Washington State Boating Safety Course
The BoatUS Foundation’s Boating Safety Course Online Course is approved by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. We collect a $10.50 fee at enrollment and upon successful completion BoatUS will forward your information and payment to the state. Once received, the state will issue you a lifetime card.
State Approved
About the Course
What is the course about and why do I need it?
This free online course teaches you everything you need to operate a boat safely and legally in Washington including navigation rules, safety equipment, handling emergencies, and protecting the environment.
2-4
Hours to Complete
5
Lessons
60
Final Exam Questions
37
Approved States
learn online at your own pace
What is the format of the course?
You’ll learn through interactive lessons, videos, and quizzes, then pass a final exam to earn your state-approved boating safety certificate.
Complete the course at your own pace and gain the skills and confidence to get out on the water.
State Education Requirements
How do I get a Washington boating safety education certificate?
After you complete the course you will be issued a printable copy of your certificate that you can print yourself and use immediately for the next 60 days.
All students must pay a fee of $10 which is transmitted to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. There is an additional 50 cent service fee, for a total of $10.50.
Once you pay for and pass the online course, you will be able to immediately print out your Temporary Boater Education Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Temporary Boater Education Certificate right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you. This certificate EXPIRES 60 days after course completion.
Your permanent, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission issued card will arrive by mail in two to six weeks, depending on the season.
To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Boater Education Card, please fill out this form.
1
Enroll
2
Take Course
3
Pass Exam
4
Print Certificate
Age Requirements in Washington
All boat operators, unless specified below in exemption, are required to have a Washington State issued Boater Education Card indicating that a boating safety education class or equivalency exam has been successfully completed by the card holder.
Exemption:
- persons who have a U.S Coast Guard vessel operator’s license
- persons visiting Washington State.
- All boat operators born before 1/1/1955 will not be required to have a boat operator education card.
Age/Horsepower Requirements in Washington
To operate a motor driven boat of 15 horsepower or greater, a person must be at least 12 years of age or older and complete a boating safety course that is accepted by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. No person under 12 years of age can operate a motorboat of 15 or more horsepower.
Persons who do not have a boater education card and are 12 years of age or up can operate a vessel with more that 15 HP if accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person 16 years of age who has a boater education card.
Operators who are required to have a boating education card and want to rent a vessel, must present the card to livery (rental) operators. If the person, required to have a boating education card, does not have a boating education card, the livery operator must complete an operation and safety checklist with the vessel renter prior to the renter being allowed to use the vessel on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
For all questions about your state’s Free Boating Safety Course, visit our Support Center.