46 U.S.C. § 7509 — Medical certification by trusted agents

(a) In General. Despite any other law and under the Secretary’s regulations, a trusted agent may issue a medical certificate to an individual who—(1) must hold it to qualify for a license, certificate of registry, merchant mariner’s document, or endorsement under this part; and (2) the agent finds qualified in sight, hearing, and physical condition to perform the related duties. (b) Process for Issuance of Certificates by Secretary. The final rule must provide for—(1) the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard operates to issue certificates to mariners who apply; and (2) a trusted agent to defer issuance to the Secretary. (c) Trusted Agent Defined. “Trusted agent” means a medical practitioner certified by the Secretary to perform physical examinations for a credential under this part. This section does not define “medical practitioner.”