The US Coast Guard (USCG) physical examination is a mandatory medical evaluation required to demonstrate a mariner’s fitness for duty and ensure safety within the maritime environment. This evaluation confirms that an individual meets the specific health and physical standards necessary to perform their duties effectively and safely at sea. The process is necessary for nearly all professional mariners seeking to work aboard commercial vessels, providing official proof that the mariner has been assessed against federal health standards.
Defining the Requirement: Who Needs the Exam?
This specialized physical is primarily required for individuals applying for or renewing a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) or certain endorsements. The evaluation ensures compliance with medical and physical standards established under Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 10, Subpart C. These regulations mandate that mariners must demonstrate adequate vision, hearing, and overall physical health to perform all routine and emergency duties. The Coast Guard uses this exam to verify that an applicant has no medical conditions that could lead to sudden incapacitation or endanger the health and safety of others onboard.
Locating an Approved Medical Examiner
A common misconception is that the Coast Guard requires a physical to be performed by a specifically designated medical examiner, similar to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The USCG allows the physical to be conducted by any licensed medical doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who holds a valid license issued in the United States or a U.S. territory. The provider does not require a special designation, but they must be familiar with the USCG medical standards outlined in 46 CFR Part 10.
Mariners often search for providers who advertise maritime physicals or Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) exams. Occupational health clinics are a frequent choice because they are experienced with federal-level employment physicals, such as those for the Department of Transportation (DOT), which share procedural similarities with the USCG exam. Call ahead to ensure the clinic or provider is equipped to perform the specific vision and hearing tests required by the Coast Guard.
Preparing for the Examination
The primary preparation is obtaining the correct form, the Application for Mariner Medical Certificate, known as Form CG-719K. Mariners should download and print this multi-page form, completing the initial sections pertaining to their personal information and medical history before the appointment. They must provide a detailed history of past illnesses, surgeries, and all current medications, as this information is reviewed during the examination.
The mariner must also bring any necessary corrective lenses or hearing aids, as the required vision and hearing tests must be conducted while using these devices if they are needed for compliance. The physical examination includes an assessment of vital signs, a general physical evaluation, and specific testing to ensure adequate vision and hearing for maritime duties. The medical professional completes and signs the remaining sections of the CG-719K form after performing the required assessments.
Submitting and Maintaining Medical Certification
Following the examination, the completed CG-719K form, signed by both the mariner and the medical provider, must be submitted to the Coast Guard. The preferred method is for the applicant to email the completed form as a single PDF document to the National Maritime Center (NMC). The NMC uses this form to determine medical fitness and issue the medical certificate.
The validity period of the medical certificate varies depending on the credential and endorsements held. For mariners serving on vessels subject to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention, the certificate is typically valid for two years. For all other mariners with national endorsements, the maximum period of validity is five years. It is the mariner’s responsibility to track the expiration date and ensure a new physical is completed and submitted for renewal.