**NMC Develops Fillable Application Form

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) National Maritime Center (NMC) has developed an updated License and Document Application Form (Form 719B F-5), which allows mariners to complete the form electronically. However, it is important to note that a signed and dated copy of the form must still be mailed or hand-delivered to the local U.S. Coast Guard Regional Examination Center (REC).

The new form is expected to reduce the number of delays and errors, which primarily occur due to difficulty in reading the hand-written forms. The form is also the first step in NMC’s goal of online applications.

An important note relates to the "check form" button, which is located on the bottom of pages two and four. The button reviews all of the entered information and prompts the user to add, change, or correct information based on basic business rules. However, the check button feature will only work in Adobe Reader, vice Adobe Acrobat, so information cannot be saved after it has been entered.