Fast, Official, Hands-On Boater Safety
Hit the water in a few hours. This online boater safety course is Transport Canada-approved and uses real-world scenarios to help you learn fast.
GET CERTIFIED
Build Real Boating Skills and Experience
This online boating school builds hands-on skills unlike anywhere else. See how immersive challenges and virtual instructors get you water-ready.
GET CERTIFIED
Easy As 1-2-3!
Earn your official, lifetime pleasure craft operator card today in three simple steps:
Create an Account
Download the Boat-Ed app and start learning immediately.
Pass The Online Course
Any device, any time. Learn and pass at your own pace.
Go Boating Immediately
Print your temporary PCOC and hit the water today!
| Features |
|
Competitor 1 | Competitor 2 | Competitor 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport Canada Approved |  |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Instructor | |
No | No | No |
| Modern Content | |
Sometimes | No | Sometimes |
| Hands-On Learning | |
No | No | No |
| Mobile-Friendly | |
Partially | Yes | No |
| Self Paced | |
Minimum time requirements | Minimum time requirements | Minimum time requirements |
| Free Year of Wavve! |
|
No | No | No |
|
|
|---|
| Transport Canada Approved |
| Virtual Instructor |
| Modern Content |
| Hands-On Learning |
| Mobile-Friendly |
| Self Paced |
|
Free Year of Wavve! |
| Competitor 1 |
|---|
| Yes |
| No |
| Sometimes |
| No |
| Partially |
| Minimum time requirements |
| No |
| Competitor 2 |
|---|
| Yes |
| No |
| No |
| No |
| Yes |
| Minimum time requirements |
| No |
| Competitor 3 |
|---|
| Yes |
| No |
| Sometimes |
| No |
| No |
| Minimum time requirements |
| No |
The perfect pairing to hit the water.
Get a free year of Wavve ($60 value) when you earn your Pleasure Craft Operation Certification through Boat-Ed. The Wavve Boating app helps you navigate confidently with smart nautical charts, community-powered maps, and custom routes tailored to your journey.
Offer details in cart.
Offer details in cart.
The Course that
Covers it All
Covers it All
No filler here; Just everything you need to know to be a confident, competent boater.
This course covers important topics like:
This course covers important topics like:
- Anatomy of a boat
- Safe docking and mooring
- Navigating busy waterways
- Boating emergencies
- Enjoying watersports
- Canadian legal requirements
- Anatomy of a boat
- Safe docking and mooring
- Navigating busy waterways
- Boating emergencies
- Enjoying watersports
- Canadian legal requirements
Do you need the Pleasure Craft
Operator Card?
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.
and is used for recreational purposes in Canada. Proof of certification from any NASBLA– approved boating course is acceptable.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Canada Boat Ed Course Exam cost?
The fee for the Canada Boat Ed Course Exam is $69.95.
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.
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. If you do not pass, you may retake the test after 24 hours.
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.
You must score at least 75% on the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test to pass. If you do not pass, you may retake the test after 24 hours.
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.
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.”)
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 3-5 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.
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/.
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