Do you need the California Boater Card? As of January 1, 2021 all boaters 40 years of age or younger
must obtain and carry a California Boater Card. All boaters, regardless of age are required to obtain the card by 2025.
If you operate a motorized vessel on California waterways you may be required to have a California Boater Card. Effective Jan 1, 2018 the law is being phased-in over 8 years. By 2025, boaters of all ages will require a California Boater Card. Currently all boaters up to 35 years of age require a California Boater Card.
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Well thought out and easy to use👍
Gary R
Posted
1 month ago
It was all good. There was a spelling error on Question 14 of 50. It was about the length of the anchor Rode, I assumed you ment anchor Rope?
Steven R
Posted
1 month ago
Great content
Scott C
Posted
2 months ago
Great- helpful, informative, and quick. Thank you!
Elizabeth M
Posted
2 months ago
Very well done learning program and relevant quizzes. Only criticism is that it would be nice to know what was answered wrong in the quizzes.
Michel G
Posted
3 months ago
It was very straight forward and easy to understand. However, I think that some of the questions on the exam were not well addressed in the course.
Nicolas C
Posted
3 months ago
It was easy and good
Jaspreet S
Posted
3 months ago
Content was great, would have liked to see which questions I got wrong on the module quizes and on the final test so as to fully understand safe boating practices
Jane M
Posted
3 months ago
Great service
Rinku B
Posted
3 months ago
Good good good
Vincent P
Posted
3 months ago
Purchase more than one boating course, test and card and save up to 35%. Perfect for family, friends and workmates, we include everything your crew needs to get their Official California Boater Card.
– Jesse L, Monteray CA –
From anywhere, on any device at any time.
Our animated and narrated Boating Safety Course is perfect for all ages. Study from your Smartphone, Tablet or Desktop and switch between devices at any time. BOATsmart! automatically tracks your progress so you can study at your own pace.
Take the California Boater Card Test online
Take the official California Boater Card test online. Consisting of 60 multiple-choice questions, the final test is open book. BOATsmart! includes free unlimited retries so you’re guaranteed to pass.
Print your Certificate of Completion immediately
Print your Certificate of Completion immediately after passing the final test. Your Certificate of Completion enables you to obtain your official California Boater Card from California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways. Once obtained your Boater Card is good for life.
Not sure what to expect? Try the Boating License Practice Test for free and test your knowledge.
Try the California boating safety practice test now.
The California Boater Card is proof that a boater has successfully passed the California Boating Safety Test. Beginning on Jan 1, 2018, the state of California began phasing in a law that requires boaters to obtain and carry a boater card. The law is being phased in over 8 years.
A California Boater Card is official proof that you have successfully completed a California state-approved boating safety course. Boaters commonly refer to the Boater Card as a California boating license however, this is incorrect. Unlike a license, a Boater Card does not expire and doesn’t need to be renewed.
Beginning on Jan 1, 2018 the requirement to obtain a California Boater Card took effect and is being phased in over an 8 year period. Each year a new age group is included, and depending on your age, you may currently need a Boater Card. In 2020, all boaters 35 years of age and younger require a Boater Card. By 2025 all boaters in California will require a Card.
Boaters caught without a Boater Card may receive a fine of up to $100 for the first conviction, $250 for the second conviction and $500 for the third.
You can obtain your official Boater Card from BOATsmart! in three steps: 1. Take the BOATsmart! California Boating Safety Course online. 2. Pass the California Boating Safety Test online. 3. Print a Certification of Completion immediately.
Boaters can prepare for the official California Boating Safety Test with the BOATsmart! Course which includes animated, narrated and illustrated lessons designed for all ages. The 3-hour California Boating Safety Course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways and is recognized by the US Coast Guard. The BOATsmart! California Boating Safety Course includes all the knowledge you need in order to obtain your California Boater Card.
No. Your California Boater Card will be good for life. But don’t be a stranger – BOATsmart! offers free refresher lessons that will help you keep your boating knowledge up to date! California’s boating laws may change over time. Make sure you’re in the know.
You can easily purchase a replacement California Boater Card from the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. The state of California charges a standard fee of $5.00 per replacement card.
No. The state of California does not require boaters to have a driver’s license in order to operate a boat. However, as of January 1st, 2020 a California Boater Card will be required for anyone under the age of 35, with everyone requiring a California Boater Card by 2025.
Depending on your age, the California Boater Card will be required for all operators of any motorized vessel, including Personal Watercraft (PWCs) and Jet Skis, when operating on California waterways.
The state of California requires that you spend a minimum of 3 hours studying the online course. The purchase of your BOATsmart! California Boating Safety Course includes unlimited lifetime access.
Yes. The California Boater Card is accepted in 40 states, which extend reciprocity. This means the BOATsmart! Course meets the National Standards established by NASBLA. This law applies to operators of motorized boats, but not in all states to operators of personal watercraft (PWCs). Always check the boating laws in the state you plan to visit prior to operating a boat or PWC there.
BOATsmart!® is North America’s Boating Educator, approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard. We’ve been delivering award winning online boating courses since 2003 and have certified more than 650,000 boaters. BOATsmart! is accredited and approved by the California State Parks, Division of Boating & Waterways, to deliver the official California Boater Card Course and Boating Safety Test.
Learn more about California Boating Regulations, Fines and boating destinations.
California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
1 Capitol Mall, Suite 500
Sacramento, California 95814
https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/
The official BOATsmart! California Boating Safety Course is approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard.
BOATsmart! has provided online boating safety education across North America since 2013. Our courses are designed and developed by real boaters, subject matter experts and instructional design educators. We’ve certified more than 650,000 boaters online and are proud to be the choice of boaters from coast-to-coast.
