It’s the Law!

Any person under the age of 26 must complete a NASBLA approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 HP or greater.

Even if not required by law to get the North Carolina boating license, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance.

You Must Carry the Card

Vessel operators who are required to have a Boater Education Card must carry the card on board the vessel and have it available for inspection by an enforcement officer.

Reciprocity

All states that have mandatory boater education requirements will accept the North Carolina Boater Education Card. Likewise North Carolina will accept boating education cards that are issued by states that meet NASBLA requirements.

Quick Links

Complete the Course

Step One Register for the course, study the free online course material, and pass the North Carolina boating license final exam. (If you don’t pass on the first try, don’t worry. Keep taking the exam for free until you pass.)

Print Temporary Certificate

Step Two After passing and paying the $29.50 course fee, you’ll instantly print out a temporary certificate, which is your temporary operating permit to operate legally on North Carolina waters while you wait for your permanent card to arrive.

Get on the Water!

Step Three Your North Carolina Boater Education Card will arrive in the mail in 8-10 business days. While waiting, your temporary certificate (the Temporary Boater Education Certificate) you printed in Step Two will serve as your proof to legally operate on North Carolina waters.

A duplicate can be issued for a $10 charge if you have taken (and passed) the Boat North Carolina Course. To obtain a duplicate North Carolina Boater Education Certificate, mail the request with a check for $10, payable to Boat North Carolina to:

Boat North Carolina
14086 Proton Road
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. You may reach us by phone at 1-800-830-2268 (toll-free) or 214-351-0461. Our office hours are 8:30 to 5:30 Central Time, Monday through Friday, with extended hours during late spring and summer season.