California Boating Course
The California boater education card (also referred to as the California boaters license) is proof that a boater has demonstrated basic boating knowledge by passing an approved boating safety course and exam.
Any person convicted of any moving violation in the Harbors and Navigation Code, the Federal Rules of the Road and regulations adopted by the California Department of Boating and Waterways while operating a vessel must be ordered by the court to complete and pass a boating safety course approved by the Department of Boating and Waterways. Proof of completion and passage of the course must be submitted to the court within seven months of the time of the conviction.
This boating safety course will satisfy court-ordered mandatory boater education required by California law when a boater is convicted of a moving violation.
There is no minimum age requirement to take the online boating test.
The online Certification Exam costs $29.50—one time only, after you pass. There is no charge for the California boater education card.
Your California boater education card will be mailed to your home within 5–7 business days after you pass the exam.
Yes. When you pass, you may instantly print out a temporary boater education card good for 60 days.
A duplicate can be issued for a $10 charge if the student took (and passed) the Boat California online course. To obtain a duplicate California card, mail the request with a check for $10, payable to Boat California, to:
Boat California
14086 Proton Rd.
Dallas, TX 75244
Be sure to include the student’s full name and date of birth in the mailed request for a duplicate card. You may also phone Customer Service to request the duplicate and pay by credit card.
California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs).
Exceptions to this law are:
It is illegal to permit a person under the age of 16 to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including personal watercraft, without onboard supervision by a person 18 years of age or older.
All boat-ed content has been developed in conjunction with the state boating safety agencies responsible for boater education, and is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.
