To become eligible for a Certificate of Competency, a seafarer must have established knowledge and experience (service) and have taken certain training courses. The requirements vary depending on the post, although the same requirements are internationally applicable. These have been laid down in the STCW-95 Convention and Code, the Dutch translation of which is known as the Zeevaartbemanningswet (Dutch Manning act).

Additional requirements for the application for a equivalent certificate of competency for foreign officers:
In order to apply for a Dutch Certificate of Competency, masters, first mates and chief engineers who qualified abroad require some knowledge of Dutch legislation. Certification that one has attained this minimum level of knowledge can be obtained by sitting a Dutch Law Examination.

The Transport and Water Management Inspectorate transferred administration of the Dutch law examinition to the following two educational institutes:

• Nova College 
• Scheepvaart en Transport College