NI DP Certification and Accreditation Standard Vol 1 — Training and Certification (v2 June 2026)
The **Nautical** Institute # Certification and Accreditation Standard **Volume 1: Training and Certification** February 2026 --- ## **The Nautical Institute** # Certification and Accreditation Standard Vol.1 – Training and Certification February 2026 – Version 2 --- # **Disclaime
Reference: STCW Code and Convention (see end of this se
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The
**Nautical**
Institute
# Certification and Accreditation Standard
**Volume 1: Training and Certification**
February 2026
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## **The Nautical Institute**
# Certification and Accreditation Standard
Vol.1 – Training and Certification
February 2026 – Version 2
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# **Disclaimer**
While every effort has been made to ensure that all the information in this document is updated and correct, The Nautical Institute cannot be held responsible for any loss, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, resulting from use of this information. Likewise, The Nautical Institute cannot be held responsible for any damage to property or personnel while following these guidelines. This information is produced in good faith, but The Nautical Institute cannot guarantee the accuracy and/or completeness of the information, which is produced for guidance purposes only.
# **Published by The Nautical Institute**
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Tel: +44 (0)20 7928 1351
Web: www.nautinst.org
www.nialexisplatform.org
© The Nautical Institute 2026
Design by Phil McAllister Design
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# Document version control
| NI Certification and Accreditation Standard Vol 1 – Training and Certification | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Title | Version | Date |
| NI Certification and Accreditation Standard Vol 1 – Training and Certification | 1 | 20/02/2026 |
| NI Certification and Accreditation Standard Vol 1 – Training and Certification | 2 | 25/06/2026 |
## Table of changes
| Page | Subject | Original content v1 (February 2025) | New content v1 (February 2026) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | Annex G | DP Refresher and Competency Assessment Course | Deleted |
| | Annex M | DPVM, Refresher and Competency Assessment Course | Deleted |
| | | | |
| 8 | Section 1, 1.5 | The role of regional training providers (RTPs). | The role of regional training providers (RTPs). Amended |
| 10 | Section 1, 1.8 | Old and New Training Scheme Rules | Closure of the old offshore DP Scheme – updated |
| 15 | Section 2, 2.5 | Loss of certificate or logbook | Loss of certificate or logbook – Amended |
| 21 | Section 3, 3.9 | Upgrading from limited to unlimited certificate | Upgrading from limited to unlimited certificate – Amended |
| 28-37 | Section 6 | | Amended: ● Route 2, Amended ● Route 4, Amended ● Table 1 & 2, Revalidation matrix – Amended ● 6.2 'for offshore certificate revalidation' Amended |
| Page | Subject | Original content v1 (February 2026) | New content v2 (June 2026) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 34 | Section 6 | Revalidation Course | Simulator course included |
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# Table of contents
Section 2: Information applicable to all DP Operator Training Schemes...13
Section 3: Offshore Training Scheme...16
Section 4: DP Self-Elevating Platform (Jack-up) Training Scheme...22
Section 5: Shuttle Tanker Training Scheme...25
Section 6: Revalidation criteria and conversion routes for DP certificates...28
Annex A – DP Induction Course...38
Annex B – DP Simulator Course...53
Annex C – Sea Time Reduction Course...79
Annex D – Shuttle Tanker Course A...97
Annex E – Shuttle Tanker Course B...104
Annex F – DP Revalidation Course...112
Annex G – DP Emergency Shiphandling Course...133
Annex H – Training and Certification Scheme for Key Technical DP Personnel
(The DP Vessel Maintainer Course)...147
Annex I – DPVM Revalidation Course...181
Annex J – Training and Certification Scheme for DP Station keeping
Systems for Remote Operations (Remote DP Operator Certificate)...210
Annex K – Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Revalidation of
the Nautical Institute DP Operator Certificate and DPVM Certificates...228
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# 1 Introduction to the dynamic positioning operator training
## 1.1 Introduction to the Dynamic Positioning Operator Training Standard
This document provides guidance on the Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) Training Scheme for providers wishing to be accredited to deliver training and for prospective DPOs.
The DP Accreditation and Certification schemes were developed by The Nautical Institute (The NI), working in association with flag states, the oil industry, the diving industry and offshore contractors to establish internationally accepted standards. It has been operational for more than 30 years.
The NI's Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) Training Scheme is an industry-recognised professional development route to becoming a qualified DPO. The scheme is managed by The NI for the benefit of the industry and includes the DPO certification criteria and processes and sets out the accreditation procedure for training providers against agreed standards. Until 2013, it was the only training scheme for DPOs accepted internationally by the offshore industry and DPO certification by The NI is often stated as a requirement by DP vessel charterers.
In September 1983, the scheme was adopted as an internationally accepted standard for any DSV or other DP-operated vessel working within 500 meters of any offshore installation by 105 out of 110 oil industry and major oil company representatives at a working conference in Aberdeen. It was rapidly recognised by the oil Industry on a worldwide basis. Less than a month after the Aberdeen conference, the scheme was accepted as an official guideline by the then Minister of Energy for the UK North Sea operations. Shortly afterwards, it was also adopted by other North Sea operating flag states.
