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

image of boating licence card front 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?

Are there any age or operator restrictions for driving a boat in California?

Are senior citizens exempt from obtaining their boater education card?

What is the minimum age to take this course?

How long will it take to complete the California boater education course?

Do I have to complete the course in one sitting?

Do I need to be a resident of California to take this course?

I failed a chapter quiz. Did I fail the California boater education course?

What score do I need to pass chapter quizzes?

How many questions are there on the exam?

What score do I need to pass the final online exam?

Do you have practice questions before taking the official exam?

Is it an open book exam?

Do I have take the course before I write the exam?

Do you have a soft copy of the materials so I can review it offline?

Is there a practical exam before I can start driving a boat or I just need the California boater card?

Does passing the boater education course give me a foundation to take other boating courses?

Certification

Is it a boating safety license?

How do I get my California boater card after completing the course?

How do I get my temporary certificate of completion?

What is the proof of online course completion?

How long is the validity of my California boater card?

Will boaters who have previously taken a boating safety course be required to take another course or test?

Will I ever have to renew my California boater card?

Does my certificate allow me to operate any boat?

When do I need a boater education card?

Do I need proof of competency to operate a non-powered watercraft?

What is acceptable proof of competency for non-residents?

Is my boater education card revokable or suspendable?

What if I still have not received my California boater card after the expected date of delivery?

Will there be a penalty for those who have a California boater card, but do not carry it while boating?

Course Accreditation

Is your California boater education course 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)?

Is the California boater card accepted outside of the state?

How do I contact the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways?

Price & Billing

What does the California boater education course cost?

Is it safe to enter my credit card information?

What other payment options do you have aside from debit/credit card?

Is there an annual cost for the card?

How does the automatic time extension feature work?

What is your refund policy?

Do you have an affiliate network program?

Do you offer referrals or any promotions?

Replacement Documents

How do I replace my temporary California online course completion document if I lost or damaged it?

How do I replace my California Boater Card if I lost or damaged it?

Account

How do I sign up?

What if I forget my password?

How can I change my user information?

If I log out, do I lose my progress?

How many times can I log in and out of the course?

IT

Can I access the course on my mobile device?

Can I do part of the course on desktop and part on mobile?

What happens if I lose my internet connection while taking the exam?

Will this course run on any web browser?

What are the system requirements in order to take the exam online?

What is required to play the videos in the course?

Moving to California

Do I need to pass a boating course when moving to California from another state?

I have a boater card from another state. Will it be accepted in California?

How long can I drive a boat in California with my out of state boater card?

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?

What are your hours of operation?

Why should I choose BoatTests101.com?

Can I help to teach the boater education course?