Guidance

How to become a MCA approved doctor

FindThe outMaritime aboutand MCA'sCoastguard Agency recruitment process for approved doctors (ADs).doctors.

From:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Published
6 May 2014
Last updated
2527 JulyAugust 2025 — See all updates

Overview

This guidance for doctors takes you through:

  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA’s) general criteria for ADsapproved doctors (AD)
  • types of AD
  • how to apply for appointment as an 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).

TheCurrent MCArecruitment are currently recruiting.opportunities

  • Medical Referee in Scotland.Scotland: For more information please see attached PDF. PDF, MCA Medical Referee Recruitment Scotland (PDF, 234 KB, 2 pages)

    West coast of Scotland. From Oban to Ayr (and the surrounding islands) - Closescloses 01/09/202501/09/2025.

  • SouthOrkney WalesIslands from– Aberystwythcloses round05/09/2025

  • Grimsby, toScunthorpe Chepstowand -Hull Closes– 10/08/2025closes 09/09/2025

Criteria for appointment as an AD

The appointment of Approvedapproved Doctorsdoctors 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.

The full recruitment procedure is detailed in ‘chapter 2 - the role of an approved doctor’, in the MCA’s approved doctor’s manual.

The categories of ADs

General list doctors are:

  • available to all seafarers
  • spread over a wide geographical network
  • mainly appointed on a replacement basis

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.

Company doctors are:

  • 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

Apply to become an approved doctor

Download the application form to become an 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.

The chief medical adviser will review your application, then it’ll be acknowledged by the medical administration team.

Further information

Updates to this page

Published 6 May 2014
Last updated 2527 JulyAugust 2025 + show all updates

  2. The deadline for applications in Scotland has been extended from 07 July 2025 to 01 September 2025.

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