How Much Does an ENG1 Medical Cost in 2026? (Fee Cap Explained)
The price of an ENG1 is regulated. Here is what you should actually be charged, and the extras that can push it higher.
- The maximum fee for a standard ENG1 examination in the UK is £115, set by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
- A clinic may charge less than £115 but cannot charge more for the standard examination.
- Extra assessments are charged separately: a Chester Step fitness test is typically £25 to £60, a drug-and-alcohol screen £40 to £90.
- A replacement or duplicate certificate usually costs £20 to £40.
- Employers who require an employee to hold an ENG1 normally pay the examination fee.
- The £115 cap does not apply to the OEUK (OGUK) offshore medical, which usually costs £140 to £220.
The £115 fee cap
The ENG1 examination fee is set by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency under the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations. The current maximum for a standard examination is £115. A clinic can charge below the cap to compete, but it cannot charge above it for the standard ENG1.
That cap covers the examination itself and the issue of the certificate. It does not oblige a clinic to include add-on tests for free.
What can cost extra
| Item | Typical extra cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Step fitness test | £25–£60 | Usually if BMI is over 30, or the doctor has a fitness concern |
| Drug & alcohol screen | £40–£90 | If your employer or flag state requires one alongside the medical |
| Duplicate / replacement certificate | £20–£40 | Lost or damaged certificate |
| Colour-vision (CAD) test | £40–£100 | Only if you want to challenge a failed Ishihara result; done at a specialist centre |
Who pays?
If you are employed and your company sends you for the medical, they normally cover the fee — the MLC framework expects the employer to bear the cost of a required medical. If you are booking your own ENG1 to start a course, a cadetship or a job search, you usually pay yourself and claim it back later if you are taken on.
Does price vary by region?
The cap is national, so a standard ENG1 should cost roughly the same in Aberdeen as in Southampton. What varies is availability — in busy maritime hubs you can often get an appointment within a day or two; elsewhere you may wait a week or travel further.
ENG1 vs OEUK/OGUK medical cost
The OEUK medical (formerly OGUK) for offshore energy workers is a separate, industry-set examination and is not capped at £115 — it typically costs £140–£220 depending on the clinic and whether a Chester Step test is included. If you work offshore you may need both. See ENG1 vs ML5 vs OEUK.
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