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Ohio

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft.

Register Today
approved boating safety course

Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating agency.

How It Works
Education Requirements
Certificate/Card Info

How To Get Started:

First, Click Education Requirements above to verify state requirements and then click Certificate/Card Info to learn what options are available for your state.

For a brief tutorial and getting familiar with our new system click here.


Education Requirements:

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Age Requirements:

Ohio requires persons born on or after January 1, 1982 operating a power craft greater than 10 hp to take a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating course or pass a proficiency exam approved by the Division of Watercraft.

Boaters who are required to possess a boating education certificate shall present it to the law enforcement within 72 hours of being stopped.

Except as provided, no person under 16 shall operate at PWC. Individuals not less than 12, nor more than 15 years of age may operate a PWC only if an adult supervisor of at least 18 years of age and in possession of an approved boating education certificate if born on or after January 1, 1982, is aboard the craft.

Persons under 12 years of age:

  • May not operate a personal watercraft
  • Shall not operate any vessel unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older
  • Shall not operate any other powercraft greater than 10 hp unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older who is aboard the powercraft (excluding PWCs)
  • If the supervising person was born after January 1, 1982, they must possess an approved boating education certificate as defined above

Other Information:

No rental business shall lease or rent a powercraft greater than 10 hp to a person born on or after January 1, 1982 unless they sign a statement that they have completed an approved Division of Watercraft course or proficiency exam. As an alternative, the rental business may provide education materials and administer an exam which the boater must pass with a score of 90% or better. Boaters choosing this option must take the exam offered by the rental agency each time they rent a boat.


How Do I Get My Certificate?

boating card

1. After you complete the course you will be issued a printable copy of your certificate that you can print yourself and use immediately.

2. You will also have the option of ordering a state approved, waterproof plastic card for $15. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your card to arrive.

Complete the Course in Three Easy Steps:

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Enroll yourself in a Boating Safety Course from the Course Catalog

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Study and pass the FREE Boating Safety Course.

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Print out your certificate of completion yourself for free

Get Started Today! Start Now →

Course Information:


4 - 8 Hours

Estimated Course Time

6 Lessons

Each Contains a 10 Question Quiz

Final Exam

60 Questions Pulled Randomly

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Complete the Course at Your Own Pace

Choose when and where to take your course.
Take it on any device with an internet connection and automatically have your progress saved when the window is closed.

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Online Course Video:


Testimonials

  • Great course, and so much more convenient than going at night for several nights... Keep up the great work, and see you on the water.

    Gene

  • Thank you so much! This was a great course and I learned so much. Hope you have a great weekend!

    Lindsay

  • Thank you. The information that you gave me allowed me to complete the course. Your assistance was very much appreciated.

    D. White

  • Thank you so much! You folks are so kind. Good luck with the updates and have safe boating fun this summer!

    Brennan