How to Become a Marine Engineer Officer in Canada (federal)
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Transport Canada to work as a marine engineer officer in Canada or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“have appropriate certificates and qualifications for the position held”
From tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 4 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 24 to 48 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
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Apply to a recognized school that offers the approved marine engineering training program.
Source
“You can apply to a recognized school that offers this program ([TP 10655 – Recognized institutions and approved training courses]”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification... -
Complete the program, which usually takes 24 to 48 months and includes classroom learning and time working on vessels.
Time: 24 to 48 monthsTime source
“These programs usually take 24 to 48 months and include classroom learning and time working on vessels.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...Source
“These programs usually take 24 to 48 months and include classroom learning and time working on vessels.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification... -
While on board, complete assignments and keep a record of your work and studies, which instructors review after each sea period and an examiner checks when you apply for your certificate.
Source
“While on board, you will need to complete assignments and keep a record of your work and studies. Instructors will review this record after each sea period, and an examiner will check it when you apply for your certificate.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification... -
Apply for your certificate of competency, at which point an examiner will check your record.
Source
“Instructors will review this record after each sea period, and an examiner will check it when you apply for your certificate.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Transport Canada
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Other
You must be over the minimum age; you can accumulate sea service towards a certificate of competency at 16 years of age.
Source
“be over the minimum age You can accumulate sea service towards a certificate of competency at 16 years of age”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...You must meet strict vision, health, and fitness standards.
Source
“meet strict vision, health, and fitness standards”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...You must have a seafarer's discharge book that shows your sea service and qualifications.
Source
“have a seafarer’s discharge book that shows your sea service and qualifications”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...Before doing anything else, you need to apply for a Candidate Document Number (CDN).
Source
“Before doing anything else, you need to apply for a Candidate Document Number (CDN).”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...You may need to be examined by a designated Marine Medical Examiner and hold a Transport Canada marine medical certificate, depending on the position and certificate sought.
Source
“Once you have a CDN, you may need to be examined by a designated Marine Medical Examiner. The requirement to hold a marine medical certificate depends on the position and certificate sought by the seafarer”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...All seafarers must have at least an unaided vision of 6/60 or 20/200 with both or either eye alone.
Source
“All seafarers must have at least an unaided vision of 6/60 or 20/200 with both or either eye alone”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...Some courses are required, including first aid, marine emergency duties, and simulator training.
Source
“You can choose how you study, but some courses are required. These include first aid, marine emergency duties, and simulator training.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...If you don't complete the training and record book, you may only qualify for a restricted certificate for near coastal voyages.
Source
“If you don’t complete this training and record book, you may only qualify for a restricted certificate for near coastal voyages.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages do not state how someone already licensed in another Canadian province or territory registers here. Source
“There are two main paths to becoming a marine engineer and obtaining a certificate of competency.”
tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Exams
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Transport Canada
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $26.78 | $37.00 | $61.54 | — |
Marine engineer officers in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Not confirmed yet
- Alberta Not confirmed yet
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Not confirmed yet
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- How to become a seafarer tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-training-certification... · fetched October 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
1
Do you need a licence to work as a marine engineer officer in Canada?
Yes. A licence or certificate from Transport Canada is required to work in Canada.
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