Progression: Electro-Technical Rating (ETR) to Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)
An Electro-Technical Rating with sea service on electrical duties joins the pre-sea ETO course and sits the DGMA examinations for the ETO certificate; ratings with an electrical or electronics diploma or degree need less sea service. The course age limit does not apply to them.
Official reference: DGS (EAC-ENGG) Circular 25/2026, section III
Where this route can take you
Who can apply
Each requirement is summarised from the official publication linked beside it.
Holds the ETR certificate of proficiency
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗You hold the Electro-Technical Rating certificate of proficiency.
Without an electrical / electronics diploma or degree: sea service
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗Without such a diploma or degree: at least 24 months at sea after the ETR certificate, on ships of 750 kW or more, on electrical duties under supervision.
…of which with an approved ETO TAR book
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗At least 12 months of it with an approved ETO training record (TAR) book.
With an electrical / electronics diploma or degree: sea service
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗With an electrical or electronics diploma or degree: at least 12 months at sea after the ETR certificate, on ships of 750 kW or more, on electrical duties under supervision.
…of which with an approved ETO TAR book
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗At least 6 months of it with an approved ETO training record (TAR) book.
No age limit for this pathway
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗No age limit for joining the ETO course on this pathway.
Step by step
- 1
Pre-sea ETO course (four months)
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗ - 2
Written and oral examinations by DGMA for the ETO certificate
The DGMA written and oral examinations for the ETO certificate.
DGS Circular 25 of 2026 ↗
The rules behind this route
This page summarises the published rules of DGMA (the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, formerly DG Shipping) in plain language. Each requirement links to the official publication for the exact wording. Rules made under the old Merchant Shipping Act 1958 still apply under the Merchant Shipping Act 2025.