46 CFR § 11.518
Service requirements for national endorsement as chief engineer (limited) of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels
April 15, 2021
(a) The minimum service required to qualify an applicant for endorsement as chief engineer (limited) of steam, motor, and/or gas turbine-propelled vessels is 5 years of total service in the engineroom of vessels. Two years of this service must have been as an engineer officer while holding an engineer officer endorsement. Thirty months of the service must have been as a qualified member of the engine department or equivalent position.
(b) A person holding this endorsement may qualify for an STCW endorsement, according to §§11.325 and 11.331 of this part.