Official · Accredited · Trusted Since 1995

Get Your Official Boater Safety Certification Online

A trusted boater education program across the U.S. and Canada, Boat-Ed™ meets the American National Standards for Basic Boating Knowledge and is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and accredited by Transport Canada. One course. One card. Valid for life.

4.8/5 ^★

out of 230,000+ Reviews

50 U.S. States, D.C., & 13 Canadian Provinces & Territories

Lifetime Card

Lifetime certification. It never expires.

2mil+

Over 2 million students served

OFFICIAL & APPROVED

Join 2 Million+ Boaters Certified with Boat-Ed

Each Boat-Ed course is developed with state and provincial boating authorities, approved or accredited to meet local requirements, and built to follow guidelines from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the United States Coast Guard, and Transport Canada. Since 1995, Boat-Ed has helped millions of students complete official boater education and earn the credentials required where they boat.

NASBLA

Transport Canada

United States Coast Guard

3 EASY STEPS

Your Path to Certification

a-smiling-man-in-a-lifejacket-holding-a-boater-safety-card-boating-on-lake-tahoe-safely-concept.

Enroll

Select your state or province, create your Boat-Ed account, pay the course fee, and access your student dashboard to begin your online boating safety course right away.

Study and Pass

Study the course material and complete the exam or other course requirements for your location. Once finished, you'll receive proof of completion and instructions for obtaining your official boater education card or certificate.

Get on the Water

Complete any remaining requirements for your location, keep your official credential with you as required, and get ready to operate legally on the water. You'll also receive access to exclusive offers on additional courses and products.

TWO WAYS TO LEARN

Find the Course That's Right for You

Boat-Ed offers two official online course experiences in select locations. Choose the traditional course for a clear, structured approach or Boat-Ed+ for a more interactive, experience-driven way to learn.

The Trusted Online Course

Follow a straightforward, self-paced course with clearly organized lessons, helpful visuals, and knowledge checks. It offers a familiar, efficient way to learn the material and complete your requirements online.

An Interactive Way to Learn

Learn with a virtual instructor, real-world scenarios, and on-the-water simulations that put course concepts into practice. It offers an immersive, experience-driven way to complete your requirements online.

Boat-Ed+ is available in select states and provinces.

BUILT FOR WHERE YOU BOAT

Select Your State or Province

Boater education requirements vary by state and province. Select your location to find the official Boat-Ed course, credential requirements, and any additional steps for where you plan to operate.

Alabama Get Certified

Alaska Get Certified

Alberta Get Certified

Arizona Get Certified

Arkansas Get Certified

British Columbia Get Certified

California Get Certified

Colorado Get Certified

Connecticut View the study guide

Delaware Get Certified

District of Columbia Get Certified

Florida Get Certified

LEARN BEFORE YOU LAUNCH

Essential Skills Every Boater Needs

Build the practical knowledge you need to follow the rules, operate responsibly, and respond to situations on the water.

Navigation Rules

Understand right-of-way, buoy systems, channel markers, and the navigation rules that help boaters safely share the water.

Safety Equipment

Learn which life jackets, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, visual distress signals, and other safety equipment may be required, along with how to use them properly.

State and Provincial Boating Laws

Review the regulations, operator requirements, speed limits, and enforcement rules that apply where you boat.

Boat Operation

Learn safe practices for launching, docking, anchoring, trailering, and operating a boat in changing conditions.

Emergency Procedures

Prepare to respond to passengers overboard, capsizing, onboard fires, distress situations, and other emergencies on the water.

Environmental Responsibility

Learn how to protect waterways through responsible waste disposal, clean boating practices, wildlife awareness, and compliance with no-wake and protected-area rules.

4.8 245k Reviews

What Boaters Are Saying

The Knowledge was well worth the time invested. It took longer than expected but, I had to take breaks.

Very thorough course. The videos and animations made the rules much easier to understand than reading a handbook.

Easy to follow and I could stop and pick up right where I left off. Passed the exam on the first try.

Great refresher even after years on the water. I learned several things I did not know about navigation lights.

START PREPARING

A Course for Every Boater

Whether you're completing boater education for the first time, refreshing your knowledge, or preparing for the water with family and friends, Boat-Ed makes your official certification clear and approachable at every experience level.

Get Certified

LIFETIME CERTIFICATION

One Course. One Card.

Complete your Boat-Ed course and receive the official boater education card or certificate for your location. Your credential never expires, giving you permanent proof of certification whenever you take the helm.

Official Boater Education Card

Receive the official card or certificate required by your state or province, either by mail or through the delivery method established for your location.

Recognized Across Jurisdictions

Your certification is accepted in other states and provinces through applicable boating education reciprocity agreements.

Print Temporary Proof Immediately

Where available, print or download temporary proof of completion while your permanent credential is processed.

Online, at Your Own Pace

Complete your course on any device, save your progress, and return whenever it works for you. Any location-specific timing requirements will be clearly explained before you begin.

100% ONLINE

Study on Any Device, Anywhere, Anytime

The Boat-Ed course is fully online, so you can work through lessons on your desktop, tablet, or phone whenever it fits your schedule. Your progress saves automatically, making it easy to stop, return, and continue exactly where you left off.