Virginia Boating Laws and Boat Course Requirements

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

By July 1, 2009, passing an approved boating safety course is required of operators ages 20 or younger to operate a personal watercraft (PWC). The Boat Virginia course meets these requirements and is the same course taught in Virginia classrooms.

As of July 1, 2009, all PWC operators 20 years old and younger must complete a boating safety course. This is the beginning of the phase-in of the Education Compliance Requirement for all Virginia boaters.

• PWC operators 35 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2010.
• PWC operators 50 years of age or younger and motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2011.
• All PWC operators, regardless of age, and motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2012.
• Motorboat operators 40 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2013.
• Motorboat operators 45 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2014.
• Motorboat operators 50 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2015.
• All motorboat operators,regardless of age,shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2016.

Even if not required by law to meet the Virginia boating education requirement, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance.

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

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

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 4: Virginia'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 completed the course online and passed each unit quiz, you may print a temporary course completion certificate from your computer. Your Virginia boating safety education certificate will be mailed to your home within 5–7 business days after you pass the exam.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

You’re at the right place, because the my.Boat-ed.com Virginia online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the Virginia Department of Game and Fisheries. 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 Virginia boating safety education certificate?

• Read Frequently Asked Questions about the Virginia boater's license;
• Contact the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries;
• Contact Boat Ed, and we'll be glad to answer any of your questions about the Virginia boater's license or boating license requirements in other states.