Can You Take an Online Boater Education Course in Tennessee in 2025?
Taking a boater education course is the best way to learn everything you need to know about boating safely. In Tennessee (as in many other states), passing a course is required for most people who operate a motorized vessel (including a personal watercraft).
While it might seem like a hassle to find a class and take time out of your schedule to go take a course, Tennessee just made it easier to meet this requirement.
Now, in 2025, you can take an online boater education course to comply with the state's regulations!
What does this mean, and where can you find a course that meets the state's requirements? Keep reading to find out!
What Changed About Tennessee's Boating Regulations?
Do you need a boating license in Tennessee?
Yes, but it's not technically a "license." In TN, the boating license is actually the boater education card you receive after completing a boater safety course.
To be specific, any Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989, must pass a boating safety exam to operate a motorized vessel legally.
However, this is not what changed about the rules in the state.
You Can Now Take an Online Boater Education Course in Tennessee
In April 2025, the state of Tennessee passed a new law that allows boaters to take an online course to meet the safety certification requirements. Previously, you had to take an in-person instructor-led course. There was no online option.
While the in-person course is still an option and still meets the requirements, you now have the option to take an approved course online.
Why Did They Make a Change to the Rules?
Boater safety is crucial for everyone! It saves lives.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) prioritizes safety on the state's waterways. Now, with the online option, courses and information are more readily available and easily accessible, increasing the likelihood that boaters will take a course.
When more boaters take a boater safety course, more people understand how to stay safe on the water. This helps reduce the potential for accidents, injuries, and deaths when boating.
Does an Online Boater Safety Course Have the Right Information?
You might be asking yourself if an online course really teaches the safety information you need to stay safe on the water.
The answer is: Yes . . . if you choose a state-approved, NASBLA-approved course like Boat-Ed.
The TWRA partners with course providers like Boat-Ed to make sure the course material and final exam meet all of the state's requirements for boater education. So, if you take the Tennessee online course from Boat-Ed, you will learn everything you need to know to boat safely, including:
- The parts of a boat
- Tying boat knots
- Life jacket types and fit
- Casting off and docking
- Safety equipment to carry on board
- Understanding sound signals
- Navigation
- Safe Operation
- What to do in an emergency
- And more
It's a comprehensive course with video demonstrations, graphics, quizzes, and a study guide to help you enjoy the learning process and retain the information you learn to pass the final exam, then put what you learn into practice on the water.
Plus, you can take the Boat-Ed course from any device that can connect to the internet. You can also go at your own pace, starting and stopping as you have time.
What Happens After I Complete an Online Course?
After completing the online boater education course, you'll take (and pass) the final exam. Once you pass the exam, you can print a temporary Tennessee boater education card that allows you to hit the water legally right away.
Then, within a few weeks, you'll also receive a TWRA-issued Boating Safety Certification of Completion wallet card. This is your permanent card to carry with you every time you operate a motorized vessel (including a personal watercraft).
Does My Card Expire?
Your card never expires! It's good for life.
However, if you lose it, it's easy to replace it.
You can:
- Visit ilostmycard online and request a new card.
- Or, if you were born after January 1, 1989, and completed the in-person exam to receive the TWRA-issued card, log in into the Go Outdoors Tennessee website for information about replacing it.
Are There Any Exceptions to Needing a Tennessee Boating License (or Boater Card)?
Yes! Here are two exceptions to the rule.
You are not required to have a Boating Safety Certification of Completion (i.e., the Tennessee boater education card) if there is an adult (18 years old or older, born before January 1, 1989) on board to take immediate control of the vessel.
Non-residents operating a boat with more than 8.5 horsepower are also exempt from taking the Tennessee boater certification course if they have completed a NASBLA-approved course from another state.
Take the Boat-Ed Online Boater Safety Course for Tennessee (and Hit the Water)
The State of Tennessee made it easier to learn boater safety essentials and get your required boater education card. While you can still take an in-person course, you can now take an online boater education course to meet the requirements!
Boat-Ed makes it easy and convenient to learn the crucial information you need as a responsible boater and get your boater education card.
Take our online course for Tennessee, then hit the water safely and legally!
