10.209—General application procedures.
(a)
The applicant for an MMC, whether original, renewal, duplicate, raise of grade, or a new endorsement on a previously issued MMC, must establish to the Coast Guard that he or she satisfies all the requirements for the MMC and endorsement(s) sought before the Coast Guard will issue the MMC. This section contains the general requirements for all applicants. Additional requirements for duplicates, renewals, new endorsements, and raises of grade appear later in this part.
(b)
The Coast Guard may refuse to process an incomplete MMC application. The requirements for a complete application for an original MMC are contained in § 10.225, the requirements for a renewal MMC application are in § 10.227, the requirements for a duplicate MMC application are contained in § 10.229, and the requirements for an application for a new endorsement or raise of grade are contained in § 10.231.
(c)
Applications are valid for 12 months from the date that the Coast Guard approves the application.
(d)
The portions of the application that may be submitted by mail, fax, or other electronic means may include:
(1)
The application, consent for NDR check, and notarized oath on Coast Guard-furnished forms, and the evaluation fee required by § 10.219 of this part ;
(2)
The applicant's continuous discharge book, certificate of identification, MMD, MMC, license, STCW endorsement, COR, or, if it has not expired, a photocopy of the credential, including the back and all attachments;
(3)
Proof, documented on a form provided by the Coast Guard, that the applicant passed the applicable vision, hearing, medical or physical exam as required by § 10.215 of this part ;
(4)
If the applicant desires a credential with a radar-observer endorsement in accordance with § 11.480 of this chapter, either the radar-observer certificate or a certified copy;
(6)
For an endorsement as a medical doctor or professional nurse as required in § 11.807, evidence that the applicant holds a currently valid, appropriate license as physician, surgeon, or registered nurse, issued under the authority of a state or territory of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. Any MMC issued will retain any limitation associated with the medical license;
(7)
Any certificates or other supplementary materials required to show that the mariner meets the mandatory requirements for the specific endorsement sought, as established in parts 11, 12 or 13 of this chapter; and
(e)
The following requirements must be satisfied before an original or renewal MMC, or new endorsement or a raise of grade added to a previously issued MMC, will be issued. These materials will be added to the individual's record by the Coast Guard:
(1) Determination of safety and suitability.
No MMC will be issued as an original or reissued with a new expiration date, and no new officer endorsement will be issued if the applicant fails the criminal record review as set forth in § 10.211 of this part ;
(2) NDR review.
No MMC will be issued as an original or reissued with a new expiration date, and no new officer endorsement will be issued until the applicant has passed an NDR review as set forth in § 10.213 of this part; and
(3) Information supplied by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
(i)
Beginning on April 15, 2009, no MMC or endorsement will be issued until the Coast Guard receives the following information from the applicant's TWIC application: the applicant's fingerprints, FBI number and criminal record (if applicable), photograph, proof of United States citizenship, or Nationality with proof of legal resident status (if applicable). If the information is not available from TSA, the mariner may be required to visit a Regional Exam Center to provide this information.
(ii)
Until April 15, 2009, no application for an MMC or endorsement will be considered complete until the applicant appears at a Regional Exam Center to provide the following information: the applicant's fingerprints, photograph, proof of United States citizenship, or Nationality with proof of legal resident status (if applicable).
(f)
Upon determining that the applicant satisfactorily meets all requirements for an MMC or an endorsement thereon, the Coast Guard will issue the properly endorsed MMC to the applicant. Beginning April 15, 2009, the Coast Guard will not issue an MMC until it has received proof that the mariner holds a valid TWIC.
(g)
When a new MMC is issued, the mariner must return the previously issued MMC, license, MMD, COR, or STCW endorsement to the Coast Guard, unless the new MMC is being issued to replace a lost or stolen credential. Upon written request at the time of application, the cancelled, previously issued credential(s) will be returned to the applicant.
(h)
Unless otherwise stated in this Part, an applicant who fails a chemical test for dangerous drugs will not be issued an MMC.