Credential Return Time

**PaddyWest2012** · January 24th, 2013, 02:01 PM

Hey Guys,
I was just wondering, what have people been experiencing lately with the NMC for a general turn-around period on credentials/upgrades, etc.? I'm not really in a hurry at the moment I'm just sort of curious about when I might expect to hear something from the good old USCG. I put in for an upgrade and a new endorsement about 3 weeks or a month ago roughly. According to the "homeport" website, where you can track your application progress, they only just got my application into their system yesterday. I'm sure I won't have my hands on the goods for many more weeks to come but I wanted to see what you fine gentlemen have been getting from them recently.

- PaddyWest

**brjones** · January 24th, 2013, 02:20 PM

I just upgraded my license. Emailed all docs on Dec 12 and had license in hand around the 15th of Jan. it took 3 weeks for the REC to forward my stuff to NMC. Straightforward upgrade and no testing.

**brjones** · January 24th, 2013, 02:24 PM

Just checked and it was the 12th I got my license. So it took a month including the 3 week wait for the REC. hope that gives an idea. Also I was told that the REC'a were backed up, but the NMC pushed it right through

**PaddyWest2012** · January 24th, 2013, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by brjones

Just checked and it was the 12th I got my license. So it took a month including the 3 week wait for the REC. hope that gives an idea. Also I was told that the REC'a were backed up, but the NMC pushed it right through

Good to know, thanks for filling me in. Since the REC just got mine yesterday I guess I'm looking at about a month or so from now till I have it in hand. I also heard myself that processing-wise they have been pretty backed up lately so I won't be holding my breath for results any time soon.

**New3M** · January 25th, 2013, 07:46 AM

3 weeks to get from the REC to the NMC?? Where did you send it? I sent my packet to Boston on the 16th and it's already through Medical at the NMC as of today. A woman at the NMC told me that New Orleans and Miami had a big backlog though.

**brjones** · January 25th, 2013, 08:21 AM

Oakland, CA

**BargeMonkey** · January 25th, 2013, 02:59 PM

Its taking 3-4 weeks with no issues for approvals and upgrades. Just jumped thru the hoops again up to Boston.

**kfj** · January 25th, 2013, 07:30 PM

I'm at 2 and a half weeks and REC Charleston hasn't sent mine to the NMC.

**PaddyWest2012** · February 4th, 2013, 07:20 AM

I don't know who that guy is that went from REC Boston to the NMC in 9 days but I'd like to be him right now. My application has been languishing in Boston since the 23rd, and that was around 3 weeks or a month after I sent it in. Not the longest wait by any means, but I wish they'd get off their hind quarters.

**kfj** · February 4th, 2013, 07:37 AM

When I spoke to NMC last week they said a few REC are a week or two behind due to some internal changes

**PaddyWest2012** · February 4th, 2013, 08:47 AM

Just received an email from the USCG a few moments ago saying that my application has been forwarded from REC Boston to the NMC! Saddle up boys, we're on the move!

**New3M** · February 4th, 2013, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by PaddyWest2012

I don't know who that guy is that went from REC Boston to the NMC in 9 days but I'd like to be him right now. My application has been languishing in Boston since the 23rd, and that was around 3 weeks or a month after I sent it in. Not the longest wait by any means, but I wish they'd get off their hind quarters.

That's me, but don't feel bad. The NMC is claiming that my certificates for STAR Center aren't good enough so I'm in a big run around with my evaluator. Apparently this isn't the first time this person doesn't like STAR Center certificates.

**dredgeboater** · February 4th, 2013, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by New3M

That's me, but don't feel bad. The NMC is claiming that my certificates for STAR Center aren't good enough so I'm in a big run around with my evaluator. Apparently this isn't the first time this person doesn't like STAR Center certificates.

What is their problem with the certificates?

**New3M** · February 5th, 2013, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by dredgeboater

What is their problem with the certificates?

The certificates say right on them that if you present the certificate you don't need the assessment sheets signed. I took these classes 2 years ago. Apparently my evaluator thinks that I do need the assessment sheets signed off. I had to get the STAR Center to email the approval letters to the NMC to prove her wrong. That was Thursday...still waiting on any kind of news because apparently it takes a week to get an email read in that place.

I also can't figure out how she got 3 copies of one of my assessments and none of another, when it was all in one file, very nicely scanned one after the other...all somebody had to do was hit Print. Rocket scientists work there I swear.......

**brjones** · February 5th, 2013, 10:45 AM

A couple of years ago I was upgrading and trying to add tankerman engineer to my credentials. Company I was working for at the time required it for 1st and Chengs. I already had the tankerman asst but wanted the engineer. So I sent in all the paperwork including the certificate of the DL class I took. Well the NMC evaluator would not accept it and also said If I could not produce a letter of 2 loads and discharges they would remove my asst as well. The certificate I had did not have the proper cfr for engineer written on it. After spending a month fighting with them about it, I found a class and retook the DL class. 5 days later I had the same certificate only this time it had all the cfr's written on it. NMC accepted it and I was on my way. It was quicker for me to retake the class then the corresponceing with the NMC. Luckily I was reimbursed for my class and hotel for the week. So this last time I upgraded I wanted PIC added and produced a letter from my last mate on the loads and discharges and the NMC accepted it no problems. I guess each evaluator is different

**txh2oman** · February 14th, 2013, 08:24 AM

Emailed my Radar (original) certificate and app to the Houston REC Jan. 30, they forwarded to NMC Feb. 8, NMC mailed the new document today. So ... two weeks, with the New Year's holiday in there. Don't really see the need for the REC step, since all they do is forward the email, apparently. But, whatever.

**catherder** · February 14th, 2013, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by txh2oman

Emailed my Radar (original) certificate and app to the Houston REC Jan. 30, they forwarded to NMC Feb. 8, NMC mailed the new document today. So ... two weeks, with the New Year's holiday in there. Don't really see the need for the REC step, since all they do is forward the email, apparently. But, whatever.

I am sending off my certificates for BST and RFPEW with my app. Do I need another oath as well? Anyone know?

**brjones** · February 14th, 2013, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by txh2oman

. Don't really see the need for the REC step, since all they do is forward the email, apparently. But, whatever.

I agree. When I asked why mine was taking so long at the REC I was told it was on the desk waiting to be checked for accuracy before forwarded. Huh? My previous upgrade they forwarded it, and the NMC found that the sea time was short (I actually forgot a discharge) you would think something like that would have been found if someone were checking it

**txh2oman** · February 14th, 2013, 04:30 PM

Catherder - probably not; check the application form, I believe that is marked "original only."

**catherder** · February 14th, 2013, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by txh2oman

Catherder - probably not; check the application form, I believe that is marked "original only."

Thanks, yeah, I called Fred at MAMA and he got me straight. I sent the certificates and application into Baltimore this evening. My original MMD process was pretty quick actually- hope I am not waiting too long for my STCW page.