NORTH CAROLINA BOATER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE,
We Make it Simple
Your Official North Carolina Boater Education Certificate in 3 easy steps.
Start the boating course now and be on the water today.
Step 1
TAKE THE BOATING COURSE ONLINE
Take the official BOATsmart! Course online and watch, listen and learn on any device. Our animated, narrated and brilliantly illustrated boating course puts you right in the Captain’s seat. Everything you need to pass the North Carolina Boating Safety Test and boat with confidence included.
- Made for boaters, by boaters
- Designed for all ages and abilities
- Study at your own pace, your progress is tracked automatically
- Optimized for all devices, including mobile
Step 2
PASS THE OFFICIAL TEST
The North Carolina Boating Safety Test is open-book and available to boaters of all ages.
- State Approved North Carolina Boating Safety Test
- No minimum age
- Unlimited free test retries included
Step 3
PRINT YOUR TEMP CARD
Yeah buoy! You’re a captain now! You’ve now gained the knowledge to boat with confidence. Immediately upon passing the test, you’ll be able to print a temporary North Carolina Boating Safety Certificate. Your permanent card is mailed at no charge.
- Print your temporary North Carolina Boater Education Certificate immediately
- Receive your permanent card within 4 weeks
- Your North Carolina Boater Education Certificate is good for life
NORTH CAROLINA’S OFFICIAL ONLINE BOATING SAFETY COURSE
The BOATsmart! Course is Approved by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and includes all the knowledge required to obtain your North Carolina Boater Education Certificate. Take the boating course online at your own pace with easy-to-understand, step-by-step lessons.
Excellent!
Step Inside the
Boatsmart! Course
The BOATsmart! Course includes all required NASBLA syllabus standards in an easy-to-navigate and understandable format, organized into 6 learning modules and practice quizzes that help you test your comprehension prior to the final test.
1.
BOATING BASICS
- The Boating Basics
- Parts of a Boat and PWC
- Boating Terminology
- North Carolina Age and Horsepower Restrictions
- North Carolina Mandatory Education Requirements
- North Carolina Registration and Titling Requirements
- Boat Capacities
- Reciprocity Regulations and Federal Documentation
- Boat Theft Prevention
- Module 1 Summary and Quiz
2.
BOATING EQUIPMENT
- Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
- Life Jacket Classifications
- Flotation Aids and Throwable Devices
- North Carolina Life Jacket Laws
- Life Jacket Laws for Children
- Fire Extinguishers and Federal Requirements
- Navigation Lights and Requirements on Boats
- Sound Signal Devices and Requirements
- Visual Distress Signals and Requirements
- Module 2 Summary and Quiz
3.
GETTING ON THE WATER
- Local Weather and Water Conditions
- Weather Reports and Stormy Weather
- Boat Maintenance
- Developing a Float Plan
- Boat Storage
- Towing and Trailering
- Launching and Loading
- Fueling a Boat or PWC
- Docking and Casting
- Anchoring your Boat
- Module 3 Summary and Quiz
4.
SAFE BOAT OPERATION
- Environmental Laws and Regulations
- Toxic Substances
- North Carolina Waste Disposal Laws
- North Carolina Aquatic Nuisance Species
- Alcohol and Drug Use
- North Carolina Laws for Operating Under the Influence
- Boater Common Courtesy
- North Carolina Laws for Negligent/Reckless Boat Operation
- No Wake and Limited Wake Restrictions
- Homeland Security Measures
- North Carolina Muffler and Noise Level Laws
- North Carolina Law Enforcement Authority
- Module 4 Summary and Quiz
5.
NAVIGATION THE WATERWAYS
- Navigation Rules
- North Carolina Boat Speed Limits and Restricted Areas
- Position and Course of Direction
- Right-of-Way
- Navigation Sound Signals
- Navigating at Night
- Navigation Lights
- Lateral Marking System and Buoys
- Red Right Returning
- Non-Lateral Marking System
- Intracoastal Waterways
- The Western Rivers System
- Module 5 Summary and Quiz
6.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
- Diving, Snorkeling, Towed Sports
- Use of Hand Signals
- Boating Hazards and Dangers
- Safe PWC Operation
- Safety Tips for Paddlers
- Capsizing and Person Overboard
- Running Aground
- Fire Emergencies
- Hypothermia and Cold Water Immersion
- Hunters and Anglers as Boaters
- Rendering Assistance and Reporting Emergencies
- North Carolina Boat Accident Reporting Requirements
- Module 6 Summary and Quiz
“GREAT COURSE! COVERED EVERYTHING NEEDED. HIGHLY RECOMMEND BOATSMART!”
– Glenn R, Apex, NC –