The NI has developed this standard in view of the IMO including DP training within Part B of the STCW Code and Convention (see end of this section). These standards have been developed and kept up-to-date with the full engagement and cooperation of all key stakeholders by working through the Dynamic Positioning Training Executive Group (DPTEG) and its regional training provider (RTP) groups.
## 1.2 The International Safety Management (ISM) Code and dynamic positioning (DP) training
The scheme is considered as initial training towards the DP Certificate. Further training and experience should be provided by the company as per IMCA M117 guidelines and the ISM Code.
The objectives of the ISM Code are to ensure safety of life at sea, prevent human injury or loss of life and avoid damage to the environment, in particular to the marine environment.
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Section 1: Introduction to the DP operator training
All companies operating and/or owning ships must:
- Provide for safe practices in ship operations and a safe working environment.
- Establish safeguards against all identified risks.
- Continuously improve safety management skills of personnel ashore and onboard ships, including preparing for emergencies related to both safety and environmental protection.
- Comply with all mandatory rules and regulations.
- Ensure that applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by IMO, flag states, classification societies and marine organisations are taken into account.
In regard to DP training, the ship operator, whether owner or charterer, must ensure that the DPO undertakes the required initial training, including shore courses (Induction and Simulator), and that the operator is completely familiar with the equipment installed on the ship, both for normal operations and emergency situations.
The NI does not provide DP training. Instead, it accredits training institutions to provide training to trainee DPOs. A list of accredited DP training providers can be found on The NI's website, http://www.nialexisplatform.org
The DP Operator Training Scheme requires the completion of a number of components and the participation of many parties, namely the prospective DPO, the vessel owner/operator, the Master and DPOs of DP vessels and the training centres. This document provides guidance to these parties on the requirements and operation of the scheme. The NI issues the final DP Certificate to prospective DPOs upon satisfactory completion of all training phases.
This certification scheme applies to prospective DPOs who started the new Offshore Scheme after 1 January 2015 and hold the grey logbook, as well as trainees who have opted to transfer from the old to the new Offshore Scheme.
### 1.3 The composition and role of DPTEG
To ensure that the scheme continues to meet current industry needs, the Dynamic Positioning Training Executive Group (DPTEG) was established to facilitate communication and input from a broad range of stakeholders.
The group is a pan-industry forum of training providers, trade organisations and professional associations that have a remit or interest in DP training. It is self-funded from fees from accredited DP training providers and currently meets twice a year.
DPTEG's remit is to:
- Review and develop the DP Operator Training Scheme in respect to an ever-changing maritime industry and regulatory environment.
- Evaluate its effectiveness in providing the DP industry with trained DP operators.
- Make decisions and implement actions to improve the DP Operator Training Scheme and promote best practice.
- Make decisions on a consensus basis.
- Promote the standing of the DPO Training Scheme in the best interests of the industry.
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Section 1: Introduction to the DP operator training
DPTEG member organisations are:
- International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC).
- International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
- International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).
- International Support Vessel Owners' Association (ISOA).
- Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF).
- Workboat Association (Wa)
- Cruise Line International Association (CLIA)
- The Professional Yachting Association(PYA)
- Accredited DP training providers represented by regional training provider (RTP) representatives in America, Europe and Asia, and The Nautical Institute.
Other organisations may be invited to join DPTEG, as appropriate. The DPTEG operates in accordance with its terms of reference. For guidance and procedures, see Annex 10 in Volume 2 of the Nautical Institute Accreditation and Certification Standard.
## 1.4 The role of the Nautical Institute
The NI facilitates accreditation of DP training centres, certification of DPOs and consensus-building among DPTEG members and administers the schemes in accordance with the criteria agreed by DPTEG.
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Section 1: Introduction to the DP operator training
## 1.5 The role of regional training providers (RTPs)
The Nautical Institute approved training providers are located worldwide. Given their global distribution, it is impractical for all training providers to convene regularly in a single location. Accordingly, training providers are grouped into the following regions:
- Asia and Australasia.
Each region shall elect a Group Representative/Coordinator, whose role is to communicate DPTEG developments to the regional group and to gather concerns and responses from training providers. These matters shall be relayed to DPTEG or proposed for inclusion on the DPTEG meeting agenda, as appropriate. Communication with training providers within the region shall be conducted via email or web-based forums and relayed by the same means to the DPTEG Chair or other relevant individuals or groups, as appropriate.
Each of the three Regional Training Providers (RTPs) shall hold one online meeting annually. In addition, The Nautical Institute shall organise one global face-to-face meeting each year. As a condition of accreditation, each training centre shall attend the annual online meeting and shall send a representative to a global face-to-face meeting at least once every three years. Where a training centre is unable to send a represen