Paying MMC Issuance Fees for Your Maritime Credentials

Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) fees are paid through Pay.gov and cover the Coast Guard’s costs for evaluating and issuing your credential. A typical original officer application costs $145 ($100 evaluation + $45 issuance), and a renewal costs $95 ($50 evaluation + $45 issuance), per 46 CFR 10.219.

Paying the Coast Guard isn’t the hardest part of getting your captain’s license, but it’s one of the easiest places to slow yourself down. Pay the wrong amount, use the wrong payment method, or forget to attach your receipt, and your application sits.

As of January 19, 2025, the NMC and Regional Exam Centers (RECs) accept fee payments exclusively through Pay.gov. No checks, no money orders, no in-person credit cards. Here’s how to get it right.

What Are MMC Fees?

MMC fees are the Coast Guard’s user fees for processing your application and issuing your credential. Every MMC transaction, whether it’s your original license, a renewal, an upgrade, or a duplicate, includes an evaluation fee and an issuance fee.

MMC fees are set by federal regulation under 46 CFR 10.219, and payment must be made through Pay.gov for the exact amount required. These fees are separate from your course tuition, your drug test, your physical exam, and your Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card.

MMC Fee Breakdown for Mariners Learning System Students

Here’s what you’ll pay when you complete your course through Mariners Learning System. The “Course in Lieu of Exam” option on Pay.gov means you took a USCG-approved course and passed its final proctored exam, so the Coast Guard’s separate exam fee doesn’t apply.

For Mariners Learning System students, the total for an original OUPV/Six-Pack or Master captain’s license application is $145, because the exam is included in your course at no extra charge. If you had tested at a USCG Regional Exam Center instead, the examination fee on Pay.gov would have been additional. No charge for a duplicate if the loss is due to a marine casualty.

Do I pay separately for each endorsement?

No. If you’re applying for more than one endorsement on a single application, you pay only one evaluation fee and one issuance fee.

The evaluation fee is based on the highest endorsement you’re requesting. The Coast Guard explains this in their fees FAQ.

How to Pay on Pay.gov

All MMC fee payments go through the USCG Merchant Mariner User Fee Payment Page on Pay.gov. Pay.gov is a secure service operated by the United States Department of the Treasury. Accepted payment methods include credit cards, debit cards, and bank account routing numbers.

Step by step for an original application:

1. Go to the Pay.gov payment page linked above.
2. Click “Continue to the Form.”
3. Select “Officer Endorsements Only” for Credential Category.
4. Select “Original Officer Endorsement” for Type of Endorsement.
5. For Examination/Testing Fees, select “Course in Lieu of Exam: $0.00.”
6. Pay the evaluation fee ($100) and issuance fee ($45).
7. Print or save your receipt immediately.

After paying, print your receipt and attach it to your application packet before submitting to the NMC. The NMC can’t process your application without proof of payment.

What if I’m upgrading from OUPV to Master?

Select “Officer Endorsements Only” for Credential Category, then “Officer Raise of Grade” for Type of Endorsement. Select “Course in Lieu of Exam: $0.00” for the testing fee. The total is the same as an original: $145.

Pay.gov Selections by Application Type

The dropdown menus on Pay.gov can be confusing. Here’s exactly what to select for the most common Mariners Learning System transactions.

For the Deck License Renewal, leave the Examination/Testing Fees field blank if you met the sea service requirement and didn’t need to take the renewal course.

Common Payment Mistakes

The biggest payment change in recent years took effect January 19, 2025: Pay.gov is now the only accepted method. The NMC and RECs no longer accept cash, checks, money orders, or in-person credit card payments. Any payment submitted through another method will be returned, and you’ll have to repay through Pay.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are MMC fees refundable?

Fees are generally not refunded once paid, so make sure your application is complete and accurate before submitting payment. Contact the NMC at 1-888-427-5662 if you have questions about a specific payment.

Is there a fee for a medical certificate?

No. If you’re applying for a medical certificate only (submitting CG-719K or CG-719K/E without a CG-719B application), there’s no fee. Normal MMC fees apply to all other transactions.

Do military service members pay MMC fees?

Active-duty members of the uniformed services and Selected Reserve members are exempt from evaluation, examination, and issuance fees under 46 CFR 10.219(m).

Pay Correctly, Move Forward

MMC fees are fixed, predictable, and clearly defined. The fee schedule hasn’t changed frequently, but the payment method has, so confirm you’re using Pay.gov and attaching the receipt to your application packet. Double-check the amount against the table above, save your confirmation, and move on to the next step.

If you have questions about MMC fees or any other part of the application process, the team at Mariners Learning System is here to help. We’ve guided more than 200,000 students through this process, and we’re not going to let paperwork be the reason you don’t get your license.

Sources

• 46 CFR 10.219, Fees: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-10/subpart-B/section-10.219
• NMC Fees FAQ (PDF): https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/faq/fees_faq.pdf
• NMC Fees Page: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/nmc/fees/
• Pay.gov USCG Merchant Mariner Payment: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/4795779
• MarinerCredentials.com MMC Services and Pricing: https://www.marinercredentials.com/services/
• MM-SEAS MMC Cost Guide: https://www.mmseas.com/post/how-much-does-an-mmc-cost

Disclaimer

Coast Guard fees and payment processes can change. This guide reflects current USCG guidance as of June 2026. Always confirm current fee amounts at dco.uscg.mil/nmc/fees/ and verify the Pay.gov payment page before submitting. For questions, contact the NMC customer service center at 1-888-427-5662.