Seafarer medical certificate (STCW + MLC)

What's tested, validity, approved doctors by flag state, and the difference between the statutory STCW/MLC medical and an employer PEME.

What it is

A medical certificate issued by a flag-state-approved doctor confirming the seafarer is medically fit for duty under STCW Regulation I/9 and MLC Regulation 1.2 — including eyesight, hearing, blood pressure, cardiac, respiratory, and general physical assessment.

Who needs it

Every seafarer working on a commercial vessel. Cadets need it before their first contract. Some specialist roles (e.g. tanker, offshore DP) require additional medicals beyond the base STCW/MLC certificate.

When it is checked

• Manning-agency intake.
• Sign-on muster onboard.
• Port-state-control inspections.
• Insurance and P&I claims.

Common mistakes

• Using a non-approved doctor — the certificate is invalid for the flag state.
• Letting it lapse mid-contract — typically valid 2 years, 1 year for under-18s, less for some flags.
• Missing colour-vision endorsement for deck officers and ratings on lookout.
• Treating the employer PEME (Pre-Employment Medical Examination) as the same thing — they overlap but the statutory medical is separate.

Validity

Maximum 2 years for over-18s, 1 year for under-18s. Colour-vision portion is reviewed every 6 years. Flag-state administrations may impose shorter validity.

If lost or expired

Re-test with a flag-state-approved doctor. Most administrations publish the list online — see /seafarer-guides for per-country pointers. If the certificate expires while at sea, MLC Regulation 1.2(8) allows a maximum 3-month extension at the discretion of the Master, but only to allow the seafarer to reach an approved doctor.

Last verified 5 months ago