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Official Maryland Boater Safety Course

Get your Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education online, approved by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Developed by Boat-Ed© to meet official guidelines set by NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard

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Do I need a Boating License in Maryland?

Requirements
Born July 1, 1972 or later
Operating a boat or PWC in Maryland
Certificate required while operating

In Maryland: anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must have a certificate of boating safety education in their possession while operating a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters. Anyone under 16 operating a motorized vessel 11 feet or longer without a valid certificate must be supervised by an adult who meets Maryland’s boating education requirements. Learn more at: Maryland Boating Laws and Regulations

3 Easy Steps

Your Path to Certification

01

Enroll

Create your Boat-Ed account, pay the course fee, and access your student dashboard to begin your boating safety course right away.

02

Study and Pass

Study the course material, pass the final exam, and print your temporary Maryland Boater Education Certificate immediately. It’s valid for 90 days while your permanent certificate ships.

03

Get on the Water

That’s it! You’re ready to confidently and legally operate a boat. Your certification is valid for life and must be with you while operating. You’ll also get access to exclusive offers on additional courses and products.

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How It Works

A Better Way to Learn Boating Safety

Modern visuals, clear instruction, and updated safety content help make important boating topics easier to understand and remember, with most courses completed in 3-4 hours.

Learn the parts of a boat, fueling, trailering, boat capacity, and essential preparation before getting underway. 

Understand navigation rules, markers, sound signals, lights, anchoring, and safe operation on the water.

Cover boating laws, operator responsibilities, life jackets, emergency equipment, and legal operating requirements.

Learn how to handle capsizing, cold-water immersion, fire emergencies, collisions, and rescue situations.

Explore safe participation in watersports, paddling, fishing, tubing, and other on-water activities.

Prepare with quizzes and practice tests before completing the final certification exam.

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A Faster, More Immersive Way to Get Certified

Boat-Ed+ brings your official boater education to life with a virtual instructor, real-world scenarios, and on-the-water simulations. Like Boat-Ed, it’s state-approved and self-paced, with a more interactive format designed to help you move through certification smoothly, build confidence, and get on the water sooner.

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4.8 ★ 245k Reviews

What Boaters are Saying

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“Easy to study and follow on your own time”

Gina F.
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“Super convenient and easy course to follow! So glad I was able to take this course at my own pace!”

Jamie L.
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“The course was helpful and engaging, and use multiple learning tools”

Jose C.
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“Quick and simple process”

Eric H.

Popular Questions

How to get a Maryland boating license? 

To earn your Maryland Boater Education Certificate, often called a Maryland boating license, you must complete an approved boating safety course and pass the final exam. After passing, you can print a temporary certificate that is valid for 90 days while your permanent certificate is mailed to you.

Is the Maryland Boat-Ed course approved?

Yes. The Maryland Boat-Ed course is approved and accepted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

What are the boating laws in Maryland?

Maryland boating laws require anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, to carry a boating safety education certificate while operating a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters. All recreational vessels must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board, and children under 13 years old must wear one while underway on a recreational vessel under 21 feet long.

How much does a Maryland boating license cost?

The total cost for the Maryland Boat-Ed course is $54.95.

What is the minimum age to get a Maryland boating license?

There is no minimum age requirement to take the online course. However, Maryland has age and supervision rules for operators under 16, including supervision requirements for anyone under 16 operating certain motorized vessels without a valid boating safety certificate.

What are the penalties for operating a boat without a Maryland boating license?

Operating without a required Maryland Boater Education Certificate may result in fines and penalties. Boaters should carry proof of certification when required and be prepared to show it during enforcement checks.

Do you need a license to drive a boat in Maryland?

Yes, in certain cases. In Maryland, required boaters must carry a Maryland Boater Education Certificate. This is commonly referred to as a “boating license.”

How long does the Maryland boater safety course take?

Most students complete the Maryland boating safety course in 3 to 4 hours. The course is self-paced, your progress is saved, and you can start and stop at any time.

Do I have to be a Maryland resident to take this course?

No. You do not have to be a Maryland resident to take the online Maryland Boat-Ed course.

Is my Maryland Boater Education Certificate accepted in other states?

Yes. Maryland Boater Education Certificates that meet National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) requirements are recognized nationwide and across Canada through reciprocity.

What happens if I fail a quiz or exam?

If you fail a unit quiz, you’ll restudy the unit and retake the quiz until you pass. You must score at least 80% on unit quizzes and at least 80% on the final exam, with unlimited attempts to pass.

When will I receive my permanent Maryland Boater Education Certificate?

Your permanent Maryland Boater Education Certificate will arrive within 3 to 5 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

How do I replace a lost or damaged Maryland Boater Education Certificate?

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Maryland Boater Education Certificate, go to ilostmycard.com.

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Join 2 Million+ Boaters Certified with Boat-Ed

Maryland Department of Natural Resources United States Coast Guard  NASBLA

This official Boat-Ed course was developed with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, approved to meet state requirements, and built to follow guidelines from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the United States Coast Guard. Since 1995, Boat-Ed has helped millions of students get certified with credentials recognized nationwide.

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