| Features |
|
Competitor 1 | Competitor 2 | Competitor 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania 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 |
|
|
|---|
| Pennsylvania 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 |
To operate certain motorized vessels or personal watercraft in Pennsylvania, you must complete a Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC)-approved boating safety course and earn a Boating Safety Education Certificate.
Pennsylvania does not issue a traditional “boating license,” but state law requires boater education for specific operators. Successful completion of an approved course results in a Boating Safety Education Certificate, which must be carried when required by law.
Pennsylvania law requires a Boating Safety Education Certificate in the following situations:
Operators who are required to have a certificate must carry it while operating a vessel and present it to law enforcement upon request.
You can get your Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate by completing a PFBC-approved boating safety education course. Approved course formats include:
PFBC-approved online courses allow you to complete the education requirements remotely. After successful completion, students are issued a Temporary Boating Education Certificate, valid for up to 60 days. A permanent certificate is then mailed by the PFBC, typically within four weeks.
Online course fees include a $10 permanent certificate fee.
Pennsylvania also authorizes in-person boating safety courses offered by approved providers such as the PFBC and partner organizations. These courses cover boating laws, navigation rules, and safety practices. Upon successful completion, students receive their Boating Safety Education Certificate.
Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate are valid for life and do not require renewal.
Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificates are issued in accordance with NASBLA standards. Pennsylvania also recognizes NASBLA-approved certificates from other states for operation on Pennsylvania waters.
When boating outside Pennsylvania, operators should always review the laws of the destination state, as additional age limits or requirements may apply.
Boat-Ed+ is produced by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC. Kalkomey is dedicated to providing print and online boating education courses for North American boaters in Canada and the United States. Boat-Ed is the only boating safety education course and exam provider that develops online courses, eBooks, and print materials on behalf of government boating and boater safety agencies in North America. Completing your Pennsylvania boating safety course through Boat-Ed+ ensures you receive a PFBC-approved, NASBLA-compliant education that meets all state requirements for earning your Boating Safety Education Certificate.
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Avenue, PO Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
Made in the U.S.A.
This safety course is proudly made to serve students, agencies, and organizations worldwide.
Is it the Boating safety license?
Boating safety education certification is not the same thing as a Boating license.
What you really need is the Boating Safety Education Certificate.
You can get the
Boating Safety Education Certificate
by taking this boat safety course
at boat-ed.com.
Find out if you need the card.
Did you lose your card? Replace it here.
GET CERTIFIED
Pennsylvania offers boating safety education for paddlers as well. Approved courses cover safe practices for canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. These courses focus on non-motorized watercraft safety and do not replace the Boating Safety Education Certificate when operating motorized vessels.
Relaxing on the water is easy when you’re protected with a leader in boat insurance. Progressive has the coverages you need to explore carefree and full of adventure! Discover how we can protect your boat today with coverage we offer to the 1 million+ watercraft we already insure.
Get a Quote
Pennsylvania offers diverse boating opportunities across rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and tidal waters. With more than 86,000 miles of rivers and streams, over 200,000 surface acres of lakes and impoundments, and access to Lake Erie and the Delaware River, the state supports boating for anglers, paddlers, sailors, and powerboaters alike.
Lake Erie
Pennsylvania's Great Lakes access offers open-water boating, fishing, and coastal
recreation along 63 miles of shoreline.
Delaware River
Provides tidal waters, scenic cruising, and interstate boating access with
connections toward the Atlantic Ocean.
Raystown Lake
A large reservoir popular for boating, fishing, and watersports, known for clear
water and extensive shoreline.
Lake Wallenpaupack
A recreational lake offering boating, fishing, and family-friendly access in
northeastern Pennsylvania.
Susquehanna River
One of the longest rivers on the East Coast, supporting powerboating, paddling,
and fishing across multiple regions of the state.
