Official Alabama Boater Safety Course

To earn your Alabama Boat Operator’s Certificate, often called an Alabama boating license, you must complete an approved boating safety course and obtain the required “V” class endorsement through Alabama. After passing the online course, you can print your Proof of Home Study Voucher, which is valid for 365 days.

Yes. The Alabama Boat-Ed course is approved and accepted by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division.

Alabama boating laws require operators to be at least 12 years old and complete a boating safety course. Operators ages 12 and 13 must have a licensed adult age 21 or older on board and seated where they can take immediate control, while operators age 14 and older may operate without supervision after obtaining the required certification. All vessels must have U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for each passenger, and children under 8 years old must wear them at all times.

The Alabama Boat-Ed course fee is $54.95. Additional state fees may apply when completing the required application and license endorsement process through Alabama.

You must be at least 12 years old to take the online course. Operators ages 12 and 13 may operate only with a licensed adult age 21 or older on board, while operators age 14 and older may operate without supervision after obtaining the required certification.

Operating without a required Alabama Boat Operator’s Certificate may result in fines and penalties. Boaters should carry proof of certification when required and be prepared to show it during enforcement checks.

You must be at least 12 years old to take the online course. Operators ages 12 and 13 may operate only with a licensed adult age 21 or older on board, while operators age 14 and older may operate without supervision after obtaining the required certification.

Most students complete the Alabama 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.

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

Yes. Alabama boating education credentials that meet National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) requirements are recognized nationwide through reciprocity.

If you fail a unit quiz, you’ll restudy the unit and retake the quiz until you pass. You must score at least 70% on unit quizzes and at least 80% on the final exam, with unlimited attempts to pass.

Your Alabama Boating Course Certificate of Completion will arrive within 2 to 3 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

To replace a lost, stolen, destroyed, or name-changed Alabama boating course certificate, submit a written request and the required $5 replacement fee to the ALEA Marine Patrol Division.

Send a written request* and your $5 fee (payable by cash, certified check, or money order) to:

ALEA Marine Patrol Division

Attn: Education Section

P.O. Box 304115

Montgomery, AL 36130

*In the written request please include:

• Name

• Social Security # or birthdate

• Date of class (if known; approximate year of class if date not known)

• Location of class

• Your mailing address

You may contact Alabama Marine Patrol at [email protected], 334-676-7230 or 334-676-7097 with questions on certificates or to verify information in the certification database.