46 USC 7511 - Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 19, 2026

§ 7511.

Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial

(a)

Sexual Abuse.—

A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued under this part shall be denied to an individual who has been convicted of a sexual offense prohibited under—

(1)

chapter 109A of title 18, except for subsection (b) of section 2244 of title 18;

(2)

section 920 or 920b of title 10 (article 120 and 120b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice); or

(3)

a substantially similar offense under Federal, State, local, or Tribal law.

(b)

Abusive Sexual Contact.—

A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued under this part may be denied to an individual who within 5 years before applying for the license, certificate, or document, has been convicted of a sexual offense prohibited under subsection (b) of section 2244 of title 18, or a substantially similar offense under State, local, or Tribal law.

(Added Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVI, § 11602(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4147; amended Pub. L. 119–60, div. G, title LXXIII, § 7301(g)(3), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1756.)

cite as: 46 USC 7511