Free Arkansas State Boating Safety Course
NOT 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 in Arkansas including navigation rules, safety equipment, handling emergencies, and protecting the environment.
The BoatUS Foundation’s Online Course is NOT Approved by the Arkansas Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to satisfy the mandatory education requirements for boaters and PWC operators.
4-8
Hours to Complete
6
Lessons & Quizzes
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 an Arkansas boating safety education certificate?
Enroll yourself in a Boating Safety Course from the Course Catalog.
Study and pass the Boating Safety Course.
Print out your certificate of completion.
1
Enroll
2
Take Course
3
Pass Exam
4
Print or Order Certificate
Do I need to take this course?
Arkansas game and fish commission requires anyone born on or after 1/1/1986 to have a boating education certificate from an approved Arkansas Game & fish commission safe boating course or an equivalent certificate issued by another state from a boating education course that is approved by NASBLA.
Online boating safety courses and certificates obtained from online courses, such as the one offered by the BoatU.S. Foundation, are NOT recognized by the Arkansas Game & fish commissions and on-water enforcement officers.
Boaters must appear at a Department of Public Safety Driver’s Examining Office and take a boater’s safety exam which includes questions on rules of the road, safety equipment, waterways marking system and other applicable boating laws.
Boaters may also receive a certification of examination exemption by presenting a course completion certificate from an approved course such as those given by the U.S. Power Squadrons, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, or the Arkansas Marine Police Division.
What if I’m certified in another state?
All applications for certification of examination or certification of examination exemption must be presented to the Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Examining Office in your county of residence. Your driver’s license will then be updated with a “V” endorsement, indicating that you have earned your Arkansas Boater Safety Certification. The certificate will be renewed at no charge every four years when your driver’s license is renewed. If you do no have an automobile driver’s license, you will be issued a “Vessel Only” license.
Not all courses (including the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety Course) are accepted for certification.
This certificate of completion is not NASBLA nor state approved and will not entitle boaters and PWC operators to operate on the waters of Arkansas.
Out-of-state visiting from another state should check with Arkansas law to determine requirements for operator age, supervision and the maximum allowable length of visit.
For more information from the state on boating laws, visit:
Frequently Asked Questions
For all questions about your state’s Free Boating Safety Course, visit our Support Center.