Build your Engine test — required subjects and optional practice

NMC-source-based study guidance, not NMC approval of this site or your eligibility. Your current NMC evaluation/Approved to Test letter (ATT) and qualification history control the actual examination. Practical, sea-service, medical and STCW requirements remain separate.

Requirements reviewed 2026-10-12; guide: August 2014 edition currently linked by NMC. Required counts do not change when practice subjects are cleared or optional packages added.

Qualified Member of the Engine Department

Rating examination preparation — Junior Engineer: 2 required written modules — Q800, Q801. Rating-specific general/safety is contained in these modules; engineer-officer modules are not automatically added.
Rating examination preparation — Electrician–Refrigerating Engineer: 2 required written modules — Q802, Q803. Rating-specific general/safety is contained in these modules; engineer-officer modules are not automatically added.
Rating examination preparation — Oiler: 2 required written modules — Q804, Q805. Rating-specific general/safety is contained in these modules; engineer-officer modules are not automatically added.
Rating examination preparation — Boiler Technician/Watertender: 1 required written modules — Q806. Rating-specific general/safety is contained in these modules; engineer-officer modules are not automatically added.
Rating examination preparation — Pump Technician/Machinist: 2 required written modules — Q807, Q808. Rating-specific general/safety is contained in these modules; engineer-officer modules are not automatically added.
Existing-holder addition — Add Electrician: 1 required written modules — Q802. Qualifying existing combined-rating pathway only; match your NMC ATT.
Existing-holder addition — Add Refrigerating Engineer: 1 required written modules — Q803. Qualifying existing combined-rating pathway only; match your NMC ATT.
Existing-holder addition — Add Machinist: 1 required written modules — Q807. Qualifying existing combined-rating pathway only; match your NMC ATT.
Existing-holder addition — Add Pump Technician: 1 required written modules — Q808. Qualifying existing combined-rating pathway only; match your NMC ATT.
All five QMED ratings preparation — QMED – Any Rating: 9 required written modules — Q800, Q801, Q802, Q803, Q804, Q805, Q806, Q807, Q808. A combined study set for all five rating examinations, not one new exam. All five ratings and remaining eligibility requirements must be satisfied for QMED – Any Rating; an eligible Junior Engineer credit pathway is evaluated separately by NMC.
Conditional no-additional-testing pathway — Junior Engineer: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Only where the NMC guide’s existing-rating prerequisites are satisfied and NMC assigns no additional testing. Not a universal Junior Engineer waiver.

Third Assistant Engineer, Unlimited

Original examination preparation — Motor: 5 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q534, Q535, Q536. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Steam: 5 required written modules — Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Gas Turbine: 4 required written modules — Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Motor + Steam: 7 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Motor + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Steam + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — All three propulsion modes: 8 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Steam: 2 required written modules — Q537, Q538. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Motor: 2 required written modules — Q531, Q532. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Gas Turbine: 1 required written modules — Q533. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.

Second Assistant Engineer, Unlimited

Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Motor: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior operational-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Steam: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior operational-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Gas Turbine: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior operational-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Motor + Steam: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior operational-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Motor + Gas Turbine: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior operational-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Steam + Gas Turbine: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior operational-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — All three propulsion modes: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior operational-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Examination-required preparation — Motor: 5 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q534, Q535, Q536. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Steam: 5 required written modules — Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Gas Turbine: 4 required written modules — Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Motor + Steam: 7 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Motor + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Steam + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — All three propulsion modes: 8 required written modules — Q531, Q532, Q533, Q534, Q535, Q536, Q537, Q538. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Steam: 2 required written modules — Q537, Q538. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Motor: 2 required written modules — Q531, Q532. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Gas Turbine: 1 required written modules — Q533. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.

First Assistant Engineer, Unlimited

Original examination preparation — Motor: 5 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q514, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Steam: 5 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Gas Turbine: 5 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Motor + Steam: 6 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q514, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Motor + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q514, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — Steam + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Original examination preparation — All three propulsion modes: 7 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q514, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Steam: 1 required written modules — Q513. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Motor: 1 required written modules — Q514. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Gas Turbine: 1 required written modules — Q515. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.

Chief Engineer, Unlimited

Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Motor: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior management-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Steam: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior management-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Gas Turbine: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior management-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Motor + Steam: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior management-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Motor + Gas Turbine: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior management-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — Steam + Gas Turbine: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior management-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Qualifying document/sea-service upgrade — All three propulsion modes: 0 additional written modules (conditional). Zero additional written modules only after the qualifying prior management-level examination and remaining requirements are satisfied. NMC evaluates the application.
Examination-required preparation — Motor: 5 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q514, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Steam: 5 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Gas Turbine: 5 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Motor + Steam: 6 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q514, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Motor + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q514, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — Steam + Gas Turbine: 6 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Examination-required preparation — All three propulsion modes: 7 required written modules — Q511, Q512, Q513, Q514, Q515, Q516, Q517. Shared General, Safety and Electrical/Control subjects plus the requested eligible propulsion scope. Selecting study scope does not authorize an endorsement.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Steam: 1 required written modules — Q513. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Motor: 1 required written modules — Q514. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.
Existing-holder propulsion addition — Add Gas Turbine: 1 required written modules — Q515. Only the eligible NMC-assigned scope-addition pathway. A new applicant still needs the shared original-examination subjects. No new grade-specific exam code is invented.

