DURATION OF LICENSES, CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY, AND MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS.

SEC. 614. DURATION OF LICENSES, CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRY, AND MERCHANT MARINERS’ DOCUMENTS.(a) Merchant Mariner’s Documents.—Section 7302(f) of title 46, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:“(f) Periods of Validity and Renewal of Merchant Mariners’ Documents.—“(1) In general.—Except as provided in subsection (g), a merchant mariner’s document issued under this chapter is valid for a 5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods.“(2) Advance renewals.—A renewed merchant mariner’s document may be issued under this chapter up to 8 months in advance but is not effective until the date that the previously issued merchant mariner’s document expires or until the completion of any active suspension or revocation of that previously issued merchant mariner’s document, whichever is later.”.(b) Duration of Licenses.—Section 7106 of such title is amended to read as follows:124 STAT. 2971 “§ 7106. Duration of licenses“(a) In General.—A license issued under this part is valid for a 5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods; except that the validity of a license issued to a radio officer is conditioned on the continuous possession by the holder of a first-class or second-class radiotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.“(b) Advance Renewals.—A renewed license issued under this part may be issued up to 8 months in advance but is not effective until the date that the previously issued license expires or until the completion of any active suspension or revocation of that previously issued merchant mariner’s document, whichever is later.” .(c) Certificates of Registry.—Section 7107 of such title is amended to read as follows:“§ 7107. Duration of certificates of registry“(a) In General.—A certificate of registry issued under this part is valid for a 5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods; except that the validity of a certificate issued to a medical doctor or professional nurse is conditioned on the continuous possession by the holder of a license as a medical doctor or registered nurse, respectively, issued by a State.“(b) Advance Renewals.—A renewed certificate of registry issued under this part may be issued up to 8 months in advance but is not effective until the date that the previously issued certificate of registry expires or until the completion of any active suspension or revocation of that previously issued merchant mariner’s document, whichever is later.” .