(a) General. A qualified member of the engine department is any person below officer and above the rating of coal passer or wiper, who holds an MMC or MMD endorsed as QMED by the Coast Guard.

(b) Categories. (1) Each QMED rating must be endorsed separately, unless the applicant qualifies for all QMED ratings, in which case the endorsement will read “QMED—any rating.” The ratings are—

(i) Fireman/Watertender;

(ii) Oiler;

(iii) Junior engineer;

(iv) Electrician/Refrigerating engineer; and

(v) Pumpman/Machinist.

(2) The Coast Guard will no longer issue original endorsements for deck engineer, deck/engine mechanic, or engineman, or individual endorsements for refrigerating engineer, machinist, electrician, and pumpman. However, a mariner who holds any of these endorsements may continue to renew them as long as he or she is otherwise qualified.

(3) If the holder of an endorsement as pumpman only or machinist only seeks the combined endorsement of pumpman/machinist, the mariner must pass the examination described in Table 1 to § 12.505(c) of this subpart.

(4) If the holder of an endorsement as electrician only or refrigerating engineer only seeks the combined endorsement of electrician/refrigerating engineer, the mariner must pass the examination described in Table 1 to § 12.505(c) of this subpart.

(c) Requirements for certification. To qualify for any endorsement as QMED, an applicant must—

(1) Be at least 18 years of age;

(2) Pass the prescribed physical and medical examination requirements specified in 46 CFR Part 10, subpart C;

(3) Present evidence of having passed a chemical test for dangerous drugs or of having qualified for an exemption from testing, as described in § 16.220 of this subchapter;

(4) Meet the sea service or training requirements in § 12.503 of this subpart;

(5) Pass an examination as QMED; and

(6) Speak and understand the English language as would be required in performing the general duties of QMED and during an emergency aboard ship.

(a) An applicant for an endorsement as QMED must provide the Coast Guard with proof of qualification based on 6 months of service in a rating at least equal to that of wiper or coal passer.

(b) Approved training programs may be substituted for the required periods of service as follows:

(1) A graduate of a school ship may qualify for a rating endorsement as QMED, without further service, upon satisfactory completion of the program of instruction. For this purpose, school ship is interpreted to mean an institution that offers a complete approved program of instruction, including a period of at-sea training, in the skills appropriate to the rating of QMED.

(2) Training programs, other than those classified as a school ship, may be substituted for up to one-half of the required service. The service/training ratio for each program is determined by the Coast Guard.

(a) Before an applicant is issued an endorsement as QMED in the rating of oiler, fireman/watertender, junior engineer, pumpman/machinist, or electrician/refrigerating engineer, he or she must prove, to the satisfaction of the Coast Guard, by oral or other means of examination, his or her knowledge of the subjects listed in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) The examination, whether administered orally or by other means, must be conducted only in the English language.

(c) Table 1 to § 12.505(c) provides a list of subjects required.