Pennsylvania Boating Laws and Boat Course Requirements

The Pennsylvania boating safety education certificate (commonly known as a Pennsylvania boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boating safety course.

Boating safety education certificates are required of the following operators:

• Persons born on or after January 1, 1982, may not operate boats powered by a motor greater than 25 hp unless they have in their possession a boating safety education certificate.
• Residents of other states who were born on or after January 1, 1982, and operate on Pennsylvania waters for 60 days or less are exempt if they hold a boating safety certificate issued by their home state.
• Anyone operating a PWC on Pennsylvania public waters must have in their possession a boating safety education certificate.

Even if not required by law to get the Pennsylvania boating license, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance.

Do your part to make boating in Pennsylvania a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the Boat Pennsylvania course and practice what you learn.

How do I learn about the legal requirements of boating in Pennsylvania?

Laws and regulations concerning operating a personal watercraft or vessel, required equipment, vessel registration and much more are covered in the online course in Unit 5: Pennsylvania's Legal Requirements of Boating.

How do I take a safe boating exam and get my boater education card?

You can study over the Internet using the online boating safety course. Once you have successfully completed the course online and the Final Exam, you may print a temporary course completion certificate from your computer. Your permanent Pennsylvania boating safety education certificate will be mailed to your home within 4-6 weeks.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

You're at the right place, because the my.Boat-Ed.com Pennsylvania online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. All the required safe boating course material to get your boating safety education certificate is available online.

Where can I get more information about the Pennsylvania boating safety education certificate?

• Read Frequently Asked Questions about the Pennsylvania boater's license;
• Contact the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission;
• Contact Boat Ed, and we'll be glad to answer any of your questions about the Pennsylvania boater's license or boating license requirements in other states.