Eligibility for OICNW is defined in STCW Regulation II/3. This certification will be issued by the Administration as OICNW. Candidates for this examination must meet the following requirements.

To become approved for an examination, the candidate:

1. Must be not less than 18 years of age.
2. Must have attained qualifying sea service of not less than 36 months in the deck department of trading vessels in the capacity of Trainee Seafarer, Seafarer, Quartermaster, Boatswain, Cadet or any similar deck related capacity, two (2) years of which must have been as an Able Seafarer. Services performed in peripheral duties suck as Radio Officer, Purser Officer, Ship’s Clerk, Cook, Steward, Mess man, Cabin boy, etc. are not acceptable as part of qualifying service. The decision of the Administration as to qualifying sea time will be final.
3. Can, in lieu of two above, substitute education for sea time on a day for day basis up to 24 months as follows:

• Attendance to a Maritime Academy that prepares seafarers to become deck officers.
• The possession of a Bachelor of Science degree in Navigation, Marine Transportation or any other equivalent.
• Attendance at an approved Competency Course for Deck Officers.

4. Must provide evidence that he/she has met the requirements of STCW Regulation II/3 and the competencies listed in Table A-II/3.
5. Must provide evidence of completion of all necessary approved mandatory modular courses, which include:

• Basic Safety Training
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSCRB)
• Medical First Aid (MFA)
• Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)
• Radar Observer
• Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), for those who serve on ships fitted with ECDIS.
• Bridge Resource Management (BRM)
• Leadership and Teamwork training
• Appropriate Certificate for performing VHF Radiocommunications in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations
• Security Training
• Marine Environmental Awareness

6. Must demonstrate a good command of spoken and written English.
7. Must present a Medical Examination report from an approved medical examiner where the examination was performed within the two (2) years prior to the date of the application.
8. Must present an Employment Record Book (ERB) that has been validated by the national maritime administration that issued the book as proof of sea service.
9. Must present a valid passport as proof of identity and nationality.
10. Every candidate for certification as master on ships less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged on near- coastal voyages, while holding an PISR Certificate as OICNW, or a CoC issued by another administration with whom the Administration has an undertaking in equivalent grade a candidate for this examination must provide evidence of:

• At least one (1) year of service as OICNW; and
• All the required training for OICNW except for the Leadership and Teamwork training. In lieu of this Advanced Meteorology, Leadership and Managerial training is required.