Official Pennsylvania Boater Safety Course

Q: How to get a Pennsylvania boating license?

To get a Pennsylvania boating license, commonly referred to as a Pennsylvania Boater Education Card, you must complete an approved boating safety course and pass the final exam. After passing, you can print a temporary certificate that is valid for 60 days while your permanent card is mailed to you.

Get your Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate online, approved by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). Developed by Boat-Ed© to meet official guidelines set by NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Get Certified

Do I need a Boating License in Pennsylvania?

Requirements

Born Jan. 1, 1982 or later

Motorboats over 25 hp

All PWC Operators (any age)

In Pennsylvania: operators born on or after January 1, 1982, must pass an approved boating safety course to operate motorboats over 25 horsepower. All personal watercraft (PWC/jet ski) operators must hold this certificate. No one under 11 may operate a boat over 25 hp or any PWC. Learn more at: Pennsylvania Boating Laws and Regulations

3 Easy Steps

Your Path to Certification

Enroll

Create your Boat-Ed account, pay the course fee, and access your student dashboard to begin your boating safety course right away.

Study and Pass

Study the course material, pass the final exam, and print your temporary Pennsylvania Boater Education Card immediately. It's valid for 60 days while your permanent card ships.

Get on the Water

That’s it! You’re ready to confidently and legally operate a boat. Your certification is valid for life and must be with you while operating. You’ll also get access to exclusive offers on additional courses and products.

Enroll Today More About Your Card

How It Works

A Better Way to Learn Boating Safety

Modern visuals, clear instruction, and updated safety content help make important boating topics easier to understand and remember, with most courses completed in 3-4 hours.

Learn the parts of a boat, fueling, trailering, boat capacity, and essential preparation before getting underway.

Understand navigation rules, markers, sound signals, lights, anchoring, and safe operation on the water.

Cover boating laws, operator responsibilities, life jackets, emergency equipment, and legal operating requirements.

Learn how to handle capsizing, cold-water immersion, fire emergencies, collisions, and rescue situations.

Explore safe participation in watersports, paddling, fishing, tubing, and other on-water activities.

Prepare with quizzes and practice tests before completing the final certification exam.

A Faster, More Immersive Way to Get Certified

Boat-Ed+ brings your official boater education to life with a virtual instructor, real-world scenarios, and on-the-water simulations. Like Boat-Ed, it’s state-approved and self-paced, with a more interactive format designed to help you move through certification smoothly, build confidence, and get on the water sooner.

Upgrade to Boat-Ed+

4.8 ★ 245k Reviews

What Boaters are Saying

“Easy to study and follow on your own time”

“Super convenient and easy course to follow! So glad I was able to take this course at my own pace!”

“The course was helpful and engaging, and use multiple learning tools”

“Quick and simple process”

Join 2 Million+ Boaters Certified with Boat-Ed

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

United States Coast Guard

NASBLA

This official Boat-Ed course was developed with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, approved to meet state requirements, and built to follow guidelines from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the United States Coast Guard. Since 1995, Boat-Ed has helped more than 1 million students get certified with credentials recognized nationwide.

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