Washington Boating Course
The Washington boater education card (commonly known as the Washington boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boater education course.
No one may operate or permit the operation of a power-driven vessel with an engine that is 15 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft, unless the operator is at least 12 years of age if the vessel is not a personal watercraft or is at least 14 years of age if the vessel is a personal watercraft and ... the person has in his or her possession a boater education card (if required) or ... is accompanied by and is under the direct supervision of a person at least 16 years of age who has a boater education card or who is not yet required to have the card.
Washington's boater education law is being phased in by operator age over several years as shown below. After January 1, 2014, all boaters, unless exempt, must have a Washington Boater Education Card. Washington's Phase-in schedule is as follows:
Even if not required by law to get the Washington 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 Washington a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the Boater Washington 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 Unit 4 of the Boat Ed Washington course content.
Once you pass, you will be given the option to apply and pay for your lifetime card online for an additional $10.00 state fee and $0.50 processing fee. Your lifetime Boater Education Card will be mailed to you by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission within 6 weeks. Purchasing your lifetime card is Step 2 in the certification process.
You’re at the right place, because the Boater Washington online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for Washington Parks and Recreation. All the required safe boating course material to get your boater education certificate is available for free online. Please visit our Washington safe boating course introductory page to find out about the boater exam process.
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.
