Colorado Boating Course
The Colorado boating safety certificate (also referred to as the Colorado Boaters License) is proof that a boater has demonstrated basic boating knowledge by passing an approved boating safety course and exam.
Youths age 14 and 15 must get the certificate to legally operate a motorboat in Colorado. It is obtained by passing a proctored exam in a classroom setting. For a schedule of classes and exams, check the Colorado State Parks website.
You must be 14 years of age to take a proctored exam in a classroom setting and get the state-issued boating safety certificate.
You must be 16 years of age to take the online boat safety exam and get a boater education card.
The online Certification Exam costs $29.50—one time only, after you pass. There is no charge for the Colorado boater education card.
Your Colorado boater education card will be mailed to your home within 5–7 days after you pass the exam.
Upon passing the exam, you will be able to immediately print out a temporary boater education card online.
A duplicate can be issued for a $10 charge if the student took (and passed) the Boat Colorado online course. To obtain a duplicate Colorado card, mail the request with a check for $10, payable to Boat Colorado, to:
Boat Colorado
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.
The following operator age and boater education requirements apply to operation of vessels on Colorado’s public waters.
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.
