It appears that the NMC has returned to work despite the ongoing DHS shutdown. What that means:
NMC is evaluating applications on a first come, first serve basis using the Application Submission Portal (ASAP).
The REC will contact mariners with appointments between Feb 17 and April 18 to reschedule their exams.
Approval to Test Letters that expire between Feb and May 2026 are extended through Aug 2026 — with no updates showing extensions.
In-process examinations: If you didn’t complete all modules, you may restart testing without penalty, but it must be completed within 60 days of the NMC’s reopening.
Retesting: The 90-day period was paused as of Feb 13th but will restart on reopening.
National Defense credentialing issues: Employers should reach out to the NMC Customer Service Center.
COAST GUARD UPDATE ON NMC EFFORTS TO MITIGATE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
The National Maritime Center and all regional examination centers remain closed.
Customer walk-in service at the RECs is suspended. Examinations and other REC appointments are cancelled.
To mitigate the impact of the government shutdown, NMC says that it has implemented the following measures:
— email submission of applications and supporting documentation remains active and processing will resume once appropriations are restored;
— additional information letters sent to mariners, training providers, designated examiners, and qualified assessors that expire on or after Oct. 1, 2025, will be extended from the date funding is restored for a period equal to the duration of the shutdown;
— approval to test letters, drug test letters, and mariner training course certificates that expire on or after Oct. 1 will be extended from the date funding is restored for a period equal to the duration of the shutdown.
Mariner Examinations
Mariners who began but did not complete all modules of an examination prior to Oct. 1 may resume testing without penalty once the NMC reopens.
Testing should be completed within 60 days of reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
Ninety-day retest periods are paused beginning on Oct. 1 and will restart upon reopening. Contact the NMC regarding waivers due to sea service.
For updates on NMC and REC operating status, the agency asks that you monitor the NMC website.
For questions, contact the Customer Service Center via the NMC online chat system, by emailing , or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).
LAPWARE remains online to support the training needs of mariners, shutdown or not.
LAPWARE has the 2025 sample NMC Exam Modules on our site. Subscribers can download them and the 2024 sample exams after logging in from the Student Resources pages.
LAPWARE recommends that each subscriber review each sample for the tests they’ll take for the latest information. LAPWARE will be integrating this new information into our proprietary software as soon as possible, but this provides new insights on what the USCG is expecting.
It’s another example of LAPWARE being the premier provider of mariner credentials preparation material and building on over 20 years of excellence.