Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 7508

Authority to extend the duration of medical certificates

(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”.