Working group would approve mariner exam questions before use

The Coast Guard Commandant would need working group approval before using questions developed for the mariner exam. This applies to questions developed for the Merchant Mariner Credentialing Examination. The Commandant must let group members join remotely if they cannot attend in person. The Commandant would convene the group each year or when new questions are created, whichever comes first.

A working group would review what the mariner exam covers. The review would consider exam topics, industry practices, and overlap with mariner training standards. The group would include at least two people who passed the exam in the five years before the group was formed and at least one U.S. Merchant Marine Academy representative. After the review, a report with findings and suggested exam updates would go to the Coast Guard Commandant.

The Commandant would make a plan to update the exam and carry out the review's recommendations. The plan would address outdated exam material, testing methods, and ways to collect pass and fail data. The Commandant must consult the working group and experts in modern testing practices while making the plan. The plan would be due no later than 270 days after the review ends. The Coast Guard would brief designated House and Senate committees on the review and plan within one year after enactment.