Get or revalidate a seafarer certificate of competency or proficiency (STCW)
Kenya Maritime Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Fill in KMA's form (FRM04 for a certificate of proficiency, FRM03 for a rating certificate) and send it to KMA with your passport or ID, a valid seafarer medical certificate, your training and sea-time proof. Masters and officers must revalidate their certificate at least every 5 years.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- Kenya Maritime Authority (Registrar of Seafarers), Bahari Towers, Mbaraki Road, Mombasa; forms by email to seafarers@kma.go.ke or post to P.O. Box 95076-80104 Mombasa
What you need
- Copy of your passport or national ID
- A valid seafarer's medical certificate
- Statement of Success from an approved maritime training institution
- Proof of relevant sea time, and one passport-size photo
- For a rating certificate: your discharge book (or certificates of discharge) and sea service testimonials
Steps
- Finish the approved course at an approved maritime training institution and get your Statement of Success.
- Get a medical examination from a KMA-approved seafarer medical practitioner (the list is on KMA's Seafarer's Hub) and have the certificate endorsed by KMA. Endorsement costs USD 5 and takes 1 day.
- Fill in FRM04 (certificate of proficiency) or FRM03 (rating certificate), electronically or by hand, and send it to KMA with your documents (seafarers@kma.go.ke, P.O. Box 95076-80104 Mombasa).
- Pay the fee only after you meet all the requirements.
- Masters and officers: revalidate your certificate at intervals of no more than 5 years, showing medical fitness and recent sea service or an approved test or course.
Watch out
- For a rating certificate, your 6 months of sea service must be within the last 5 years and in the right department (deck or engine).
- Apply to revalidate within 6 months before your certificate expires and the new validity runs from the old expiry date, so you lose nothing by applying early.
- Fake or false certificates get your application declined at once and can lead to legal action.
Who can apply
- Seafarers who already meet every requirement for the certificate they want. KMA asks you not to pay until you do.
- Revalidation: masters, officers and radio operators who are serving at sea or plan to return to sea.
Official sources (5)
- FRM04 - Application for STCW Certificate of Proficiency (Rev.08/26) kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- FRM03 - Application for Rating Certificate (STCW) (Rev.08/26) kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations, Legal Notice 41 of 2016 (Kenya Law revised edition) kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- KMA English Citizens' Service Delivery Charter, July 2026 kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Seafarer's Hub kma.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026