Certificate of Equivalent Competency Application Information
In accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW), unless the officers onboard a UK registered vessel hold a UK Certificate of Competency (CoC) they require a Certificate of Equivalent Competency (CEC) issued by the MCA. CECs are available to officers who hold a CoC issued in accordance with the STCW '95 amendment from a country whose standards of competency and training are considered to be equivalent to those of the UK (see table below).
Subject to CECs, there are no nationality restrictions associated with officers or crew sailing on UK vessels except that in the case of strategic ships the Master must be a British, British Commonwealth, NATO or EU national, or a national of a state which is party to the EEA Agreement. “Strategic” vessels are defined as fishing vessels over 24 metres in length, Class 1 passenger ships of 500gt or more certified to carry more than 300 passengers, ro-ros and product tankers.
Before making an application, please make sure you have read and are familiar with the following documents:
MGN 221 Training and Certification Guidance - Part 19 Certificates of Equivalent Competency
MSN 1825 (F) Certificate of Equivalent Competency: Fishing Vessels, Training & Certification Guidance Part F2
MIN 340 Certificates of Equivalent Competency - Amendment of Procedures
Step by Step Guide to the Application Process:
Click here if you are applying through a company
Click here if you are applying as an individual
Click here if you are applying for a Fishing CEC
The following table is a list of countries whose CoCs and GMDSS certificates that are accepted by the MCA. Please refer to this table before making your application.
Certificates |
GMDSS |
Important Notes |
| Australia | Yes |
We accept certificates issued from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). State issued certificates are not accepted Evidence of English is not required. |
| Belgium | Yes | |
| Bulgaria | Yes | |
| Canada | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| China | Yes | |
| Croatia | Yes | Please submit evidence of sea service if you are an engineer on a steam ship. |
| Czech Republic | Yes | |
| Denmark | Yes | |
| Estonia | Yes | |
| Faroe Islands | No | |
| Finland | Yes | |
| France | Yes | |
| Germany | Yes | |
| Greece | Yes | |
| Hong Kong | No | Evidence of English is not required |
| Hungary | Yes | Motorships Only |
| Iceland | Yes | |
| India | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Iran | No | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Ireland | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Italy | Yes | |
| Jamaica | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Korea, Republic of | No | |
| Latvia | Yes | |
| Lithuania | Yes | |
| Malaysia | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Malta | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Mynamar | No | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Netherlands | Yes | |
| New Zealand | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Norway | Yes | |
| Pakistan | No | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Philippines | Yes | |
| Poland | Yes | If you require a dangerous cargo endorsement, please submit your Polish tanker permission page. |
| Portugal | Yes | |
| Romania | Yes | Please submit evidence of sea service if you are an engineer on a steam ship. |
| Russia | Yes | |
|
Serbia & Montenagro |
No | |
| Singapore | Yes | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Slovenia | Yes | |
| South Africa | Yes |
Evidence of English is not required. Please submit evidence of sea service if you are an engineer on a steam ship. |
| Spain | Yes | |
| Sri Lanka | No | Evidence of English is not required. |
| Sweden | Yes | |
| Ukraine | Yes | |
| USA | No | Holders of USCG certification with limitations may be required to sit an oral examination of competency. Please contact the CEC team for further details. |
Where GMDSS GOC is not acceptable, candidates holding a GOC will be accepted as equivalent to ROC and their CECs will be marked accordingly. To be in charge of the vessel's radio station, the operator must hold a GOC. To keep a radio watch the operator must hold a minimum of a ROC.