46 U.S.C. § 7508: Authority to extend the duration of medical certificates

(a) Granting of Extensions.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may extend for not more than one year a medical certificate issued to an individual holding a license, merchant mariner’s document, or certificate of registry issued under chapter 71 or 73 if the Secretary determines that the extension is required to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in processing applications for medical certificates or is in response to a national emergency or natural disaster. (b) Manner of Extension.—An extension under this section may be granted to an individual or a specifically identified group of individuals.