National Maritime Center Remains Closed Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced an extension for merchant mariner credentials and medical certificates until January 31, 2026, as the federal government shutdown enters its fifth week with no end in sight.
The National Maritime Center (NMC), which handles credentialing for U.S. mariners, is still closed. This means that all Regional Examination Centers are also shut down, halting customer walk-in services and canceling exams for the duration of the shutdown.
The NMC is responsible for issuing the necessary credentials to legally work on U.S. commercial vessels. With the center closed, U.S. mariners are unable to renew, upgrade, or take tests, impacting the workforce and operations of the domestic fleet.
Recent updates provide important relief for mariners whose credentials are set to expire during the shutdown, overriding previous guidance.
The Coast Guard addressed the issue in a letter stating, “Due to the federal government’s lapse in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard cannot process applications for mariner credentials at this time.”
According to new guidance, Merchant Mariner Credentials (limited to National Endorsements) and Medical Certificates that expire in October and November 2025 will be valid until January 31, 2026. Mariners whose credentials have expired must carry both their expired documents and a copy of the Coast Guard's extension letter while at sea.
Other extensions include approval letters for tests and mariner training certificates that also expire in October and November 2025, which now last until January 31, 2026. Certifications for Qualified Assessors and Designated Examiners that expire on October 31, 2025, will be valid through February 28, 2026. Those expiring on November 30 will be valid until March 31, 2026. Additionally, 90-day retest periods paused since October 1 will resume once operations restart.
The shutdown, which started on October 1 after the last continuing resolution ended, is poised to be the longest in U.S. history, beating the previous 35-day record from 2018-19. Approximately 900,000 federal workers are furloughed, while over 2 million are working without pay.
The Coast Guard’s Mariner Credentialing Program is vital for verifying mariners and protecting access to essential maritime infrastructure while facilitating the Marine Transportation System. In 2024, the NMC handled nearly 75,000 mariner credential requests and 66,000 medical certificate applications, highlighting its importance in U.S. maritime operations.
The closure of the NMC occurs as efforts continue to enhance the nation’s maritime workforce, as directed by President Trump’s executive order on restoring maritime dominance.
While email submissions for applications are still accepted, processing will only resume once funding is restored.
“The NMC recognizes that the shutdown will impact our industry customers and stakeholders, and we regret any inconvenience,” stated Capt. Patrick A. Drayer, Officer in Charge of Marine Inspections.
These extensions apply solely to domestic operations and do not include STCW endorsements.
For any questions, mariners can reach out to the NMC Customer Service Center via online chat, email at [email protected], or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).