How to become an approved seafarer's doctor

  • Published: 02/02/2024
  • Changed: 02/02/2024

Here you will find relevant information on the approval process.

The purpose of Norwegian approved seafarer's doctors

Norwegian approved seafarer's doctors carry out medical examinations of seafarers working on NOR/NIS-registered vessels.

The approval of seafarer's doctors outside of Norway is based on the (Norwegian) industry's need for foreign labor on NOR/NIS-registered vessels. 

 

Who is responsible for approving seafarer's doctors?

Medical practitioners with practice in Norway may be approved as seafarer's doctor by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA). Medical practitioners with practice outside of Norway may be approved as seafarer's doctor by a Norwegian Foreign Service Mission on behalf of the NMA, cf. Section 7 third paragraph in the Health Regulations. 

 

Which considerations are conducted by the Norwegian Foreign Service Mission?

Norwegian Foreign Service Missions carry out an overall assessment of the need for Norwegian approved seafarer's doctor in the country or region of concern on the following:

  • The demand for medical certificates from national seafarers working on NOR/NIS-registered vessels.
  • The number of calls by NOR/NIS-registered vessels in the country or region of concern.
  • The number of approved seafarer's doctors (approved by Norway, UK, EEA-countries or the Republic of China - countries whose medical certificates are accepted on NOR/NIS-registered vessels.
  • The applicant's fulfilment of the requirements for approval, including documentation.

Applicants who fulfil the requirements are not automatically entitled to approval.

 

What are the requirements of becoming an approved seafarer's doctor?

The Norwegian Maritime Authority or a Norwegian Foreign Service Mission may grant an approval as seafarer's doctor to a medical practitioner authorized in accordance with national provisions in the country where he or she has their practice, and who:

a) has completed a course in maritime medicine approved by the Norwegian Maritime Authority;

b) can perform medical examinations pursuant to these Regulations to such an extent that competence in maritim medicine is maintained;

c) participates in a refresher course in maritime medicine during the approval period;

d) has access to the equipment needed to complete medical examinations pursuant to these Regulations;

e) has normal colour vision or has made arrangements so that the coulor vision of the person working on board can be properly examined;

f) has command of Norwgian or English;

g) has necessay knowledge of Norwegian legislation, particulary the Health Regulation and the Public Administration Act;

h) has a quality system in accordance with an internationally recognised standard

 

What to do in interest of becoming a Norwegian approved seafarer's doctor?

Prior to attending the course in maritime medicine that is required for approval, applicants are encouraged to contact the Norwegian Foreign Service Mission regarding the need for a Norwegian approved seafarer's doctor in the country or region of concern.

 

Where to send an application for approval or renewal of approval?

Medical practitioners with practice in Norway shall send their applications for approval or renewal to the NMA. Medical practitioners with practice outside of Norway shall send their applications for approval or renewal to the relevant Norwegian Foreign Service Mission

The following must be enclosed to the application:

  • Confirmation of authorization in accordance with national requirements;
  • Documentation of successfully completed and passed course in maritime medicine;
  • Self-declaration - quality system for seafarers' doctors (KS-0418);
  • Documentation of normal colour vision or a compensatory arrangemen on other qualified medical staff to properly examine the seafarer's colour vision.

Applications including attachments must be submitted to relevant Norwegian Foreign Service Mission by email or ordinary mail (post).

 

Which course in maritime medicine is accepted?

The Norwegian Centre for Maritime Medicine and Diving Medicine (NCMDM) arranges approved courses that covers the competence requirements in accordance with Section 7 in the Health Regulations. Please find further details regarding courses on the NCMDM website.

Important! If the Norwegian Foreign Service Mission finds no need for an (additional) seafarer's doctor, applications for approval or renewal of approvals will be rejected, even if the course is passed. Hence, interests must contact the relevan Foreign Service Mission prior to signing up for a course. Completed course in maritime medicine does not guarantee an approval as seafarer's doctor.

 

What to expect upon being approved as a seafarer's doctor?

You personally will be delegated the authority to issue Norwegian Medical certificates and Declarations of unfitness on behalf of the NMA for a limited period. You must comply with Norwegian regulations, and your name will be listed on the NMA's website.

Medical practitioners outside of Norway being approved by Norwegian Authorities after 2018 will not get access to the NMA's online system. Hence, they will instead receive paper forms (hard copies) for filling in such declarations from the relevant Norwegian Foreign Service Mission.

 

Regarding medical practitioners and seafarer's doctors in the European Economic Area (EEA-countries)

Due to EU-directive 2022/993, the need of Norwegian approved seafarer's doctors in EEA-countries is downsized as EEA medical certificates (issued in accordance with EEA requirements) consequently are accepted for work on board NOR/NIS-registered vessels. Due to this, Norwegian Authorities do not approve new seafarer's doctors in the EEA-countries. Furthermore, overall assessments are being carried out by the Norwegian Foreign Service Mission when approved seafarer's doctors in EEA-countries apply for renewal of their approvals. So far, several applications for renewal have been rejected due to the mentioned EU-directive.

 

Regarding seafarer's doctors that were approved by Norwegian Authorities prior to 2018

The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) concern Norwegian approved seafarer's doctors.

A new Norwegian act regarding processing of personal information entered into force July 1st 2020, as a result of the GDPR.

To comply with the new regulations, the NMA must enter into a Data Processing Agreement with approved seafarer's doctors that have access to the NMA's online system, as he or she process personal information on behalf of the NMA. This regards seafarer's doctors in countries defined by the European Commission as secure third countries.

Secure third countries are those for which the European Commission has confirmed a suitable level of data protection on the basis of an adequacy decision. In those countries, national laws provide a level of protection for personal data which is comparable to those of EU law. The third countries which ensure an adequate level of protection are:
Andorra, Argentina,  Canada (only commercial organizations), Faroe Islands, Guernsey, Israel, Isle of Man, Jersey, New Zealand, Switzerland, Uruguay, Japan, the United Kingdom and South Korea. Data transfer to these countries is expressly permitted. Consequently, NMA approved seafarer's doctors with access to the NMA's online system must enter into a Data Processing Agreement with the NMA.

As seafarer's doctors with practice in third countries without adequate security measures are prevented by GDPR from getting access to the NMA's online system, Data Processing Agreements are not relevant. For the time being, there is no other technical solution that complies with the GDPR for online submissions on Norwegian Medical certificates and Declarations of unfitness. This implies that seafarer's doctors in third countries without adequate security level must issue Norwegian declaratios in paper forms (hard copies) only. 

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