Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination

It is the higher-level deck certificate that allows an officer to serve as chief mate or master on vessels covered by the STCW Convention. You need it before promotion beyond the officer-of-the-watch level, and the examination tests the knowledge and judgement expected of someone in command or second in command.

Typically an officer who already holds a watchkeeping-level certificate, has completed the approved sea service required by the Iran Maritime Administration, and has valid medical fitness and basic safety training. Confirm the exact sea service and documentary requirements with PMO, because they are set administratively and can change.

Expect several components rather than one paper: multiple-choice questions, written descriptive answers, an oral examination, and practical or assessment tasks where applicable. The written papers test recall and calculation, while the oral examination tests whether you can apply knowledge and explain decisions clearly under questioning.

It is demanding because it covers the full II/2 breadth, from stability calculations to maritime law, and the oral component exposes shallow understanding quickly. Candidates with solid sea service and structured revision generally cope well; those who rely on memorised past answers usually struggle in the oral and written descriptive sections.

Those figures are set by the Iran Maritime Administration and are published in its current examination guidance. They are not fixed here because they can be revised. Check the PMO website or your examination centre for the current duration, pass mark and subject-wise requirements before you plan your revision timetable.

Retake rules, including whether you must resit the whole examination or only the failed component and how long a partial pass remains valid, are administrative matters determined by PMO. Ask before you apply so you understand the consequences, and keep your revision notes in case you need a second attempt.

Start with navigation and collision regulations, because they underpin watchkeeping and appear in almost every other answer. Then build stability and cargo handling together, since they share loading and stress concepts. Leave maritime law and maritime English until the technical base is secure, and revise safety and pollution prevention throughout.

Candidates commonly lose marks through weak calculation practice in stability and cargo work, vague written answers that miss the marking points, poor recall of collision regulation wording, and an inability to explain decisions aloud in the oral. Answer the question asked, show your working, and practise explaining procedures in plain language.

Yes. Maritime English and communications is assessed in its own right, and weak English can cost marks across the written and oral components. Practise standard marine communication phrases, written reports and clear verbal explanations of procedures, since examiners judge clarity as well as technical accuracy.

All of these are published by the Iran Maritime Administration (PMO). Check its official website or contact the examination office directly for current fees, application windows, examination dates and certificate validity, and keep copies of the correspondence with your application documents.