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Pennsylvania

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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:

Pennsylvania boaters born after 1/1/1982 and all PWC operators must complete a course approved by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission in order to operate on the waters of the state of Pennsylvania.

Person’s who have successfully completed a course must have in their possession at all times an official waterproof plastic Boating Safety Education Certificate issued by the PA Fish & Boat Commission. See below for the listing of those persons required to take a boating safety course.

For boats with 0-25 horsepower, there are no restrictions (excluding PWCs).

For boats with 25 horsepower and over:

  • Persons 11 years of age or younger may NOT operate.
  • Persons born on or after January 1, 1982 may NOT operate unless they have a Boating Safety Education Certificate.

For Personal Watercraft (PWC):

  • Persons 11 years of age or younger may NOT operate.
  • Persons 12 through 15 years of age may NOT operate with any passengers on board 15 years of age or younger, or rent a PWC.
  • All PWC operators must obtain and have in their possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate.

Official PA Boating Safety Education Certificate:

If you do not have a plastic PA Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Commission, but have earned a certificate from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadrons or another course approved by the Commission, you must send it to the Commission by mail, along with $10, to get your new permanent plastic PA Boating Safety Education Certificate.

The paper certificate issued by BoatU.S. Foundation in valid for 60 days from the date of completion. Please allow 4-6 weeks for your official Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Boater's Education card to arrive.

For more information, please visit https://www.fishandboat.com/.


How Do I Get My Pennsylvania Certificate?

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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. Your official Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Boater Education Card will arrive in 4-6 weeks.

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