AB and QMED rating study guidance

A real route into the Merchant Marine. Ordinary Seafarer (OS) and Wiper are entry-level endorsements without a professional examination or qualifying sea-service requirement. AB and QMED are skilled national ratings, not officer licenses. Medical, drug-testing, application, security and employer requirements still apply. NMC entry-level checklist.

QMED: choose a rating, not an invented rank ladder

Qualified Member of the Engine Department is a skilled rating below officer. Five rating qualifications are available. Junior Engineer is not designated the “highest” QMED rating. QMED – Any Rating means qualifying for all five, not a sixth exam or automatic credit for the others.

Junior Engineer: Q800 + Q801, two written modules.
Electrician / Refrigerating Engineer: Q802 + Q803, two written modules.
Oiler: Q804 + Q805, two written modules.
Boiler Technician / Watertender: Q806, one written module.
Pump Technician / Machinist: Q807 + Q808, two written modules.

The NMC-linked guide lists 70 questions and 70% per QMED module. Q806 is one module, not Parts I and II. “Fireman/Watertender” and “Pumpman/Machinist” remain older exam-title aliases for today's Boiler Technician/Watertender and Pump Technician/Machinist.

Study the plant and the safe work: watchkeeping, boilers and steam, diesel engines, pumps, piping, auxiliary machinery, lubrication, maintenance, tools, electricity and refrigeration as applicable to your selected rating.
Safety is integrated: first aid, fire prevention and firefighting, communications, emergency equipment, pollution prevention, damage control and hazardous materials belong inside the rating exams. Do not add an engineer-officer safety exam as a universal QMED requirement.
Qualifying credit: the guide allows Junior Engineer without Q800/Q801 testing after successful Electrician/Refrigerating Engineer, Oiler and Boiler Technician/Watertender examinations, with other requirements met. Approved courses and existing-holder additions have separate conditions; match your NMC ATT.
National service: normally six months in a rating at least equal to Wiper or Coal Passer. Approved school-ship or training alternatives exist; age 18, medical, drug-testing, English and examination requirements also apply.

STCW Able Seafarer-Engine is separate. Meet RFPEW requirements before accumulating the relevant AS-E service: normally 12 months, or six months plus approved training, with Table A-III/5 competence and Basic Training. National QMED alone does not automatically issue AS-E. Lifeboat Operator/Proficiency in Survival Craft may be required by a particular role or vessel, but is not a universal AS-E prerequisite. Relevant rules are §12.607 (AS-E) and §12.609 (RFPEW), not §12.605 (RFPNW).

NMC QMED checklist · Five national QMED ratings · Service and training · Examination subject matrix · STCW Able Seafarer-Engine · RFPEW

Practice wisely: samples are not the whole examination bank

Mariner retains the current sample sets: 50 source occurrences each for Q450/Q451, and 70 each for Q800–Q808. The October 14 release verified 98 ready AB occurrences and 611 ready QMED occurrences; the unchanged exact-duplicate rule yielded 506 combined QMED practice entries. These dated coverage figures do not establish a complete national question bank. Ready counts can vary by selection and later separately approved publications. Archived Engine/Deck practice is broader material, not a fully mapped QMED/AB-only archive.

Plan for the missing experience: use the NMC subject outlines as your checklist, learn practical skills hands-on, study applicable training material and take approved courses where needed. Similar engineering or safety concepts may overlap with officer study; no “zero question overlap” claim is made.

Official sample PDFs for your study plan

Junior Engineer Q800 and Oiler Q804 emphasize plant and auxiliary systems; Q801 and Q805 also cover electrical, tools, maintenance and safety topics. These broad guides are not fixed subtopic question weights. Use the official module outlines. NMC examination-room materials and module-specific instructions, not a study app, decide allowed books and references. NMC examination-room materials.

Drawings: open the official source, keep your place here

For exactly matched figures, Study mode can open the USCG-hosted PDF at the drawing's page in a separate tab. Phone viewers may ignore the page target, so the figure ID and page number are shown. The official samples also include answers: reference links are not presented as an answer aid during examination-style testing. Mariner does not copy, crop or frame reproduction-restricted plates. Original teaching diagrams require independent authorship and technical alignment, not tracing a copyrighted picture.

Source review: October 15, 2026. NMC's index was refreshed September 2026; its still-linked administration guide is the August 2014 edition. Current sample dates and current CFR/checklists are distinguished from that older guide. This is independent study guidance, not USCG approval, credential eligibility or a guarantee of passing. Your current NMC evaluation and Approved to Test letter control.

Official module outlines and sample examinations · NMC examination guide (2014 edition) · Copyright Office: government works and reproduction rights

Official NMC examination guide · USCG conditional examination/upgrade requirements · 12 free guided study samples

Short guest previews and custom mixes are practice, not the complete official NMC examination. Full ready-question counts open after login; missing coverage remains visible.