Start Your State Course:

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is NOT Approved by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to satisfy the mandatory education requirements for boaters under 16 years of age and PWC operators born on or after 12/31/1978.
The courses below can be used as a refresher or study guide for an in person class or proctored exam. They can also qualify you for a premium discount on your BoatUS insurance policy.
Here's how to get started or return to your course:
We launched a completely new platform for our free online course on 11/18/2020!
Our old course system is officially retired but if you need to access your certificate of completion, you can request a copy through this form
For a brief tutorial on getting started in the new system or to contact us, click here.
Complete the Course in Three Easy Steps:

Enroll yourself in a Boating Safety Course from the Course Catalog

Study and pass the FREE Boating Safety Course.

Print out your certificate of completion yourself for free
Get Started Today! Start Now →
Education Requirements:

Age Requirements:
Those less than 12 years old:
- May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without restrictions
- May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if they:
- Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat, and
- Are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age
- May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions
Those born on or after July 1, 1996 may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat.
Those born before July 1, 1996 may operate a boat legally without restrictions.
Personal Watercraft (PWC) Operation:
No one under the age of 12 may operate a PWC.
Youth 12 years of age but less than 14 may operate a PWC if they have received a boating safety certificate dated prior to January 1, 1999. If not, boaters of this age must meet all of the following conditions in order to operate:
- The PWC is designed to carry at least two people and the youth operator is accompanied solely by their parent or legal guardian
- The youth operator and accompanying parent or guardian have taken and successfully completed a boating safety course and have in their possession boating safety certificates
- The PWC is equipped with an engine cut-off lanyard which is attached to the accompanying parent or legal guardian
- Operators 14 years of age or older, or persons born after December 31, 1978 may operate only if they have taken and successfully completed a boating safety course and have in their possession a boating safety certificate
Persons born before December 31, 1978 may operate a PWC without restrictions.
Anyone may take the BoatU.S. Foundation's Free Online Boating Safety course as practice or to receive a potential discount on boat/PWC marine insurance.
How Do I Get My Florida Card?

After you complete the course you will be issued a paper copy of your Certificate of Completion. This certificate can be used immediatly after you complete the course.
But What About the Card?
Your permanent Boater Education ID Card will be mailed to you by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 3-4 weeks.
Records are sent to the state automatically every day. Make sure that you type your name as you want it to show on your certificate along with a correct mailing address so you will receive your card in a timely fashion.
If you do not receive your card after 4 weeks, contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-5600.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 S. Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
If Your Card Has Been Lost or Damaged:
If you need to order a replacement card, contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-488-5600.
Or visit their website at myfwc.com →
If you need another copy of your paper certificate, just login to your account and reprint your certificate from the link under the calendar on the My Account screen
If you took the course before August 1, 2010, to re-print your certificate at any time, follow these steps:
- Click on the course you originally took below. (If you cannot remember which course you took please call us at 800-245-2628)
- Enter you email address and first name (make sure you enter the email you used when you registered with the course originally).
- Click Get Previous Certificate and follow the prompts
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below are some common questions asked about our FREE boating safety course.
- How much does the course cost?
The BoatU.S. Foundation is a free NASBLA approved course. When you finish, you can print your certificate on your own printer or order a printed paper certificate($8) or plastic card($13) for a fee. Some states will charge additional fees to issue you a permanent state ID verifying completion of a boating safety course. Be sure to read your state's Mandatory Eduation Requirements for more information.
- How do I print my certificate?
Figure A.
Figure B.
Instructions for Users With a Printer:
- Once you have completed all included lessons for a course you will be awarded a certificate of completion (if applicable) which you can print yourself from your My Account screen. It will appear on the left under the calendar as shown in the image (Figure A) above.
- Click on your state name to bring up your printing options (Figure B). To print a paper copy of your certificate click "Print Certificate".
- After you choose "Print Certificate", a separate window will pop-up and you may briefly see the certificate before it moves off screen and your print dialog appears. Then select your printer from the list and click OK. Do not assume that your certificate won't print just because you can't see it.
- How long is my certificate valid?
Your boating safety certificate will never expire. It is valid for life.
- I took the course a while ago, how do I re-print my certificate?
If you took the course prior to August 1, 2010, to re-print your certificate at any time, follow these steps:
- Click on the course you originally took below. (If you cannot remember which course you took please call us at 800-245-2628)
- Enter you email address and first name (make sure you enter the email you used when you registered with the course originally).
- Click Get Previous Certificate and follow the prompts
General Boating Safety Course | PWC Safety Course | Oregon Boating Safety Course
If you took the course after August 1, 2010, to re-print your certificate at any time, follow these steps:
To view the complete list of questions visit:
www.boatus.org/courses/faq/

Need Help? Contact us!
Most Questions Can Be Answered Through Our FAQs Page.
Call or Email the BoatUS Foundation about our boating safety course or about course questions.
Feel free to call or email if you ever need help while you are taking the course.
Send an email to SmartBoating@BoatUS.com
Or call us Toll Free at 1-800-245-2628
Mon - Fri: 9AM - 5PM Eastern Time

Course Information:
4 - 8 Hours
Estimated Course Time
6 Lessons
Each Contains a 10 Question Quiz
Final Exam
60 Questions Pulled Randomly

Complete the Course at Your Own Pace
Choose when and where to take your course.
In our new online learning system, take it on any device with an internet connection and automatically have your progress saved when the window is closed.*
*You must be registed in our new system at courses.boatus.org and not have previously registered or started at elearning.boatus.org.
Get Started Now →
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