US Code

Public Law 119-102 (07/12/2026) , except 119-101

46 U.S.C. § 7508

Authority to extend the duration of medical certificates

Section text and notes

(a)

Granting of Extensions .—

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may extend for not more than one year a medical certificate issued to an individual holding a license, merchant mariner’s document, or certificate of registry issued under chapter 71 or 73 if the Secretary determines that the extension is required to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in processing applications for medical certificates or is in response to a national emergency or natural disaster.
(b)

Manner of Extension .—

An extension under this section may be granted to an individual or a specifically identified group of individuals.

Pub. L. 112–213, title III, § 306(a)126 Stat. 1565 Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV134 Stat. 4751 (Added , , ; amended [LXXXV], § 8505(b)(6), , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–2832021—Subsec. (b). substituted “an individual or a specifically identified group of individuals” for “individual seamen or a specifically identified group of seamen”.