I just renewed.
Mailed the application on April 8th and got my new license yesterday 4/23.
I got an email every time my application cleared a step. It was very effecient.
The key is make sure your application is complete, and this is easier said than done.
on the USCG website they have "checklists" for renewing, only problem is they didnt have one for my 200T NC license. So I called the National center in Virginia and ask what was needed, and I was given false information.
Specifically the person i talked to said I had to submit a recent drug test and that proof of enrollment in a drug test program for 60 of the last 185 days was NOT acceptable. This is wrong, I submitted a letter from my drug test administrator, and it was accepted.
I found that the best resource for info was to call your local REC and ask questions. All applications get mailed to the local REC and it is their job to verify they are complete, so they are the best source of info. Finding the phone # for your local REC is not easy though since on the USCG website the # they list for the local place is actually the National office. I just calle the NMC and asked for the local REC # and they gave it to me, reluctantly.
I was not required to submit my CPR info since I am a renewal.
RE: convictions
I listed and gave statments about the convictions I had before my original license, just like I did for my original issue. Reading the application instructions it is not clear whether this is required or not, so I did it just to be safe. I later earned that you do not need to list any convictiosn that you listed on prior applications. | 
