Wisconsin Boating Laws and Boat Course Requirements

The Wisconsin Boating Safety Education Certificate (commonly known as the Wisconsin boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boating safety course.

A Boating Safety Education Certificate issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources must be carried on board the vessel by all persons required to have passed a state-approved boating safety education course.

Who Needs a Wisconsin Boating Safety Education Certificate?

A person at least 12 years old but less than 16 years old may operate a motorboat only if accompanied by a parent, guardian or a person at least 18 years old designated by the parent or guardian or he or she has completed a boating safety course accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
A person born after January 1, 1989 and at least 16 years old may operate a motorboat only if he or she has completed a boating safety course accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
A person 10 or 11 years old may operate a motorboat only if accompanied by a parent, guardian or a person at least 18 years old designated by the parent or guardian.
No one under the age of 10 may operate a motorboat.

Even if not required by law to get the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the my.Boat-Ed.com Wisconsin course and practice what you learn.

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

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: The 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 course completion certificate from your computer. The certificate will serve as your temporary operating permit until you are mailed a Boating Safety Education Certificate from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

You're at the right place, because the my.Boat-Ed.com Wisconsin online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources classroom boating courses. All the required safe boating course material to get your boater education certificate is available online.

Where can I get more information about the Wisconsin boater education certificate?

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

Who needs a Wisconsin boat license, and what can they operate once they get their boater education certificate?

Wisconsin boating safety education requirements and laws about operating a boat or PWC are explained in detail in the online course, Unit 5: The Legal Requirements of Boating.