Applying for an MCA NoE or CoC with SAMSA Courses? Here's What's Accepted

We get asked this every single week — so here's the breakdown for anyone planning to go the MCA route using SAMSA-accredited training.

First, check which accreditation the MCA actually requires:

• If the MCA guidance says a course must be MCA accredited, PYT (Professional Yacht Training) is currently the only MCA-accredited training provider in South Africa.

• If it only requires SAMSA accreditation, don't assume every school's version counts. Always check that the course itself is SAMSA accredited — some providers run courses accredited by other bodies that the MCA won't accept, even if the school has a SAMSA affiliation.

  
  

Basic Training (MGN 643, Section 4.4)

The MCA accepts SAMSA STCW Basic Training certificates for both initial applications and revalidations — covering:

• PST (Personal Survival Techniques)

• EFA (Elementary First Aid)

• FPFF (Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting)

• PSSR (Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities)

This applies for CoC, CeC, NoE, GMDSS, and Discharge Book applications. In short: your SA basic training certs are valid. (Basic Training certs from any IMO STCW White List country are accepted too.)

SAMSA medical certificates are also always accepted by the MCA as an ENG1 equivalent.

CoC Revalidation / Upgrade (MSN 1859, Sections 4.6 & 4.7)

For revalidation applications, the MCA accepts SAMSA-accredited course certs for:

• PST

• PSCRB

• Advanced Fire Fighting

The exception: the MCA does not accept a SAMSA-accredited "Updated Proficiency in Medical Care" course. At present they don't ask to see it when you're revalidating your CoC — but technically it isn't accepted, so be cautious about relying on this course if done in South Africa.

The Simple Rule to Remember

Situation	Accepted?
Basic Training	✅ SAMSA accepted
First UK CoC (advanced courses)	❌ Not accepted
Revalidation	✅ Mostly accepted (except Medical Care — though not currently checked at revalidation)

Bottom line: save yourself time, money, and frustration — get clear on exactly what's accepted before you book a course.

Not sure which category your application falls into? We're happy to check it for you before you spend money on the wrong course.