Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) operates one of the world’s largest open ship registries, with more than 5,000 vessels under its flag. Marshall Islands (MH) certification is widely accepted by international shipping companies, port state control authorities, and crewing agencies, making it a practical route for deck and engine officers seeking global maritime employment.
This page explains which STCW certifications MH accepts, where to complete the required training, and how to apply for an MH endorsement through the RMI Maritime Administrator (IRI).
Quick facts
- Flag state: Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)
- Capital: Majuro
- Maritime authority: RMI Maritime Administrator — administered by International Registries, Inc. (IRI)
- Open registry: Yes — one of the largest globally (~5,000+ vessels)
- STCW adoption: Full — MH is on the IMO white list
- Endorsement processing time: Typically 4–8 weeks
- Endorsement validity: 5 years (STCW standard)
- Accepted training providers: Marine Pro Academy (MPA) for online modules; VMA NOT accepted for MH-flagged vessels
Do I need certification in Marshall Islands?
If you work or plan to work on a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel — whether as a master, officer, engineer, or rating — you need an MH endorsement of your STCW certificates. The endorsement verifies to port state control, charterers, and crewing agencies that your training and sea service meet the standards required by the RMI Maritime Administrator.
Marshall Islands certification is also useful for seafarers seeking employment on other open-registry fleets (Panama, Liberia, Bahamas), since the underlying STCW training is internationally portable. Many multinational crewing agencies recruit officers specifically for MH-flagged vessels because the registry offers flexible manning rules and broad international acceptance.
What certification do I need by position?
MH accepts STCW certificates issued by other white-listed administrations through an endorsement process. The table below summarises the STCW certification requirements by rank:
| Position | STCW reference | Training focus |
|---|---|---|
| Master / Chief Mate | II/2 + II/3 | Deck officer — large vessel command and navigation |
| Officer in Charge of a Watch (OOW) | II/1 | Deck officer — bridge watchkeeping |
| Chief Engineer / Second Engineer | III/2 + III/3 | Engineer officer — large vessel propulsion |
| Engineer OOW | III/1 | Engineer officer — engine room watchkeeping |
| Able Seafarer (Deck) | II/5 | Deck rating — operational seamanship |
| Able Seafarer (Engine) | III/4 | Engine rating — engine room operations |
| Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch | II/4 | Deck rating — bridge watch support |
| Rating Forming Part of an Engine Room Watch | III/5 | Engine rating — engine room watch support |
| Bosun | II/5 + relevant certs | Senior deck rating — cargo operations and crew supervision |
| Cook / Catering | A-III/5 (basic), A-III/6-7 (advanced) | Ship’s cook and catering roles |
Deck officers (Master, Chief Mate, OOW)
Master, Chief Mate, and Officer in Charge of a Watch (OOW) are the senior deck officers on MH-flagged vessels. The MH endorsement recognises STCW II/2 (Master and Chief Mate on 500 GT and above) and II/1 (OOW) certificates issued by your home maritime administration, without requiring re-examination.
MH follows IMO STCW Regulation I/10 (Recognition of Certificates) and accepts endorsements from any administration on the IMO white list, including the UK MCA, Transport Canada, AMSA, USCG, and most major maritime nations. Senior command roles (Master unlimited) typically require 36+ months of approved sea service at OOW or Chief Mate level, a management-level CoC, and — if English is not your first language — a Marlins English test or equivalent.
| Position | STCW reference | Minimum sea service | Typical MH endorsement timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master (unlimited, 500 GT+) | II/2 | 36 months as OOW or Chief Mate | 4–8 weeks |
| Chief Mate | II/2 | 12 months as OOW (II/1) | 4–6 weeks |
| Officer in Charge of a Watch (OOW) | II/1 | 36 months as Officer-in-Training or AB | 3–5 weeks |
Engine officers (Chief Engineer, 2nd Engineer, EOOW)
Chief Engineer, Second Engineer, and Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) are the senior engine room positions on MH-flagged vessels. The MH endorsement recognises STCW III/2 (Chief/Second Engineer on 750 kW and above propulsion power) and III/1 (Engineer OOW) certificates, following the same I/10 recognition process as deck officers.
