California Boating Regulations and Laws

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

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 & 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 & Waterways. Proof of completion and passage of the course must be submitted to the court within seven months of the time of the conviction.

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

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

Laws and regulations concerning operating a personal watercraft or vessel, required equipment, vessel registration and much more can be found in the course material and on the California Department of Boating & Waterways website.

How do I take a safe boating exam and get my boating safety education certificate?

• Internet: You can take study over the Internet then take the California online boating exam. Once you pass, your California boating safety education certificate is mailed to your home.
• Classroom: Share the learning experience with other boaters and a qualified instructor. Please visit the California Department of Boating & Waterways website to locate the next safe boating classroom course in your area.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

You’re at the right place, because the Boat California online safe boating course was developed specifically for the California Department of Boating & Waterways. All the required safe boating course material to get your boating safety education certificate is available for free online. Please visit our California safe boating course introductory page to find out about the boater exam process.

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

• Read Frequently Asked Questions about the California boater’s license;
• Contact the California Department of Boating & Waterways;
• Contact Boat Ed, and we’ll be glad to answer any of your questions about the California boater’s license or boating license requirements in other states.

Who needs a California boat license? What are the age requirements for operating different types of vessels?

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:

• Persons 12 to 15 years of age may operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including personal watercraft, if they are supervised on board by a person at least 18 years of age.
• There is no age restriction for operating a sailboat under 30 ft. long (with wind as the main source of propulsion) or a dinghy used between a moored vessel and shore or between two moored vessels.

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.