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Maritime and Coastguard Agency gov.uk

How to become a MCA approved doctor

Imported from official source

This guidance for doctors takes you through:

  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) general criteria for approved doctors (AD)

    • The MCA’s recruitment system has been established in agreement with maritime employers and seafarer’s trade union organisations.

    It aims to serve the seafarers working on UK vessels, and holding UK Certificates of Competency (CoCs).

  • Approved doctor in Barcelona, Spain - closing date 02/10/2026
  • Approved doctor in the area from Perth to Stonehaven (inclusive), Scotland - closing date 23/10/2026
  • Approved doctor in Genoa, Italy - closing date 30/10/2026
  • Medical Referee in Scotland: For more information please see attached PDF, Referee job description open - Nov 25 (PDF, 139 KB, 2 pages) - Ongoing

    • The appointment of approved doctors to carry out ENG1 seafarer medical examinations is restricted to areas where a demand for at least 50 examinations in a year has been demonstrated.

    The most suitable candidate is appointed based on qualifications, experience and location.

    Vacancies are advertised locally using the local clinical commissioning group (CCG). The MCA keeps a file on those who have expressed an interest in becoming an AD. You’ll then be invited to apply to make sure of fair and open competition.

    All the applications are reviewed by the MCA’s chief medical adviser.

  • appointed at the request of companies with vessels on the UK flag, subject to the MCA chief medical adviser’s scrutiny of qualifications and experience
  • only able to do medicals on those employed by the shipping company
  • usually contractors to major shipping companies, or providing services to a ship management or crewing company
  • expected to provide a full occupational medical service for the shipping company

    • Download the approved doctor application form, then send your completed application to the address on the form.

    Speculative applications (meaning those not part of a recruitment process started by the MCA) will be notified if a specific vacancy comes up.

    This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

    Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-become-an-mca-approved-doctor

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    Provenance

    Organization
    Maritime and Coastguard Agency — imported from official source
    Official source
    https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency.atom ATOM
    Imported
    October 01, 2026 12:00
    Versions
    1 recorded
    Identity
    https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-become-an-mca-approved-doctor#2026-10-01T11:26:05Z

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