NASBLA-Approved Boating Education Courses
Boating safety courses teach the basics of how to safely and responsibly operate a boat in your state. Our 100% online boating safety courses are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and assist boaters in meeting state training requirements.
Boaters will learn about state regulations, necessary equipment, how to prepare for emergencies, how to plan trips and more. Our goal is to keep boaters safe so they can enjoy leisure time on the water.
Boat safety techniques include:
- Safe speeds
- Checking the engine
- Checking the local weather
- Awareness of swimmers and buoys
- Safety checks
- Life jacket use
- Avoiding alcohol
- Proper anchoring procedures
- And more
Who Needs a Boater Safety Course?
In most states, individuals who want to legally operate a boat need to complete a boater education course and obtain a certificate. Depending on your state of residence, you may need to earn a state-issued boating license. Age requirements also vary by state, and some states have specific requirements depending on the horsepower of the boat. Select your state at the top or bottom of the page for more information.
Benefits of Online Training
Our 100% online training allows boaters to satisfy state requirements while learning at their own pace.
Our training provides:
- 24/7 course access
- Online, mobile-friendly format
- Self-paced training — log on and off without losing your place
Receiving Your Boater Safety Card or Certificate
Whether you will receive an official license or a certificate and boater ID card depends on the state where you live. Some states require boaters to apply for an official boating license after completing safety training, while others allow you to legally operate a boat after earning a boater safety course certificate.
Course Topics
Although course content varies based on specific state regulations, our online training programs cover boating skills and general information to help you become a safe boat operator. Understand how to handle equipment, prepare for emergencies and more as you operate your boat.
Topics include:
- Boating Equipment
- Personal Flotation Device Types and Carriage
- Trip Planning and Preparation
- Safe Boat Operation
- Emergency Preparedness
- Other Water Activities
- And More!
Select your state at the top or bottom of the page to learn more about state-specific topics and requirements.
Boating Safety Course FAQs
What are the benefits of online boating training?
Our 100% online boating courses allow you to quickly and easily learn how to operate a boat safely on your own time and at your own pace. Mobile-friendly formats allow you to learn on-the-go to conveniently fit your schedule.
How old do I need to be to operate a boat?
Boating age requirements vary state to state. For example, Florida residents who were born on or after January 1, 1988, are required to take a boating safety course and carry proof of course completion to legally operate a vessel of 10 horsepower or more.
How long does it take to complete a boating education course?
Course topics and testing requirements may vary by state, which can affect the overall course length. Generally, our boating education courses take at least five hours to complete. Select your state at the top or bottom of the page for specific information.
What are the testing requirements?
Our boating education courses include module quizzes and a final exam. Minimum passing scores and the number of quiz and exam attempts can vary by state. In some locations, you may be required to re-register for the course and restart your training if you do not pass a quiz or exam after a certain number of attempts. Select your state at the top or bottom of the page to learn more about state requirements on testing.
Will I get an official boating license?
Graduates of our boater safety courses will not receive a state-issued license — and many states don't require one. Five days after you complete your course, a certificate of completion will be available in your course dashboard. You can also upgrade to instant certificate delivery for an additional fee. Some states, such as Florida, allow you to begin boating right away with your certificate. Other states may require you to request a state-issued ID card or license after completing your training.
Do I need to carry a boating card?
Regardless of whether your state requires a course certificate, an official boating license or a boater safety ID card, you are required to carry proof of training or a state-issued license while operating your boat. Your state may only require a training certificate or license for certain types of boats, such as vessels with 10 horsepower or more.