Virginia Boating License vs. Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate?
Many boaters incorrectly use the term "Virginia Boating License", "Virginia Boaters License", or "Virginia Boat License" when they refer to the boating safety certificate. In fact, the boating safety certificate is NOT a license. The certificate does not expire, cannot be revoked, and never needs to be renewed, which is the case with a driver's license.
You can get your Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate online by completing the online Virginia Safe Boating Course and passing the safe boating exam. Once you have passed the final exam you will have the chance to print out a temporary certificate immediately, and your permanent certificate will arrive in the mail within a few weeks.
So why is it called a Virginia Boating License?
Since many people are used to using the term "license" it's a natural assumption that you need a boating license to drive a boat instead of a boating safety certificate. The Virginia Boating Safety Certificate is what you need in order to drive a boat on Virginia's waters.