Seafarer documentsCertificates and qualifications
First-Class Radio Electronic Certificate
FREC
- ITU RR 47.20; STCW IV/2
- Brief entry
- Checked 6 October 2026
- Document type
- Radio operator certificate
- Validity
- As issued; competence shown every 5 years
- Names in other countries
- 5 countries
Brief entry: the name, code, purpose and source. A full entry will follow.
Contents3
1 What it covers
Certifies radio-operator competence for the communication and safety functions covered by this class.1–3
Who needs it. Radio operators and deck officers assigned the relevant radio communication duties.1–3
2 Validity and renewal
Document validity. The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates.
Maintaining competence. To keep serving at sea on ships under STCW, the holder revalidates this certificate at intervals not exceeding 5 years.4
3 Names in 5 countries
How national systems name this document. The original name is given where the source has it; the English name is our editorial rendering.
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| Estonia | Esimese klassi raadioelektrooniku diplomRadioelectronic Diploma, Class 1Issued by: Transpordiamet · source |
| Spain | Oficial Radioelectrónico de Primera Clase de la Marina MercanteMerchant marine radio-electronic officer 1st classIssued by: Dirección General de la Marina Mercante · source |
| Bulgaria | GMDSS Radioelectronic Certificate, First Classsource |
| Algeria | Certificat de radioélectronicien de 1ère classeFirst-Class Radioelectronic CertificateIssued by: Agence nationale des fréquences · source |
| Hong Kong | First-Class Radio Electronic CertificateIssued by: Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) · source |