A Guide to User Fees for Merchant Mariner Credentials
What are the MMC fees for?
The Coast Guard charges a Merchant Mariner Credential fee to the applicant. This covers the cost of them reviewing your application packet and issuing or renewing your MMC.
Mariners are encouraged to pay user fees online.
TIP: If paying via Pay.Gov, be sure to send in a copy of your payment receipt with your application packet.
I want to pay by check/money order and mail it to the National Maritime Center. To whom do I address the check?
If you wish to pay in an alternative method, please contact the National Maritime Center.
I am applying for a credential. How do I know what amount to pay?
General
When submitting your payment, you must ensure it is for the exact amount required.
Here is a breakdown of licensing costs for Mariners Learning System students:
| Type | Credential Category | Type of Endorsement | Examination/Testing Fees | Issuance Fees | Total** |
| Original | Officer Endorsements only | Original Officer Endorsement $100 | Varies* | Pay MMC issuance fee now $45 | $145 |
| Raise in Grade | Officer Endorsements only | Officer Raise of Grade $100 | Varies* | Pay MMC issuance fee now $45 | $145 |
| Modification | Officer Endorsements only | Officer Modification or removal of limitation or scope $50 | Varies* | Pay MMC issuance fee now $45 | $95 |
| Renewal | Officer Endorsements only | Officer Renewal $50 | Varies* | Pay MMC issuance fee now $45 | $95 |
| Duplicate | Duplicate MMC (my MMC was lost/stolen/destroyed) | Select one option from the drop-down menu | N/A | Pay MMC issuance fee now $45 | $45*** |
* There is no additional testing fees when you take your course through Mariners Learning System. You will select "Course in Lieu of Exam: $0.00." If you were to have tested with the USCG Regional Exam Center, there would have been an additional fee.
** The total can vary depending on what you select for "Examination/Testing Fees." Our total reflects the option of "Course in Lieu of Exam: $0.00" selected.
***No charge for Duplicate if loss is due to a marine casualty.
📑 Take a look over our guide on paying the application fee and 46 CFR 10.219 Table 1.
Submitting Original Application
Select the following categories for the User Fee Information section on pay.gov when paying for your original application:
* Course in Lieu of Exam is for successfully completing our course and passing our final proctored exam.
Submitting Master's Upgrade
Select the following categories for the User Fee Information section on pay.gov when paying for your OUPV/Six-Pack Upgrade to 25/50 or 100 Ton Masters application:
* Course in Lieu of Exam is for successfully completing our course and passing our final proctored exam.
Submitting Towing or Sailing Endorsement
Select the following categories for the User Fee Information section on pay.gov when paying for your addition of the Towing Endorsement and/or Sailing Endorsement application:
* Course in Lieu of Exam is for successfully completing our course and passing our final proctored exam.
Submitting Deck License Renewal
Select the following categories for the User Fee Information section on pay.gov when paying for your addition of the Deck License Renewal application:
* Course in Lieu of Exam is for successfully completing our course and passing our final proctored exam.
I am applying for more than one endorsement. Will I be required to pay for each?
Regardless of the number of endorsements requested, only one evaluation fee and one issuance fee will be required. The required evaluation fee is determined based on the cost of the highest endorsement you are requesting.
📑 Here is another good guide on guidance for determining the user’s fees.
It is asking me which Regional Exam Center I intend on sending my application packet to; which do I select?
The Coast Guard has centralized their application submission process. You can select any Regional Exam Center (REC) from the list, but you will be emailing your application to the National Maritime Center directly.