Pilots' Medical Certificate Validity Period

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard 46 CFR Parts 10, 11, and 15 [Docket No. USCG-2020-0069] RIN 1625-AC63 AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule to extend the maximum validity period of merchant mariner medical certificates issued to first-class pilots, and masters or mates serving as pilot, from 2 years to 5 years. We are issuing this rule in response to federal advisory committee recommendations and a petition for rulemaking. This rule will reduce the frequency of medical certificate application submissions to the Coast Guard. The rule maintains the requirement for pilots to complete annual physicals and provides the Coast Guard opportunity to review the medical examinations of pilots who may become medically unqualified between medical certificate applications; therefore, the rule does not compromise safety. DATES: This final rule is effective February 1, 2023. ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov , type USCG-2020-0069 in the search box and click “Search.” Next, in the Document Type column, select “Supporting & Related Material.” FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document call or email Eric Malzkuhn, U.S. Coast Guard Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing; telephone 202-372-1425, email eric.f.malzkuhn@uscg.mil . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents for Preamb…