Top Reasons Why CG Licensing Applications are Delayed

Excerpt from U.S. Coast Guard “Proceedings of the Marine Safety & Security Council” magazine.

Full article by Ms. Tina Bassett, Chief, Mariner Evaluations Division, U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center, available at www.uscg.mil/proceedings/fall2008.


Sea service. Remember to submit the service in the appropriate format (on the CG-719S, discharge certificates, or on company letterhead). When using the CG-719S, don’t forget to include the vessel owner’s name and the official number or registration. If verifying your own service, don’t forget to include proof of vessel ownership.

DOT/USCG periodic drug test. Applicants can submit drug test results signed by an approved medical review officer or submit proof of enrollment in a drug testing program. Common reasons the Coast Guard may not accept submissions are the wrong test was taken (only the five-panel DOT test is acceptable), the test receipt was submitted but not the signed results, or the drug test program does not meet Coast Guard requirements.

Physical examination. Before leaving the physician’s office, be sure that the physical form is completely filled out. Incomplete examination forms will be returned. Don’t forget to review and sign it.

Application CG-719B. Pay particular attention to the requirements. If a section is optional, the form will state that. All other sections must be completed. The most common missing information is next-of-kin information (name and address are required by law), your address, and signatures where required. Don’t forget that your credentials will be mailed to the address on your application. If you would like your credentials mailed to another address, include a signed request with your application.

Amplifying information from physician. If a potentially disqualifying medical condition exists, an applicant may be required to submit amplifying information to complete the medical evaluation.

About the author:
Tina Bassett graduated Officer Candidate School in 1990 and remains a LCDR in the Coast Guard Reserve. She has worked with Coast Guard marine safety for 15 years, including one year as Juneau REC chief, and holds a master's license and AB unlimited. She holds a BA in anthropology and an MS in quality systems management.

For more information:
For a complete, updated list of “Top 10 reasons why applications are delayed,” see http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/ttr.asp.