Florida Boat Course
All boat operators in Florida who were born on or after January 1st, 1988, must have a Florida Boater Education I.D. Card to operate any motorized watercraft of 10 HP or more. If you are renting a boat, get your temporary boating certificate here!
Approved by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The ID card is issued by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission upon successful completion of the course, and must be onboard when operating on state waters. Get certified today! If you are renting a boat, get your temporary boating certificate here!
Three steps to become a Licensed Boater
1
Complete Course
State-accredited online course for all ages
2
Pass The Online Exam
Unlimited re-tries
3
Go Boating
Print temporary license and start boating!
About Florida
The sunshine state is by far one of the most beautiful states to enjoy the sunshine, beaches, and lakes. If you are into watersports, then you will find that Florida is a paradise. With over 1,200 miles of coastlines, over 30,000 lakes, and an average temperature of 79° F, it will, sooner than later, tempt you to get on a boat and head to the water.
While we always want to have the best of times while recreating, there are a few things to keep in mind when taking a boat out in the water. First, safety is a number one priority and should be given the importance it deserves. Secondly, basic navigation rules can help you have a more enjoyable trip without endangering property or human lives. Statistical reports show that 70% of boating accidents can be prevented by following good boating practices while operating a boat. These and other topics are covered in our NSBLA approved boating course.
Do you need a boating license in Florida?
Florida legislation requires that all recreational boat operators, born on or after January 1st of 1988, have a Boater Safety Education ID Card, commonly known as a "Florida boating license." Taking a boating safety course should not be a matter of being compliant with the state’s requirements, but it should a demonstration of responsibility and good interest to other boat users.
Are you planning to rent a boat in Florida?
If you are renting a boat, you are required to get a temporary boating certificate. Get your temporary boating certificate here!
Enjoy Two Weeks Free
Join the Wavve Boating Community
Frequently Asked Questions
Course
If you were born on or after January 1, 1988 and you plan to drive a motorboat with greater than 10 horsepower, you must take an approved boating safety course.
You will also then need to get a safety identification card from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
If you will be renting a boat, you are required to get a temporary boating certificate. Get your temporary boating certificate here!
Persons under age of 14 years are prohibited in operating a personal watercraft on Florida water at any time, regardless whether he/she has a boating safety identification card.
Nobody under age of 18 years is allowed to rent or lease a personal watercraft.
It is also considered illegal for any owner of a personal watercraft to knowingly allow any person under age of 14 years to operate it.
If they were born before January 1, 1988 then they are not required to take any boat safety course as this only applies to people who were born on or after January 1, 1988.
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 Florida to take this course
No, you did not fail the course and need to try again
You need to score 80.00% to pass chapter quizzes
The final exam has 60 questions.
You need to score 80.00% 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
Florida does not have a boating license but must pass boating safety course and be certifified.
You can get your Florida Boater's Education Card online in 3 hours or less.
Once you have taken the online course and official test you can right away print a temporary card and operate immediately.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will mail your permanent card within 4 to 6 weeks.
You can print your temporary certificate from your dashboard after logging in
Once you pass and pay for the Florida 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 Florida boater education 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 Florida
No, you do not need to renew your boater education card. It is good for life
You can use your temporary certificate for [60 days] to operate a personal watercraft, after which you are required to have your Florida boater education card
If you were born on or after January 1, 1988 and you plan to drive a motorboat with greater than 10 horsepower, you must take an approved boating safety course.
You will also then need to get a safety identification card from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and must carry it on board while operating.
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 boater education card can be revokable and suspendable if laws are broken
Please email [email protected] with your name to follow-up your permanent card.
Yes, there is a penalty for not carrying your Florida boater education card while boating
If you are planning to rent a boat, you are required to complete a temporary boating certificate course. Get your temporary boating certificate here!
Course Accreditation
Yes, our Florida boater education course is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Yes, our Florida 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
The phone # is 850.488.5600 and the mailing address is 620 S Meridian St, , Tallahasssee, Florida 32399
Price & Billing
The Florida boater education course costs $29.99
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 Florida boater course is valid for your lifetime from the time of registration and payment
Please email us your issue 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
You can request to replace your lost or damaged Florida Boating Safety Education ID card through Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law enforcement at no cost.
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 Florida
Once you have successfully completed your official boating safety course then you can use your card in Florida.
Once you have successfully completed your official boating safety course then you can use your license in Florida.
No restriction on how long you can drive a boat in Florida with your out of state boater's card.
You can check Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for more information about boating in Florida.
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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Please email [email protected]
Please check out our job postings or email [email protected]