California Boat Course
Complete this accredited course to get your California Boater Card that is good for life! To operate a motorized vessel in California, you will be required to have a California boating card, which is being phased from 2018-2025 based on year of birth.
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!
You are just 3 steps away from getting your California Boater Card
1
Complete Course
State-accredited online course for all ages
2
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
3
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
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Frequently Asked Questions
Course
Is it mandatory to complete a boat course in California to drive a boat?
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
Are there any age or operator restrictions for driving a boat in California?
Yes, the minimum age to operate a boat is 16 years of age or older by a motor of 15 HP or more
Are senior citizens exempt from obtaining their boater education card?
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
What is the minimum age to take this course?
No, there is no minimum age to take this course
How long will it take to complete the California boater education course?
The course takes a minimum of 3 hours
Do I have to complete the course in one sitting?
No, you can do it over one sitting or as many sittings as you would like
Do I need to be a resident of California to take this course?
No, you do not need to be a resident of California to take this course
I failed a chapter quiz. Did I fail the California boater education course?
No, you did not fail the course and need to try again
What score do I need to pass chapter quizzes?
You need to score 80% to pass chapter quizzes
How many questions are there on the exam?
60
What score do I need to pass the final online exam?
You need to score 80% to pass the final online exam
Do you have practice questions before taking the official exam?
There are quizzes at the end of each chapter in the boater education course
Is it an open book exam?
No, it is not an open book exam
Do I have take the course before I write the exam?
Yes, you must pass the course before taking the exam
Do you have a soft copy of the materials so I can review it offline?
No, we do not the materials available offline
Is there a practical exam before I can start driving a boat or I just need the California boater card?
Yes, you must pass (the course and) the exam before you can drive a boat
Does passing the boater education course give me a foundation to take other boating courses?
Yes, the boater education course provides a foundation for other boating courses
Certification
Is it a boating safety license?
While it is often called a "boating license" in California, it is called the California boater card
How do I get my California boater card after completing the course?
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!
How do I get my temporary certificate of completion?
You can print your temporary certificate from your dashboard after logging in
What is the proof of online course completion?
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
How long is the validity of my California boater card?
The California boater card is good for your lifetime
Will boaters who have previously taken a boating safety course be required to take another course or test?
No, if you took a boater education course in another state or in Canada, it will be recognized in California
Will I ever have to renew my California boater card?
No, you do not need to renew your boater education card. It is good for life
Does my certificate allow me to operate any boat?
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
When do I need a boater education 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.
Do I need proof of competency to operate a non-powered watercraft?
No, you do not need a proof of competency to operate a non-powered watercraft
What is acceptable proof of competency for non-residents?
Your boater education from another state or Canada is proof of competency
Is my boater education card revokable or suspendable?
Yes, your California boater card can be revokable and suspendable if laws are broken
What if I still have not received my California boater card after the expected date of delivery?
Your card will be mailed within 60 days. If it is not delivered, please contact the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
Will there be a penalty for those who have a California boater card, but do not carry it while boating?
Yes, there is a penalty for not carrying your California boater card while boating
Course Accreditation
Is your California boater education course approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways?
Yes, our California boater education course is approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
Is your California boater education course approved by NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators)?
Yes, our California boater education course is approved by NASBLA
Is the California boater card accepted outside of the state?
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
How do I contact the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways?
The phone # is 1-888-326-2822 and the mailing address is 1 Capitol Mall, Suite 500 Sacramento, California 95814
Price & Billing
What does the California boater education course cost?
The California boater education course costs $29.99
Is it safe to enter my credit card information?
Yes, our website is secure and it is safe to enter your credit card information
What other payment options do you have aside from debit/credit card?
Customers can using debit and credit. We do not accept Bitcoin or other digital currencies at this time
Is there an annual cost for the card?
No, there is no annual cost
How does the automatic time extension feature work?
The California boater course is valid for your lifetime from the time of registration and payment
What is your refund policy?
Please email us your issue or concern and we will review on a customer-by-customer basis.
Do you have an affiliate network program?
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
Do you offer referrals or any promotions?
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
How do I replace my temporary California online course completion document if I lost or damaged it?
You can re-print your temporary card after logging into your account, assuming you passed the course and exam
How do I replace my California Boater Card if I lost or damaged it?
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
How do I sign up?
Select a course and click the "Sign Up!" button
What if I forget my password?
On the Login screen, click "Lost Password?" and follow the steps
How can I change my user information?
Please email [email protected] or call 1.888.885.8830
If I log out, do I lose my progress?
No, you will not lose your progress
How many times can I log in and out of the course?
You can login as many times as you would like
IT
Can I access the course on my mobile device?
Yes, you can access the course on a mobile phone
Can I do part of the course on desktop and part on mobile?
Yes, you can access the course from a desktop, mobile phone or tablet
What happens if I lose my internet connection while taking the exam?
If you lose your internet connection, it will take you back to the point in the course you were currently at
Will this course run on any web browser?
Yes, the course will run on any web browser
What are the system requirements in order to take the exam online?
You can take the exam on any computer that has an internet connection and a browser
What is required to play the videos in the course?
There are no videos in the course
Moving to California
Do I need to pass a boating course when moving to California from another state?
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
I have a boater card from another state. Will it be accepted in 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 at CaliforniaBoaterCard.com
How long can I drive a boat in California with my out of state boater card?
You cannot drive a boat without having a California Boater Card in California waters
Where can I get more boating related information for moving to California?
General
I have a question that is not answered above. What do I do?
If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us directly at [email protected] or by phone @ 1.888.885.8830
What are your hours of operation?
Our hours of operation are 9am-midnight EST
Why should I choose BoatTests101.com?
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
Can I help to teach the boater education course?
Please email [email protected]