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Verify an AMSA STCW certificate

Find out how to check whether an AMSA STCW certificate of competency, certificate of proficiency or Certificate of Safety Training is valid and current.

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About certificate verification

Employers, vessel operators, shipping companies and maritime administrations can verify certificates issued by AMSA under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

The verification process depends on the type of certificate you need to verify.

Verifying a near coastal certificate?
You cannot use these services to verify AMSA near coastal (domestic) certificate.

Verify a physical STCW certificate

Use AMSA Online Services - Certificate Authentic Check to verify a physical:

  • certificate of proficiency, including certificates for ratings and marine cook
  • certificate of competency
  • Certificate of Safety Training issued as a plastic card

You must register before you can use the Certificate Authenticity Check.

After AMSA approves your registration, we will send you a password. Keep this password secure.

Sign in to AMSA Online Services

What you need

You will need:

  • your verification password
  • the certificate number
  • the Seafarer ID shown on the certificate.

The certificate number and Seafarer ID are located:

  • inside the front cover of a passport-style certificate
  • on the front of a credit-card-sized certificate
  • at the bottom of an A4 paper certificate.

Enter these details in the Certificate Authenticity Check. Certificate numbers and passwords are case-sensitive.

What the verification result shows

The verification result may include the seafarers:

  • certificate status
  • certificate number
  • Seafarer ID
  • name
  • certificate grade
  • issue and expiry dates
  • date of birth
  • photograph.

Verify a digital Certificate of Safety Training

To verify a digital Certificate of Safety Training (CoST), you can:

The verification result will show whether the certificate is valid and display the certificate details held by AMSA.

Verify a digital CoST

Get help

If you cannot verify a certificate or the verification result does not match the certificate, contact AMSA.

Last updated: 11 September 2026