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Pennsylvania

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not approved boating safety course

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is NOT Approved by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission to satisfy the mandatory education requirements for boaters born after 1/1/1982 and all PWC operators.


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.


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:


boating safety course age requirements graphic

Anyone may take the BoatU.S. Foundation's Free Online Boating Safety course as practice or to receive a discount on boat/PWC marine insurance.

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 the BoatU.S. Foundation is NOT recognized by the PA Fish & Boat Commission water patrol officers. The PA issued Boating Safety Education Certificate is good for a lifetime.

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


How Do I Get My Florida Card?


florida plastic 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

Learn More at Ask FWC →


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

Return to Your Account →

If you took the course before August 1, 2010, to re-print your certificate at any time, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the course you originally took below. (If you cannot remember which course you took please call us at 800-245-2628)
  2. Enter you email address and first name (make sure you enter the email you used when you registered with the course originally).
  3. Click Get Previous Certificate and follow the prompts

General Boating Safety Course | PWC Safety Course


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?
    Print your certificate of completion from your My Account screen.

    Figure A.

    Print your certificate of completion from your My Account screen.

    Figure B.

    Instructions for Users With a Printer:

    1. 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.
    2. Click on your state name to bring up your printing options (Figure B). To print a paper copy of your certificate click "Print Certificate".
    3. 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:

    1. Click on the course you originally took below. (If you cannot remember which course you took please call us at 800-245-2628)
    2. Enter you email address and first name (make sure you enter the email you used when you registered with the course originally).
    3. 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:

    1. Return to the BoatUS Foundation ELearning Center at https://elearning.boatus.org/.
    2. Enter you username and password. Once you have logged in your certificate will be located in your My Account on the left side underneath the calendar.
    3. Click on your states name and select a print option.

To view the complete list of questions visit:
www.boatus.org/courses/faq/

boating safety course frequently asked questions graphic

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

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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.


Get Started Now →

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