30 CFR § 556.401 - What do I need to show to become qualified to hold a lease on the OCS and obtain a qualification number?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t30/s556.401"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "30 CFR § 556.401 - What do I need to show to become qualified to hold a lease on the OCS and obtain a qualification number?"
title_number: 30
title_name: "Mineral Resources"
section_number: "556.401"
section_name: "What do I need to show to become qualified to hold a lease on the OCS and obtain a qualification number?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "OFFSHORE"
part_number: "556"
part_name: "LEASING OF SULFUR OR OIL AND GAS AND FINANCIAL ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "31 U.S.C. 9701; 42 U.S.C. 6213; 43 U.S.C. 1334."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 18152, Mar. 30, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "556"
---


# 556.401 What do I need to show to become qualified to hold a lease on the OCS and obtain a qualification number?

(a) You may become qualified to hold a lease on the OCS and obtain a qualification number in accordance with § 556.402, if you submit evidence demonstrating that you are:

(1) A natural person who is a citizen or national of the United States;

(2) A natural person who is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20);

(3) A private, public, or municipal corporation or Limited Liability Company or Limited Liability Corporation (either/both sometimes herein referred to as “LLC”) organized under the laws of any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any territory or insular possession subject to United States jurisdiction;

(4) An association of such citizens, nationals, resident aliens, or corporations;

(5) A State, the District of Columbia, or any territory or insular possession subject to United States jurisdiction;

(6) A political subdivision of a State, the District of Columbia, or any territory or insular possession subject to United States jurisdiction; or

(7) A Trust organized under the laws of any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any territory or insular possession subject to United States jurisdiction;

(b) Statements and evidence submitted to demonstrate qualification under paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section are subject to the penalties of 18 U.S.C. 1001.

(b) BOEM may issue you a qualification number after you have provided evidence acceptable to BOEM.