medical fitness certificate validity: when is a re-examination required?
Do you want to know how long a medical fitness certificate remains valid for work offshore, at sea, or in inland shipping? Each sector has its own rules, validity periods and exceptions. Below you’ll find a clear overview to help you quickly determine when you need to be re-examined.
Hoe lang is een medische keuring geldig?
De geldigheid van een medische keuring is vastgelegd in sector-specifieke richtlijnen. In de meeste gevallen bedraagt de standaard geldigheid 1 of 2 jaar, maar er zijn belangrijke uitzonderingen. De keuringsarts kan bovendien altijd een kortere geldigheidsduur vaststellen als de medische situatie daar aanleiding toe geeft.
De einddatum op het medische certificaat is altijd leidend.
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Overview of validity by sector
| Sector | Standard validity | Age-related rules | Exceptions / additional requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore NL (NL Offshore Medical / Element NL) | Up to 2 years | WAH: up to age 50 = 2 years; from age 50 = 1 year | The examining doctor may issue a shorter validity period if there is an increased medical risk | New standard since 1 July 2025 (replacing NOGEPA) |
| Offshore UK (OEUK, formerly OGUK) | Up to 2 years | No fixed age thresholds | Additional requirements may apply depending on the operator/employer | Widely recognised certificate |
| Seafarer (STCW / ILT) | <18 year: 1 jaar • ≥18 year: 2 year | – | May vary by flag state. | The expiry date is clearly stated on the certificate. |
| Inland shipping (CESNI / ES-QIN) | Up to age 60: up to 13 years • after 60: typically every 2 years | Re-examination required at 60, 65 and 70 | After 70: every 2 years | Validity is linked to EU qualification requirements |
NL Offshore Medical: validity and rules
NL Medical Offshore Examination – medical fitness certificate validity
| Component | Age | Maximum validity period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard offshore work | All ages | Up to 2 years | The examining doctor may issue a shorter validity period if there is an increased medical risk. |
| Working at Height (WAH) | Up to age 50 | Up to 2 years | The WAH component follows the maximum validity period up to age 50. |
| From age 50 | Up to 1 year (WAH) | Only the WAH component is reviewed annually. |
An expired certificate cannot be used. There is no grace period.
Offshore UK (OEUK): international validity
Seafarer medical examination (STCW / ILT): validity by age
Seafarer medical fitness certificate validity (STCW/ILT): the medical fitness certificate is valid for 1 or 2 years, depending on your age. There is an internationally standardised rule for seafarers; the table below shows the overview by age group.
| Age | Validity of the medical fitness certificate | Practical impact |
|---|---|---|
| 18 year | 1 year | Annual re-examination is required. |
| ≥ 18 jaar | 2 jaar | Herkeuring elke 2 jaar. |
The expiry date is always stated on the medical fitness certificate. In most cases, an expired certificate means you are not permitted to depart.
Inland shipping medical examination (CESNI / ES-QIN): the extended 13-year rule
Inland shipping medical fitness certificate validity (CESNI/ES-QIN): up to age 60, the medical fitness certificate may have a longer validity period, with mandatory re-examinations at 60, 65 and 70. From age 70, a re-examination is typically required every 2 years. The table below shows the overview by age/milestone.
| Age / milestone | Maximum validity of the medical fitness certificate | Re-examination / key point |
|---|---|---|
| Age 18–60 | Up to 13 years | Validity runs until (at most) the 60th birthday; plan your re-examination well in advance. |
| On reaching age 60 | Follow-up validity until age 65 | Re-examination is required at age 60. |
| On reaching age 65 | Follow-up validity until age 70 | Re-examination is required at age 65. |
| On reaching age 70 | Up to 2 years | Re-examination is required at age 70; thereafter typically every 2 years. |
| From age 70 | Every 2 years | Re-examination every 2 years to remain fit for duty. |
Planning is important, especially if additional assessments are required for your qualification certificate.
When is a medical fitness certificate valid for less than the standard period?
An examining doctor may issue a shortened validity period where your medical risk profile requires earlier re-assessment. This may apply, for example, in cases of:
- chronic conditions
- cardiovascular disease
- use of medication that may affect fitness for duty
- rapidly changing medical conditions
The expiry date is then set based on the medical risk assessment.
Re-examination in time (important for offshore, seafarer and inland shipping)
It is the employee’s responsibility to schedule a re-examination in good time. We recommend booking an appointment well before the expiry date, especially if additional tests may be required. An expired certificate usually means you may be temporarily unfit for duty.
Written by Sven Daam, ILT-, OEUK- and ElementNL-certified medical examiner specialising in maritime and offshore health assessments.
Safeguarding fitness for work
You can also visit OmniHealth for other commonly required medical examinations. See the overview alongside and choose the examination that matches your role and sector.
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