The UK MCA informed of the change to the format of STCW Certificates of Competency and Flag State Endorsement / Certificates of Equivalent Competency, including sample images of the new certificates, as well as information on changes to the application process that seafarers should follow to obtain and revalidate certification from the MCA.
Starting from January 2021, the MCA has begun issuing full certificates with a five-year validity. The certificates are issued in the new format and will be a resumption in the issuance of physical certification by the MCA.
The MCA has modernised the UK certificate format to a new photocard design. This card includes the relevant information for the qualification a seafarer holds. In some cases, a seafarer may receive multiple certificates depending on the type and number of capacities they have qualified for. Each certificate issued will carry a unique certificate number.
Those applying for their first UK CoC will be required to provide original documents in support of their application.
You should ensure that your application form and all supporting documents are submitted to the address detailed in section. If your application requires the submission of a Training Record Book (TRB), the original physical TRB will need to be submitted to the MCA.
Find more information and the new UK certificate format herebelow:
