Certificate of competency

Before applying for a certificate with a requirement for seagoing service, you must record and document your seagoing service in our self-service or via our app.

Both places you can also request a digital seagoing service declaration (fartstidserklæring).

​Go to self-service

Accepted documentation is also a picture/copy of your discharge book.
In our app, My Maritime, you can quickly take a picture of your discharge book and upload it, when you complete your record.

The digital statement of seagoing service is the easiest and fastest way to collect a declaration from your employer.

You can find videoguide both in self-service and the app.

Here you can read more about seagoing service and find guides to how to record your seagoing service.

When you have passed your exam from one of our approved education and training institutions,
you must apply for a certificate here.

Here you can see which training programme is required for a specific certificate of competency and which certificate the training programme eventually can lead to.
Furthermore you can see the highest degree of the certificate, which can be obtained based on the completed training programme.

The first certificate of competency must be issued no later than 5 years after the diploma is issued, otherwise there might be additional requirements, i.e. validation of the exam. 

​Before a certificate of competency can be issued, the STCW Refresher requirements must be met. 

You will also be able to read about other refresher requirements.

You can have your certificate of competency renewed if you have completed at least 12 months' seagoing service during the last five years or three months' seagoing service during the last six months. It must, however, have been in a position where you can maintain your certificate.

When you need to have your certificate of competency renewed, you must be able to document completion of refresher course in basic maritime safety and fire-fighting with the STCW designations A-VI/1-1 and A-VI/1-2.

Seagoing service is required to have your certificate upgraded. The requirements for seagoing service vary according to the type of certificate.

The requirement for seagoing service is stipulated in the order on certificates of competency.

When you need to have your certificate of competency upgraded, you must be able to document completion of refresher course in basic maritime safety and fire-fighting with the STCW designations A-VI/1-1 and A-VI/1-2.

If you serve exclusively as an engineer, you will not be able to maintain the navigator part of your dual certificate.

You must hold a valid GMDSS radio certificate in order to be issued with a certificate of competency as a navigating officer in merchant ships. 

Read more about radio certificates here.

A seafarer can acquire a certificate of competency as a ship's cook when he/she has completed training as a gastronome, cook specialization, and either

• have completed training as a ship's cook or
• meet the requirements for a basic course in maritime safety, etc. on personal life-saving techniques, basic first aid, personal safety and care for human lives and the environment AND have completed 12 months' seagoing service in the galley.

Furthermore it is required to hold a medical certificate for seafarers and fishermen valid for service as a ship's cook.

A certificate of competency as ship's cook does not have an expiry date.

You must apply for a certificate of competency as a yachtsman, 1st class or 3rd class, or for a certificate of proficiency in sailing for yachtsmen. Certificates of competency are applicable for recreational crafts with a hull length between 15 and 24 metres.

In order to apply, you must have passed a yacht master exam or a test for a certificate of proficiency for yachtsmen.

In addition, you must be subject to a sight and hearing test for yachtsmen with a maritime doctor or an eye specialist. You yourself must pay for the examination.

Sight and hearing test certificate for yachtsmen

If you want a license as a powerboat or personal watercraft operator in the form of a plastic card, applicable for recreational crafts with a hull length below 15 metres, please read more on the issue of certificates  page.

In order to be issued with a certificate of competency, you must hold a valid medical certificate, declaring that you are fit for ship service.

Navigating officers must be fit for lookout duty.

Medical certificates are accepted from countries that has implemented the STCW convention and ratified the MLC.

If you do not meet the requirements to renew or if your certificate has expired, you must re-acquisition your certificate.​

The Danish Maritime Authority does not keep copies of diplomas.

If you have lost your diploma, you must start by contacting the school/institution where you took your education.

Often the school/institution itself stores material regarding exam and can help you.

However, most maritime diplomas before 2004 are stored at the National Archives.

See the following guide on the National Archives' website to recreate your diploma if it has been lost:

Rigsarkivet: Order copy of diploma

Our average case processing time is currently 5 working days, however, you should always apply well in advance.

After applying, you will receive an e-mail with a receipt for your payment and a separate e-mail with confirmation of receipt of your application and your case number.

If you have any questions or need to forward additional documentation, you can reply to the e-mail you have received stating your case number.

At any time, you can follow the status of your application in self-service or app.