewal or raise
in grade. Always provide original documents and have copies available. The REC will sign and date
the copies with the date the originals were observed and return the original documents to you.
Additional information on USCG licensing information is available in the window below or may be
viewed directly at ColumbiaPacificOnline.com/blog.
The USCG license application package is a collection of several forms and much documentation.
The total number of forms and amount of documentation will depend on the transaction required.
All the required USCG forms can be downloaded individually from the USCG License Center
website, you may download one of the three application packages that I have prepared. These
application packages contain all the required USCG forms along with a list of the required
documentation and some other useful information. The USCG application packages are available
on the left-hand sidebar under the menu.
Explanation of the USCG Application Process, USCG Forms, and Documentation Required
USCG Application Form CG-719B
This is a one size fits all form required for any transaction with a USCG Regional Exam Center
(REC). This form consists of eight sections contained in four pages.
- Section I is personal information
- Section II describes the type of transaction
- Section III contains questions regarding your criminal background. Answer these questions
truthfully and sign the bottom of this section. Provide a short explanation for any question
you answered yes to. - Section IV pertains to applicants for an original USCG license and is a reminder to provide
three letters of character reference with the application. - Section V is the consent form. Signing for the National Driver Registry is mandatory, signing
for the tracking system is optional. - Section VI is the Merchant Marine Oath. Two signatures are required for this section, but the
second one must be signed in the Coast Guard Official. - Sections VII and VIII are for the USCG use only.
Merchant Marine Physical Exam Form CG-719K
With the exception of an endorsement to an existing license or an application for a ordinary
seaman's card every USCG application package must contain a recent (within one year) Merchant
Marine physical exam completed on form CG-719K; this includes license renewals and upgrades. If
you are applying for an ordinary seaman's card you may use the Merchant Marine Certification of
Fitness form CG-719K/E.
USCG/DOT Periodic Drug Testing Form CG-719P
With the exception of an endorsement to an existing license a recent (within one year) periodic drug
test or evidence of participation in a random USCG/DOT periodic drug testing program is required
for any USCG application package, this includes license renewals and upgrades. Form CG-719P is
not required, but contains instructions and drug testing options.
Small Vessel Sea Service Form CG-719S
Documentation of sea service experience can be easily accomplished using form CG-719S. This is
a simple two page form (page two contains privacy information) with three sections. Complete one
form for each vessel you are claiming sea service experience on.
- Section I contains applicant information, vessel information, and route information. Be as
descriptive as possible when describing the body of water. Astoria, Oregon does not
describe a body of water, but the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean between Tillamook Head
and North Head provides a detailed description. - Section II contains the documentation of underway sea service. Sea service is documented in
eight-hour days; any day you were on a boat, had a position of responsibility, and were away
from the dock for more than four hours counts as an eight hour sea day.
- The top part of this section is used as a worksheet; estimate the number of underway
days for each month of each year you are claiming sea service on the vessel. - The bottom part of this form is where you total the days from the worksheet. The
boundary line refers to the dividing line for inland and near coastal sea service. In
most cases this is a line drawn between the ends of the jetties at the entrance to
harbors and rivers; in other cases, such as SE Alaska, it is a line drawn between the
most seaward points of land. Shore-ward of the boundary line refers to inland sea
days. Sea-ward of the boundary line refers to near coastal sea days; if at any time
during the day you crossed the boundary line and entered ocean waters that day is
considered a near coastal sea day.
- Section III must be signed by the applicant and the vessel owner, operator, or someone else
with authority over the vessel that can swear to you sea service. If you owned the boat than
you will need to provide proof of ownership (state registration or federal documentation
papers).
Passport Photo
A passport photo is required for issuance or renewal of an STCW certificate or Merchant Mariners
Document, it is not required for issuance of a license transaction. Most REC's have the capability of
taking a digital picture, but brining a recent passport photo with you can save you some time.
Fingerprints
Recent (within one year) fingerprints are required for any USCG transaction except a license
endorsement. Your fingerprints must be taken at a REC or other approved government agency. If
you cannot be fingerprinted at the REC you will need to call them to make arrangements to get
fingerprinted at another approved agency.
FBI Background Check
A recent (within one year) FBI background check will be conducted on every application received
for a Merchant Marine license or document. Before this background check can begin you will need
to present picture ID and be fingerprinted. This can only be done in person, so you might as well
hand deliver your application to the closest REC. Processing will not begin until the FBI background
check has been completed.
The remaining documentation is required for an original issue of a Merchant Marine license or
document only and will not need to be re-submitted with any future applications for renewal or raise
in grade. Always provide original documents and have copies available. The REC will sign and date
the copies with the date the originals were observed and return the original documents to you.
