Regional Examination Centers Reopen in Hawaii, Alaska and Long Beach

Mariners needing to get or update their credentials will now be able to book an appointment with the National Maritime Center’s newly reopened Regional Examination Centers in Honolulu and Juneau, and Monitoring Unit Ketchikan. The REC in Long Beach, California will be opening on Tuesday, September 8.

However, mariners will have to remotely book exams by appointment since walk-in appointments and in-person delivery of applications won’t be accepted, according to a letter from U.S. Coast Guard Commanding Officer Captain Kirsten R. Martin.

When mariners come for their appointment, they will be tested for COVID-19 and those with symptoms won’t be allowed in the center or monitoring unit. They must wear a face covering during the appointment and examination, or they will be asked to leave and be subject to a failing grade. When the appointment is being made, the center or monitoring unit must be told if a documented health issue exists that stops the test-taker from wearing a face covering.

Test-takers should come with No. 2 pencils, a non-programmable calculator and plotting equipment. Personal belongings will be prohibited in the testing facility.

The Customer Service Center will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST Monday to Friday and can be reached at 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662) and IASKNMC@uscg.mil.

Mariners can reach out to REC Honolulu at rechonolulu@uscg.mil, REC Juneau at 907-463-2458 and MU Ketchikan at 907-225-4496, Ext. 3. REC Long Beach can be reached at reclb@uscg.mil.

By Sarah Spangler