Code of Federal Regulations Title 46. Shipping § 46.10.101 Purpose

(a) A means of determining and verifying the qualifications an applicant must possess to be eligible for certification to serve on merchant vessels;

(b) A means of determining that an applicant is competent to serve under the authority of his or her merchant mariner credential (MMC);

(c) A means of confirming that an applicant does not pose a threat to national security through the requirement to hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC);  and

(d) A means of determining whether the applicant for an MMC is a safe and suitable person.