MH accepts STCW endorsements from any IMO white-list administration. The endorsement is processed via the International Registries, Inc. (IRI) office in Reston, Virginia, working with the Liberian Maritime Authority’s RECO programme, which administers MH certification under an IMO-authorised arrangement.
| Position | STCW reference | Minimum sea service | Typical MH endorsement timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Engineer (unlimited, 750 kW+) | III/2 | 36 months as 2nd Engineer or EOOW | 4–8 weeks |
| Second Engineer (2nd Engineer) | III/2 or III/3 | 12 months as EOOW | 4–6 weeks |
| Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) | III/1 | 36 months as Engine-room Rating | 3–5 weeks |
Ratings (AB, Oiler, watchkeeping ratings)
Able Seafarer (AB) Deck and AB Engine are the qualified ratings positions on MH-flagged vessels. Oiler, Motorman, and Engine-room Rating support the EOOW in engine-room watchkeeping duties. All require STCW Basic Safety Training and an MH endorsement of the home-state certificate.
Ratings typically need 12+ months of approved sea service in a related capacity plus STCW Basic Safety Training (or Refresher if renewing). MH follows STCW II/5 (AB Deck), III/4 (AB Engine), III/5 (Engine-room Watch Rating), and II/4 (Navigation Watch Rating) for the qualifications.
| Position | STCW reference | Minimum qualifications | Typical MH endorsement timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Able Seafarer Deck (AB) | II/5 | STCW Basic Safety + 12 months sea service | 2–4 weeks |
| Able Seafarer Engine (AB Engine) | III/4 | STCW Basic Safety + 12 months engine-room service | 2–4 weeks |
| Oiler / Motorman | III/4 or III/5 | STCW Basic Safety + watchkeeping certificate | 2–4 weeks |
| Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch | II/4 | STCW Basic Safety + bridge watchkeeping | 2–4 weeks |
| Rating Forming Part of an Engine Room Watch | III/5 | STCW Basic Safety + engine-room watch | 2–4 weeks |
Additional endorsements for specialised roles
- Tanker (oil/chemical): STCW A-V/1-1 (basic) or A-V/1-2 (advanced)
- Tanker (LNG/LPG): STCW A-V/1-3 (basic) or A-V/1-4 (advanced)
- Passenger ships: STCW A-V/2 (Crowd Management, Crisis Management)
- High-speed craft: STCW A-V/3
- Polar Code vessels: STCW A-V/4 (basic or advanced)
- Ship Security: STCW A-VI/6 (Security Awareness for all seafarers, A-VI/5 for SSO/CSO)
Where to get the training
MH accepts online STCW training modules from approved providers recognised by the IMO white list. The primary training partner for MH-endorsed seafarers is Marine Pro Academy (MPA), which offers the full STCW Basic Safety Training Bundle plus specialist courses accepted by the RMI Maritime Administrator.
Marine Pro Academy (MPA) — recommended provider
MPA STCW Basic Safety Training Bundle covers the four mandatory modules (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR) required for entry-level maritime roles. MPA courses are accepted by MH for PSSR and other theoretical components of STCW certification.
Additional MPA courses relevant for MH certification:
- Elementary First Aid at Sea (EFA) — STCW A-VI/1-3, mandatory for all seafarers
- Medical First Aid (MFA) — STCW A-VI/4-1, for designated first-aiders
- Watchkeeping Deck (Bridge) — STCW II/1, for OOW certification
- Watchkeeping Engine — STCW III/1, for engineer OOW
MPA also offers flag-state-specific training courses in partnership with maritime academies in the Pacific region (Kiribati Institute of Technology, Marshall Islands Maritime Academy).
Other training providers
- Marshall Islands Maritime Academy (MIMA): In-person practical training for MH-flagged seafarers
- Regional maritime schools: Kiribati Institute of Technology, Pacific Maritime Academy, Fiji National University Maritime Studies
- UK MCA-approved providers: For officers transitioning from UK CoC to MH endorsement
VMA (Virtual Maritime Academy) — NOT accepted by Marshall Islands
MH does NOT recognise online theoretical courses from Virtual Maritime Academy for STCW certification purposes. While VMA offers Transport Canada-recognised courses, these are not portable to MH-flagged vessels. Seafarers pursuing MH certification should use MPA or other IMO white-listed providers for online training components.
How to apply for MH certification
For broader context, compare Marshall Islands certification requirements with other flag states, and review your flag state options before applying.
The RMI Maritime Administrator (administered by International Registries, Inc. — IRI) handles all seafarer certification and endorsement applications. The process takes 4–8 weeks from submission to certificate issuance, provided all documents are in order.
