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Program

Texas

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE* Online Boating Safety Course approved by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to satisfy the mandatory education requirements for boaters and PWC operators born on or after September 1, 1993.

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.

*Texas state fee:

The Texas state certification requires a fee which is collected in advance. The course is free, but the $11 fee for state certification is remitted to the state of Texas upon completion.


Education Requirements:

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Age Requirements:

Texas has a mandatory education law for certain boaters. All boaters born on or after September 1, 1993 must complete a TPWD approved course and be certified with the TPWD to operate:

  • Any vessel over 15 horse power
  • Any windblown vessel over 14 feet
  • All personal watercraft

Exemptions for those born on or after September 1, 1993 include:

  • Operating your vessel on private waters
  • Boaters who are accompanied by a person 18 or older who is exempt from mandatory education
  • Boaters who are residents of another state that have passed a TPWD approved course in another state

Other Information:

Not all non-proctored courses are accepted for certification. Persons of the required mandatory education age must carry a photographic ID card and a boater education certification card issued by the TPWD while boating.

Visit Boater Education — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for more information or call 512-389-4846 and select prompt 4.


How Do I Get My Texas Certificate?

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The Texas state certification requires a fee that is collected in advance. The course is free, but the $11 fee for state certification is remitted to the state of Texas upon completion.

The state of Texas no longer issues hard plastic cards. You will receive an emailed electronic copy from the state upon completion within 7 days. After that time, you may also look up your certificate directly through the TPW website.

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