1 | Why this matters
Crewing departments often struggle to track which certificates need a flag endorsement and which are simply carried on board. The two largest open registries—Panama and Liberia— follow very similar rules, but there are nuances. Below you’ll find:
- a plain-English explainer of CoC vs CoP
- the complete STCW certificate matrix showing what each flag demands
- direct download links to the official circulars and regulations that back it all up
2 | CoC vs CoP
Certificate of Competency (CoC)
What it is: Your professional licence as master, officer, engineer, ETO or GMDSS operator (STCW Chapters II, III, IV & VII).
How Panama & Liberia treat it: Both flags require a flag-state endorsement within 90 days of signing on.
- Panama calls this a “Title Endorsement” (MMC-331).
- Liberia issues an “Endorsement Attesting Recognition” or a national licence (forms RLM-105 etc.).
Certificate of Proficiency (CoP)
What it is: Proof that you completed a specialist or safety course (Basic Safety, Tanker familiarisation, Crowd Management, IGF, Polar, Security Awareness, etc.).
How Panama & Liberia treat it: Normally accepted as-is when the course is approved by any IMO white-list administration; no flag endorsement required.
- Panama allows an optional Course Endorsement (MMC-343).
- Liberia keeps CoPs on board; it does not issue its own CoP (RLM-118 §§ 6.12–6.16).
3 | Flag-by-flag policy snapshot
Panama
- CoC policy: Requires a Title Endorsement (paper or e-certificate) issued under MMC-331; valid until the underlying foreign licence expires.
- CoP policy: Accepts any CoP issued by an IMO white-list administration; a Panamanian “Course Endorsement” is optional, not mandatory.
Key circulars/regulations: MMC-331, MMC-343, MMC-295.
Liberia
- CoC policy: Issues a national licence or an Endorsement Attesting Recognition based on the foreign CoC (see RLM-118 and forms RLM-105/107).
- CoP policy: CoPs are kept on board as documentary evidence only; Liberia does not issue its own CoP for passenger-ship, tanker, BST or similar training (RLM-118 §§ 6.12–6.16).
Key circular/regulations: RLM-118.
4 | Complete STCW certificate matrix for Panama & Liberia
| # | Certificate (STCW reference) | Type | Panama | Liberia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Masters, mates, engineers, ETO, GMDSS (II/1, II/2, II/3, III/1-3, III/6, IV/2, VII/2) | CoC | Title Endorsement required | Liberian licence / endorsement required |
| 2 | Ratings forming part of a navigational/engine watch (II/4, III/4, VII/2) | CoP | Accept recognised; no endorsement | Accept recognised; no endorsement |
| 3 | Able Seafarer Deck (II/5) | CoP | As above | As above |
| 4 | Able Seafarer Engine (III/5) | CoP | As above | As above |
| 5 | Electro-Technical Rating (III/7) | CoP | As above | As above |
| 6 | Oil/Chemical tanker – advanced (V/1-1-1) | CoP / Endorsement to CoC | Recognised; optional “Course Endorsement” | Recognised; optional Liberian SQC |
| 7 | LPG tanker – advanced (V/1-2-1) | CoP / Endorsement to CoC | Same as #6 | Same as #6 |
| 8 | Tanker familiarisation (V/1-1-2, V/1-2-2) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 9 | Passenger-ship: Crowd / Crisis / Passenger safety (V/2) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 10 | IGF Code basic / advanced (V/3) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 11 | Polar Code basic / advanced (V/4) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 12 | Basic Safety Training (VI/1) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 13 | Survival Craft & Rescue Boats / Fast Rescue Boat (VI/2) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 14 | Advanced Fire-Fighting (VI/3) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 15 | Medical First-Aid / Medical Care (VI/4) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
| 16 | Ship Security Officer (VI/5) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised (Liberia may issue SSO SQC on request) |
| 17 | Security Awareness / Designated Security Duties (VI/6) | CoP | Recognised | Recognised |
5 | Operational tips
- Endorse CoCs early: Both flags allow a 90-day grace period, but many PSC inspectors expect an endorsement (or at least the application receipt) on board.
- Carry originals: Each flag’s circulars require that the original CoP (or a certified true copy) is available for inspection.
- Refreshers still apply: Basic Safety, Crowd/Crisis and some tanker certificates need five-year refresher training under STCW — flag recognition does not waive this.
- Electronic certificates are fine: Panama’s MMC-331 and Liberia’s RLM-118 both recognise e-certs with QR-code verification; print a copy for the master’s file just in case.
References
Panama
- MMC-343 (Jun 2023) – White-list recognition
- MMC-331 (Dec 2020) – Samples incl. CoC/CoP endorsements
- MMC-295 (Aug 2014) – Recognition policy
Liberia
IMO / STCW
Feel free to bookmark or share this article with your crewing colleagues — the circulars above are all public-domain PDFs, so download away and keep them in your flag-state binders.
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