Application steps
- Complete STCW training: Through MPA or another white-listed provider for the relevant modules
- Obtain medical certificate: ENG1 (UK-style) or equivalent per flag state requirements
- Gather sea service evidence: Discharge book entries or seaman’s book records
- Submit application to IRI: Online via the RMI Maritime Administrator portal or through an authorised agent
- Pay endorsement fee: Variable — check the current IRI fee schedule
- Receive MH endorsement: Issued by RMI Maritime Administrator, valid for 5 years
Documents required
- Original STCW certificates (BST + role-specific)
- Valid passport or national ID
- Medical certificate (ENG1 or equivalent)
- Proof of sea service (discharge book / seaman’s book)
- Passport-size photographs
- Application fee (see current IRI schedule)
Fees and international payments
Other requirements
Medical certificate
MH accepts ENG1 (UK MCA) or flag-state equivalents for seafarer medical certification. The medical examination covers fitness for duty at sea, including vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and psychological suitability. ENG1 is typically valid for 2 years.
Ship security awareness
All seafarers serving on MH-flagged vessels require STCW A-VI/6 Security Awareness training. Officers with designated security duties require STCW A-VI/5 (Ship Security Officer). These modules can be completed online through MPA.
MLC 2006 implementation
The Marshall Islands ratified MLC 2006 and enforces the convention’s provisions on seafarer working conditions, accommodation, food and catering, health protection, medical care, and social security. MH-flagged vessels are subject to MLC inspections by port state control.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a Marshall Islands endorsement?
Complete the STCW training modules required for your rank through an approved provider (MPA recommended), obtain an ENG1 medical certificate, gather your sea service records, and submit an application to the RMI Maritime Administrator (IRI). Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.
Does Marshall Islands accept VMA?
No. MH does not recognise online theoretical courses from Virtual Maritime Academy for STCW certification. Seafarers pursuing MH certification should use MPA or other IMO white-listed providers for online training components.
What is the fee for MH endorsement?
Endorsement fees vary by rank and certificate type. Check the current IRI fee schedule at the RMI Maritime Administrator portal. Fees are payable in USD.
How long does MH endorsement take?
Typically 4–8 weeks from complete application submission. Delays can occur if documents require verification with the issuing authority, or if additional assessments are requested.
Can I work on MH-flagged vessels without certification?
No. All officers and ratings on MH-flagged vessels must hold valid STCW certificates and an MH endorsement. Working without proper certification is a violation of RMI Maritime regulations and STCW Convention requirements.
Is Marshall Islands part of the IMO white list?
Yes. MH is fully compliant with STCW Convention requirements and is included on the IMO white list of flag states whose certificates are accepted internationally.
What’s the difference between MH, Panama, and Liberia?
All three are large open registries with similar international acceptance. MH and Liberia have larger commercial fleets, while Panama operates the largest registry by vessel count. Fees, processing times, and crewing requirements vary slightly — see the comparison on Choosing a Flag State.
Related certification guides
For more context on the certifications mentioned on this page:
- STCW Basic Safety Training — the mandatory 4-module bundle
- ENG1 Medical Certificate — UK MCA seafarer medical examination
- CoC vs STCW endorsement — how flag state endorsements work
Related flag states
Compare your pathway with other major maritime flag states:
Common questions about certification, training, and endorsement pathways for seafarers on the Marshall Islands maritime register.
- Do I need Marshall Islands certification to work on a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel?
- Yes. The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator, IRI, requires an RMI Certificate of Competency or endorsement for officers serving on RMI-flagged commercial vessels subject to STCW.
- How long does RMI certification take?
- Typical processing is 3 to 5 working days for standard endorsements, one of the fastest turnarounds among major open registries.
- What is the difference between RMI and STCW certification?
- STCW is the IMO international standard; IRI administers RMI-specific certification under that framework. RMI certification adds RMI maritime law, the IRI endorsement pathway, and the RMI Seafarer's Identity Document.
- How much does RMI certification cost?
- IRI fees are published in their fee schedule. Costs include application fees, endorsement fees, and any required training. Budget from low-hundreds to low-thousands USD depending on rank.
- What medical certificate do I need for RMI certification?
- A valid ENG1 or PEME accepted by IRI. The medical certificate must be current.
- Can I use my STCW from another country in the Marshall Islands?
- Yes, via the IRI endorsement pathway. Officers holding CoCs from countries whose STCW certifications RMI recognises can apply for an RMI endorsement without repeating all STCW courses.