Who Must Carry the Boating Safety Education ID Card

The following are the requirements to carry the Boating Safety Education ID Card in Florida.

• Vessel operators who are required to have completed a boating education course or exam must carry on board:
• Their Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (plastic or electronic) issued by the FWC and...
• A photographic identification card.
• These persons are exempt from carrying a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card on board:
• Operators who have their course completion certificate showing successful completion of an FWC– and NASBLA–approved boating safety course and a photographic identification card. The certificate must give the operator’s first and last names, date of birth, and the date they passed the course. The course completion certificate:
• Is valid for 90 days from the date the certificate was issued and…
• Is not a permanent replacement for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.
• Persons licensed by the USCG as a master of a vessel.
• Persons operating on a private lake or pond.
• A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA–approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state.
• Operators who are accompanied on board by a person who is exempt from the education requirement or by a person who is at least 18 years old, possesses the required identification card, and is attendant to the operation of the vessel and responsible for any violation that occurs.
• Persons operating a vessel within 90 days after purchase who have a bill of sale on board and available for inspection.
• Operators who have passed an FWC–approved temporary certification exam must carry the Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate and a photographic identification card. The temporary certificate:
• Is valid for 12 months from the date it is issued and...
• Is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.