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Get Your Canada Boating License Online

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Take this Canada–approved online boating course to complete your boaters safety education. Boat-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Transport Canada.

Accepted in all Provinces

Do you need the Pleasure Craft Operator Card?

You need education if you will be operating a pleasure craft that has a motor and is used for recreational purposes in Canada. Proof of certification from any NASBLA–approved boating course is acceptable.

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How to Get your Boating License in 4 Easy Steps

Step 1

Boat step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

To get started, sign-up for a Boat Ed student account, pay for the official Transport Canada-approved course, and start the course from your student dashboard.

Step 2

Step 2 image

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass at Your Own Pace

Take the course on any desktop, tablet or mobile device, and don't worry about completing everything in one sitting. We save your progress after each lesson!

Step 3

Boat step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Print Your Temporary License Immediately

After successfully passing the final Transport Canada exam, you're able to print your temporary Pleasure Craft Operator Card and go boating right away.

Step 4

Boat step 4

est. 0 mins

Get on the Water!

That's it! You're ready to legally and confidently operate a boat. Also you'll now have access to exclusive offers on additional courses and products!

Transport Canada Requirements for the PCOC

There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.

You do not have to be a resident of Canada to take this online course.

If you want to operate a pleasure craft for recreation in Canada, you must complete a boater safety course and pass the Transport Canada Exam. If you are a non-resident boater, proof of certification from a NASBLA–approved boating course is required for boating on Canadian waters.

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What Boaters Are Saying About Our Online Boater Safety Courses

Boat Ed has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 230,210 ratings and reviews.

What to Expect From the Boaters Safety Course

Live‐Action, High‐Definition Videos

Our course videos feature a combination of professional educators (who double as professional actors), entertaining storylines, and up‐to‐date scenarios that give you one of the most effective ways to learn safe boating practices.

Watch this 54-second sample to see how we put you in the driver’s seat.

Comprehensive Instruction in Canada boaters Safety Course

This official training program is developed to meet the standards for Boating safety education established by Canada. Boat Ed is the only safety course provider that develops print materials on behalf of government agencies responsible for Boating laws and regulations.

Pages from a boat handbook

Learn Your Way on Any Device

Boat Ed offers online courses that are fully mobile-friendly from start to finish. This safety course is designed to work on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Boat course displayed on various devices
Course outline displaying progress

Saved Progress

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or a little at a time over several days. Log in and out at any time, and we'll keep track of your progress. Most students finish the course in a few hours.

Boating in Canada

Canada is truly a boater’s paradise. It features the world’s longest coastline, with a myriad of freshwater lakes and jaw-dropping views. It is estimated that more than 2 million lakes exist in Canada, and 31,752 of those lakes are larger than three square kilometers or 741.32 acres. It is guaranteed that boating in Canada is a remarkable experience you will always cherish.

Canadian residents and non-residents are required to boat responsibly. There are various rules regarding safety equipment, safe operation of pleasure craft, and environmental protections that apply in Canada. Of these rules, the Operator Competency requirements are the most significant.

The Operator Competency requirements mandate all persons who operate a pleasure craft to carry proof of competency on board if the pleasure craft has any type of motor. These regulations also apply to non-residents if they wish to:

  • Operate a pleasure craft in Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days or…
  • Operate a pleasure craft licensed or registered in Canada (including rented or chartered boats).

The regulations do not apply to non-residents who operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for less than 45 consecutive days. However, proof of residence will be required on board at all times. In order to abide by the operator competency requirements, you will require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC).

The Canada Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)

How to Get a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)?

To obtain a PCOC, you must take the Transport Canada–approved boating safety course. The Boat Ed® boating safety course was developed specifically for Transport Canada to meet the competency requirements for the PCOC.

You Must Carry the Card

Pleasure craft operators who are required to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) must carry the card on board the vessel and have it available for inspection by an enforcement officer.

Is the Canada Boating Licence the same as the permanent Pleasure Craft Operator Card?

No. Because the Pleasure Craft Operator Card does not expire and does not need to be renewed, it is not called the Canada Boating Licence.

I do not have a driver’s licence. Can I still get the Pleasure Craft Operator Card?

Yes. You are not required to have a driver’s license in order to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

Boat Canada manual cover
The Boat Canada boating safety course from Boat Ed was developed specifically for Transport Canada and meets the competency requirements for the Canada Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC).

Canada Approved

Transport Canada
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N8

Made in North America

This safety course is proudly made to serve students, agencies, and organizations worldwide.

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Canada Boating FAQs

Price and Payment

How much does the Canada Boat Ed Course Exam cost?

The fee for the Canada Boat Ed Course Exam is $59.95.

Taking the Course

Are there any age or operator restrictions for boating in Canada?

Do I have to complete the course all at once?

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or completed a little at a time over several days. This course is available for 90 days from time of registration and payment.

What is the minimum age to take this online course?

There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.

Do I have to be a resident to take the Canada Boat Ed Course?

You do not have to be a resident of Canada to take this online course.

Course Approval and Acceptance

Is the Canada Boat Ed Course approved by the Transport Canada?

Boat Ed is accredited by Transport Canada to deliver boating safety courses and administer tests for the issuance of Pleasure Craft Operator Cards, including replacement cards, under the Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations.

Is my Canada Pleasure Craft Operator Card accepted elsewhere?

All provinces, territories, and states that have mandatory boater education requirements will accept the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Likewise, Canada will accept boating education cards that are issued by states that meet NASBLA requirements as proof of competency. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)

Quizzes and/or Exams

I failed a unit quiz. Have I failed the course?

If you fail a unit quiz, you must restudy the unit and take the quiz again until you pass. You must score at least 80% on the unit quizzes to pass.

Do I have to take an online exam?

After reviewing all units, you must take and pass the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test covering all the course material. You have 30 days to write the online Transport Canada Boating Safety Test, which is a 50-question test.

You must score at least 75% on the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test to pass. You have two attempts to pass. If you do not pass on your first try, you may retake the test after 24 hours. If you do not pass on your second try, you must retake the online course.

You will have 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) to complete the test. Once you begin the exam, it is strongly recommended that you complete it in one session. During the test, a timer will display your remaining time; if your Internet connection is slow, the timer will turn off while test questions and answer choices are downloading. If you run out of time before completing the test, any unanswered questions will be counted as wrong.

About Your Certification

What is the proof of online Canada Boat Ed Course completion?

Once you pass the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test and pay for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card, you will be able to immediately print out the Temporary Pleasure Craft Operator Card. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Temporary Pleasure Craft Operator Card right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you.

What is the permanent Canada Pleasure Craft Operator Card?

The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Pleasure Craft Operator Card will arrive within 2-3 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

Replacement of Lost or Damaged Documents

How do I replace my Pleasure Craft Operator Card if I’ve lost it or it has been damaged?

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Pleasure Craft Operator Card, go to https://ilostmycard.com/.

We’re people, not robots.

Visit our Boat Ed help center for frequently asked questions, troubleshooting, or for further customer support!

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