Becoming a seafarer in Myanmar as a career change

Official rules for adults who already have a profession on shore.

Age limits

Basic safety training is open from age 18.
Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021)
MMU first-year entry for 2026 was for those who passed the matriculation exam in 2026.
Source: Myanmar Maritime University: call for applications for first-year admission (2026)

Entry through your shore profession

Your profession on shore	Role at sea	Course	Where and on what terms
Rating with a high school certificate	Deck officer (officer of the watch)	Deck Officer Class III course	Without a cadetship, the Deck Officer Class III course is open after 36 months of approved sea service, including 6 months of bridge watchkeeping under supervision. Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021) This route requires a Basic Education High School (BEHS) certificate. Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021)
Navy officer (serving or former)	Deck officer (officer of the watch)	Deck Officer Class III course	Naval and ex-naval officers need 36 months of approved sea service, including at least 3 months on a merchant ship. Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021)
Electrician	Electro-technical rating	Workshop skills training, then sea service	New electro-technical ratings need 6 months of workshop skills training and 1 year of sea service. Source: DMA: CoP application procedure for ratings
Cook	Ship's cook	Ship's Cook Training Course	The ship's cook course requires at least 3 months of sea service in any capacity and basic safety training. Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021) No seafarer under 18 may work as a ship's cook. Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)

Minimum set of documents

Basic safety training (STCW VI/1).
Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021)
A medical certificate from a DMA-approved doctor.
Source: DMA: Seafarers Medical Examinations and Certifications
A CDC (seaman's book).
Source: DMA: CoP application procedure for ratings

Costs and timing: official fees only

The Deck Officer Class III course listed for MMMC and naval candidates lasts 36 weeks.
Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021)
For candidates on the sea service route with a high school certificate, the course lasts 40 weeks.
Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021)
The ship's cook course lasts 6 weeks.
Source: DMA: List of Courses for Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency (updated to March 2021)

How to avoid scams

DMA certificates can be checked in the DMA's free online verification.
Source: Department of Marine Administration (DMA), Myanmar: home page
The DMA publishes a list of medical centres whose approval was withdrawn or suspended.
Source: DMA: Seafarers Medical Examinations and Certifications
Check that a training school is on the DMA's list of approved schools.
Source: DMA, Nautical Division: Training section
Under the MLC 2006, recruitment and placement fees must not be charged to the seafarer.
Source: ILO, Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended)