Georgia Boating Course
The Georgia boater certification card (commonly known as a Georgia boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boating safety course.
Georgia law places restrictions on boat and PWC operation for those under 16 years of age. In some cases, passing an approved boating safety course allows youth to operate without being under direct adult supervision. The Boat Georgia course meets these requirements and is the same course taught in Georgia classrooms.
Even if not required by law to get the Georgia 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 Georgia a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the Boat Georgia course and practice what you learn.
Laws and regulations concerning operating a personal watercraft or vessel, required equipment, vessel registration and much more can be found in the course material or on the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website.
You’re at the right place, because the Boat Georgia online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. All the required safe boating course material to get your boater certification card is available for free online. Please visit our Georgia safe boating course introductory page to find out about the boater exam process.
Persons 16 years of age or older may operate any boat on the waters of Georgia if they have proper identification on board.
Competent adult: A person of age 18 or older who is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and who is carrying proper identification.
Direct supervision: Within sight of and within 400 yards of a person who is aware of his or her supervisory responsibility.
Proper identification: means a driver’s license (or legible copy) or any other government issued identification that contains a description of the person, a photograph and birthdate.
Persons less than 12 years of age may not legally operate a PWC.
Persons 12 to 15 years of age may legally operate a PWC only if they:
Persons 16 years of age or older may operate a PWC on the waters of Georgia if they have proper identification on board.
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.
