The easiest way to find out if a certificate has been issued by a Marlins Approved Test Centre is to enter the licence code in the box on the front page at www.marlinstests.com:
For more information on validating certificates, please see our support article, "How do I validate a Marlins test certificate?".
As of January 2022, Marlins has issued four distinctly different certificate formats, to provide quality assurance to companies and flag states.
This allows individuals and other companies to continue using the test for practice, training or internal purposes.
| Approved Certificate Format | Standard (Non-Approved) Certificate Format | Proctored Certificate Format |
Fig 1. Approved Standard Certificate |  Fig 2. Standard (Non-Approved) Certificate |  Fig 3. Proctored Certificate |
Approved Certificates
Only Marlins Approved Test Centres are able to issue the approved certificate format (see Fig 1).
Marlins Approved Test Centres have all been formally inspected by a Marlins representative. They carry out Marlins testing under strict exam conditions and maintain accurate records, which can be inspected or requested by the UK MCA and other flag state authorities.
The certificate can be identified by a number of features:
- The candidate's name and score will sit over a unique text watermark, which includes the candidate's details.
- The navy blue Marlins ATC logo only appears on the Approved Standard Certificate format (Fig 1).
- The bottom of the certificate includes space for a stamp, date and signature that the test administrator will compete.
- The line on the certificate details that normally reads "Company" will say "Approved Test Centre".
The approved certificates should be the only format accepted by shipping, cruise or offshore companies who employ third party manning agencies. This format gives companies the reassurance that the test was conducted under exam conditions and that the result is reliable.
For best results and the most accurate picture of a candidate's English language ability, all approved certificates should be accompanied by a Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE) certificate.
Standard Certificates
Companies and individuals who self-register at www.marlinstests.com to purchase and administer tests will only receive the standard format of certificate (see Fig 2). The standard format of certificate is not accepted by flag state authorities such as the UK MCA and some companies.
The reason for this is that any individual can purchase a test, anywhere in the world, and take that test where they choose - whether that is at work, at school, or at home. As such, individuals who are not supervised while testing may be tempted to seek assistance from friends/family members, or may use the Internet or a dictionary for answers.
If companies are carrying out testing in their own offices for internal use only, this certificate format may prove sufficient.
Proctored Certificates
Marlins also offers the option to purchase a remotely proctored English Language Test, which results in a certificate with a pale blue 'AI Proctored' stamp (see Fig 3). These can be purchased by business accounts only.
For more information on AI Proctoring, please see our article on Proctored English Language Tests.