- Proof of Citizenship; a government certified copy of your original birth certificate or a current
passport are the primary documents required, although a selection of alternative documents
are accepted. - Social Security Card
- Standard First Aid and CPR cards; this is required for an original issue of a Merchant Marine
license only, it is not required for a MMD or with an application for renewal or raise in grade
of an existing license. The course completion date on the cards must be within one year of
the application date. - Character Reference; three letters of character reference are required for the original issue
of a Merchant Marine License only, they are not required for an MMD. The character
reference should be from who will swear to your good character and suitability to hold a
USCG Merchant Marine License. A simple one page form character reference is provided in
the application packages available for download.
Additional information on USCG licensing information is available in the window below or may be
viewed directly at ColumbiaPacificOnline.com/blog.
USCG Application Packages
The following application
packages have been compiled
by Columbia Pacific Maritime
and include all the required
forms required for the original
issue, renewal, reissue, raise in
grade, or increase in scope of a
Merchant Marine License or
document.
USCG License Application
Able Seaman Application
Ordinary Seaman Application
Online USCG Application Tutorial
The following application
packages have been compiled
by Columbia Pacific Maritime
and include all the required
forms required for the original
issue, renewal, reissue, raise in
grade, or increase in scope of a
Merchant Marine License or
document.
USCG License Application
Able Seaman Application
Ordinary Seaman Application
Online USCG Application Tutorial
USCG Regional Exam
Centers (REC) Locations
Alaska
800 E. Diamond Blvd., Suite
3-227
Anchorage, AK 99515
(907)271-6736
2760 Sherwood Lane, Suite 2A
Juneau, AK 99801-8545
(907)463-2458
California
501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 6200
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562)495-1840
Oakland Federal Bldg., North
Tower
1301 Clay Street, Room 180N
Oakland, CA 94612-5200
(510)637-1124
Florida
Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 SW 1st Ave., 6th Floor
Miami, FL 33130-1608
(305)536-6548
(305)536-6874
Hawaii
433 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813-4909
(808)522-8264
Louisiana
4250 Hwy 22, Suite F
Mandeville, LA 70471
(985)624-5700
Maryland
US Customs House
40 South Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-4022
(410)962-5132
Massachusetts
455 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109-1045
(617)223-3040
Missouri
1222 Spruce Street, Suite
8.104E
St. Louis, MO 63103-2835
(314)539-3091
New York
Battery Park Building
1 South Street
New York, NY 1004-1466
(212)668-7492
Ohio
420 Madison Ave., Suite 700
Toledo, OH 43604
(419)418-6010
Oregon
911 NE 11th Ave, Room 637
Portland, OR 97232
(503)231-2296
South Carolina
196 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401-1899
(843)720-3250
Tennessee
200 Jefferson Ave., Suite 1302
Memphis, TN 38103
(901)544-3297
Texas
8876 Gulf Freeway, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77017-6595
(713)948-3350
Washington
915 Second Ave., Room 194
Seattle, WA 98174-1067
(206)220-7327
For additional information on
USCG Licensing visit the USCG
License Center website
http://www.uscg.mil/STCW
Centers (REC) Locations
Alaska
800 E. Diamond Blvd., Suite
3-227
Anchorage, AK 99515
(907)271-6736
2760 Sherwood Lane, Suite 2A
Juneau, AK 99801-8545
(907)463-2458
California
501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 6200
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562)495-1840
Oakland Federal Bldg., North
Tower
1301 Clay Street, Room 180N
Oakland, CA 94612-5200
(510)637-1124
Florida
Claude Pepper Federal Building
51 SW 1st Ave., 6th Floor
Miami, FL 33130-1608
(305)536-6548
(305)536-6874
Hawaii
433 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813-4909
(808)522-8264
Louisiana
4250 Hwy 22, Suite F
Mandeville, LA 70471
(985)624-5700
Maryland
US Customs House
40 South Gay Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-4022
(410)962-5132
Massachusetts
455 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109-1045
(617)223-3040
Missouri
1222 Spruce Street, Suite
8.104E
St. Louis, MO 63103-2835
(314)539-3091
New York
Battery Park Building
1 South Street
New York, NY 1004-1466
(212)668-7492
Ohio
420 Madison Ave., Suite 700
Toledo, OH 43604
(419)418-6010
Oregon
911 NE 11th Ave, Room 637
Portland, OR 97232
(503)231-2296
South Carolina
196 Tradd Street
Charleston, SC 29401-1899
(843)720-3250
Tennessee
200 Jefferson Ave., Suite 1302
Memphis, TN 38103
(901)544-3297
Texas
8876 Gulf Freeway, Suite 200
Houston, TX 77017-6595
(713)948-3350
Washington
915 Second Ave., Room 194
Seattle, WA 98174-1067
(206)220-7327
For additional information on
USCG Licensing visit the USCG
License Center website
http://www.uscg.mil/STCW