Welcome to Boat Ed Virginia

Learn online, print your temporary certificate, and be on the water in just a few hours.

$29.50Course fee after you pass

When you pass, immediately print out a temporary certificate, with your permanent card arriving by mail in 5–7 business days.

Start the Course

  • Fun and Easy to Use
  • Live-Action Videos
  • Interactive Animations
  • Course of Virginia DGIF
  • The Official Course
  • Pay Only If You Pass
  • Study at Home for Free
  • Complete at Your Own Pace

Approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators

The Boat Ed Virginia online course has been approved and accepted for certification of Virginia boaters by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) since 2001. This official online course uses the same course content as the classroom course offered by the DGIF.

With this safe boating course, you'll be on the water with your Virginia boater education certificate in just a few, fun hours.

Pay $29.50—one time only, after you pass. When you pass, you may instantly print out a temporary certificate.

You will receive your permanent Virginia boater education certificate by mail within 5–7 business days.

Need more info about the safe boating course? Visit the “FAQs” page.

Prefer a Video Course?

Boat Virginia is the official home-study, DVD boating course of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Learn more.

Who Needs a Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate?

  • As of July 1, 2009, all PWC operators 20 years old and younger must complete a boating safety course. This is the beginning of the phase-in of the Education Compliance Requirement for all Virginia boaters. Learn more.
  • PWC Age Restriction: No person under the age of 14 may operate a PWC. Those operators 14 and 15 MUST show proof of completing an approved and accepted boating safety course either in a classroom or online. The challenge exam or other provisions of the Education Compliance Requirement do not meet the requirements of the age restriction law.

Need more info about Virginia boating law? Visit the “Laws” page.

Read testimonials for Boat Ed.