BoaterExam.com
FeaturedOnline NASBLA-approved boater safety courses for many US states (and a Canadian option), issuing the required boater education card.
OnlineFrom $34.95NASBLA-approved
Every class type · Every state
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From the state safety card to a USCG captain's license — compare accredited courses and local schools, then enroll with confidence.
What kind of boating class do you need?
Eight course types, from the entry-level safety certification most states require to professional captain's licensing.
Boater Safety Certification
A boater safety course teaches the rules, navigation, and…
Captain's License
A USCG captain's license lets you carry paying passengers. The…
Sailing Lessons
Sailing lessons range from a first-time keelboat introduction…
Powerboat Handling & Docking
Powerboat handling courses build confidence with close-quarters…
PWC / Jet Ski Courses
Personal watercraft courses cover the safety rules and handling…
Paddlesports
Paddlesports instruction covers kayaking, canoeing, and…
Youth & Summer Camps
Youth and summer programs introduce kids to boating safety,…
Commercial / Professional
Professional and commercial training covers towing…
Featured providers
Boat-Ed
FeaturedThe state-contracted online boater safety course (by Kalkomey) that earns the official boater education card in nearly every state.
OnlineFrom $29.95NASBLA-approved
Mariners Learning System
FeaturedOnline USCG captain's license courses (OUPV and Master) completed entirely online, including an at-home proctored exam.
OnlineFrom $695USCG-approved
Latest guides
View all guidesBest Online Boating Safety Courses Compared
For most boaters the best online safety course is simply whichever NASBLA-approved course your state contracts — usually Boat-Ed. But if you want the lowest flat price, the widest availability, or a free option, the right pick changes. Here is an honest comparison.
3 min read
OUPV vs Master Captain's License — Which Do You Need?
If you want to take up to six paying passengers on an uninspected boat — fishing charters, dive trips, small tours — you need an OUPV (“Six-Pack”) license. If you'll carry more than six passengers or run an inspected vessel, you need a Master license. Both are issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.
2 min read
How to Get a Boating License in Florida
Florida doesn't issue a traditional boating license. Instead, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 must pass an approved boater safety course and carry a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card to legally operate a boat of 10 horsepower or more.
2 min read
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