1. Study and Pass the Wisconsin Boater Safety Course

   Study the free online course material. After completing the course, you’ll take the Wisconsin Final Exam. (If you don’t pass on the first try, don’t worry. Keep taking the exam for free until you pass.)

   Important! You'll need your WI DNR Customer Number to complete the course. Call WI DNR at 1-888-936-7463 between 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM or visit a DNR service center to get yours.

2. Pay and Print Your Temporary Certificate

   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 Wisconsin waters while you wait for your permanent card to arrive.

3. Receive Your Boater Education Card in the Mail

   Your lifetime Wisconsin Boating Safety Education Certificate will arrive by mail in 6 weeks. (Use your Boating Safety Education Certificate to get on the water immediately after passing the course and until your permanent card arrives.)

   Ready? Start the Course Today →

Quick Links

Boating Basics Instruction

The Boat Wisconsin Course features easy-to-understand boating safety instructions and hundreds of detailed illustrations to help you improve your boating skills and become a better, more prepared skipper.

This online boating safety course is based on the Boat Wisconsin - A Course on Responsible Boating, which was developed and printed by Boat Ed specifically for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for use in classroom instruction.

Boat Ed is the only boating safety education course and exam provider that develops print materials on behalf of state government boating and boater safety agencies.

• This is the same course that is used by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for classroom instruction.
• Boat Ed is the only boating safety course provider that develops print materials on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Comprehensive Boater Education Content

This Wisconsin boater education course covers a range of topics—from safety instructions to boat handling to reading the weather—and prepares you for a variety of situations you could find yourself in while on the water.

Whether or not you are required to complete Wisconsin’s boating safety course requirement, all boaters have a responsibility to learn about boat operation, communication, navigation, and life-saving techniques before taking to the water.

Because educated boaters are safer boaters, completing this Wisconsin-approved online course can also earn you a discount on your boat and PWC insurance.

• Learn the rules of the water to have a safe and enjoyable day boating in Wisconsin.
• 
  Free boat safety exam training material recognized by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Video Instruction

The Wisconsin online boater education study guide and course feature context-based video instruction to enhance your retention and motivation. You will watch live-action videos of boat and PWC operators preparing for an outing, using good judgement, and reacting to unexpected changes.

• Sample course instructional video, “Casting Off”
• Sample course instructional video, “Capsizing, Swamping, or Falling Overboard”

Interactive Animations

Learning in this Wisconsin boater safety course is reinforced by the use of interactive animations that help students understand safe boating skills such as casting off and docking, understanding traffic laws on the water, dealing with emergencies, and more.

• Sample course instructional animation, “Tying Knots”
• Sample course instructional animation, “Personal Watercraft Overtaking”

It’s Official and Approved!

This online boater education course is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as an approved online boating license course.

It’s the Law!

Wisconsin law enforcement officers patrol the waterways to make your boating experience safe and pleasant. Cooperate with them by following the Wisconsin boating laws and guidelines in this course.

It’s Fast and Easy!

With this complete boater course, finish your classroom boating safety educational requirement at your own pace on your mobile device or computer in a just a few hours. Complete the course in one sitting or a little at a time. It’s up to you.

It’s Made in the USA!

This Wisconsin boat license safety course is proudly made in Dallas, Texas, USA, and our servers and data storage facilities are located within the USA Recreational boating is truly one of America’s favorite pastimes and a freedom we all should continue to enjoy.