Approved by California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
There is no minimum age to take the course and you do not need to be a resident of the state. Pass the course and be certified for life!
Who is required to have the California Boater Card?
California passed a boating education law effective January 1, 2018 requiring all California boaters 20 years of age or younger to have the California Boater Card, and all California boaters to have one by 2025, by increasing age increments each year.
Effective January 1, 2021, all California boaters 40 years of age or younger are required to have a California Boater Card. Effective January 1 of 2022, 2023, and 2024, California Boater Cards are required for boaters of the age of 45, 50, 60 and younger, respectively. As of January 1, 2025, this applies to boaters of all ages.
Is it called the California Boater Card or the California boating license?
While it is often called a boating license in California, the correct terminology is that is the California Boater Card. This card is proof that you have successfully passed an accredited California boating safety course and can operate a boat on all state waterways.
Is there a penalty for operating a boat without the California Boater Card?
Yes, the convictions are $100, $250 and $500 for your first, second and third convictions, respectively.
Does the California Boater Card expire?
No
You are just 3 steps away from getting your California Boater Card
Complete Course
State-accredited online course for all ages
Print your Certificate of Completion
After successfully completing the online course, you’ll be able to immediately print out and save your Certificate of Completion
Apply for your California Boater Card
To obtain your California Boater Card, you will need to apply at http://californiaboatercard.com/applynow/. You will be asked to provide your Certificate of Completion, as proof that you took an educational course
Join the Wavve Boating Community
Enjoy two weeks free
Wavve Boating is an easy to use marine navigation app that helps boaters navigate and explore with ease, while connected to their boating community. Recently promoted by Apple as a “New App We Love”, this app provides intuitive nautical charts, crowdsourced points of interest, and a dynamic tidal map.
Start TodayFAQs
Course
In California, boating law requires boaters to obtain and carry a California Boater Card (CBC) while operating a recreational motorized vessel within California waterways. This card is often called the ‘California boating license’. The CBC requirement is being phased in over 8 years as follows: January 1, 2018: Persons 20 years of age or younger January 1, 2019: Persons 25 years of age or younger January 1, 2020: Persons 35 years of age or younger January 1, 2021: Persons 40 years of age or younger January 1, 2022: Persons 45 years of age or younger January 1, 2023: Persons 50 years of age or younger January 1, 2024: Persons 60 years of age or younger January 1, 2025: All persons regardless of age
Yes, the minimum age to operate a boat is 16 years of age or older by a motor of 15 HP or more
No, there is no minimum age to take this course
The course takes a minimum of 3 hours
No, you can do it over one sitting or as many sittings as you would like
No, you do not need to be a resident of California to take this course
No, you did not fail the course and need to try again
You need to score 80% to pass the final online exam
There are quizzes at the end of each chapter in the boater education course
No, it is not an open book exam
Yes, you must pass the course before taking the exam
No, we do not the materials available offline
Yes, you must pass (the course and) the exam before you can drive a boat
Yes, the boater education course provides a foundation for other boating courses
Certification
While it is often called a "boating license" in California, it is called the California boater card
To obtain your California Boater Card, you will need to apply to the government's website at http://californiaboatercard.com/applynow/. You will be asked to provide your Certificate of Completion, as proof that you took an educational course. As mandated by the government, the California Department of Parks and Recreation's Division of Boating and Waterways charges $10 to register and mail your card, after completing the course with all accredited providers, including BoatTests101.com. Follow the steps, and you are all set!
You can print your temporary certificate from your dashboard after logging in
Once you pass and pay for the California boater course, you will be able to immediately print out the Certificate of Completion. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Certificate of Completion right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you
The California boater card is good for your lifetime
No, if you took a boater education course in another state or in Canada, it will be recognized in California
No, you do not need to renew your boater education card. It is good for life
You can use your temporary certificate for 90 days to operate a personal watercraft, after which you are required to have your California boater card
You are required to have a California boater card if it is mandatory for your age and you are planning to operate a vessel with 15 horsepower or more.
No, you do not need a proof of competency to operate a non-powered watercraft
Your boater education from another state or Canada is proof of competency
Yes, your California boater card can be revokable and suspendable if laws are broken
Your card will be mailed within 60 days. If it is not delivered, please contact the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
Yes, there is a penalty for not carrying your California boater card while boating
Course Accreditation
Yes, our California boater education course is approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
Yes, our California boater education course is approved by NASBLA
For visting boaters, all US states, US territories, Canadian provinces, and Canadian territories will recognize boater eduation cards that meet NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada's requirements
Price & Billing
The California boater education course costs $24.99
Yes, our website is secure and it is safe to enter your credit card information
Customers can using debit and credit. We do not accept Bitcoin or other digital currencies at this time
No, there is no annual cost
The California boater course is valid for your lifetime from the time of registration and payment
Please email us your issur or concern and we will review on a customer-by-customer basis
Yes, we have an affiliate program where we reward referrals. Below is the link for more information and to sign up: https://www.shareasale.com/shareasale.cfm?merchantID=57099
We offer referrals through our affiliate program (https://www.shareasale.com/shareasale.cfm?merchantID=57099). We may do promotions from time to time
Replacement Documents
You can re-print your temporary card after logging into your account, assuming you passed the course and exam
The Calfornia government is responsible for mailing and replacing the California Boater Card. Please visit CaliforniaBoaterCard.com where you will find their instructions and contact info
Account
Select a course and click the "Sign Up!" button
On the Login screen, click "Lost Password?" and follow the steps
Please email [email protected] or call 1.888.885.8830
No, you will not lose your progress
You can login as many times as you would like
IT
Yes, you can access the course on a mobile phone
Yes, you can access the course from a desktop, mobile phone or tablet
If you lose your internet connection, it will take you back to the point in the course you were currently at
Yes, the course will run on any web browser
You can take the exam on any computer that has an internet connection and a browser
There are no videos in the course
Moving to California
California does not accept reciprocity from other areas. If you are a California resident and have a boater card from outside of California, you will need to complete the California boating safety course, pass the corresponding exam, and then apply for your California Boater Card to operate on California waters via CaliforniaBoaterCard.com
California does not accept reciprocity from other areas. If you are a California resident and have a boater card from outside of California, you will need to complete the California boating safety course, pass the corresponding exam, and then apply for your California Boater Card to operate on California waters at CaliforniaBoaterCard.com
You cannot drive a boat without having a California Boater Card in California waters
General
If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us directly at [email protected] or by phone @ 1.888.885.8830
Our hours of operation are 9am-midnight EST
We offer an official online boat course to get your boater card, which is accredited by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the California Division of Boating and Waterways