MENU

Take your CALIFORNIA Boater Exam® Online

Who needs to take the California boaters safety course?

If you operate a motorized vessel on California waterways you will be required to have a California Boater Card. The law will be phased-in for all boaters over the next 8 years. BOATERexam.com® is a delegated provider for the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

Get Certified

Returning user? Log in here

California Boater Card
California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways

Approved by the

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways

Boater Card is good for life

Good for life!

Get your official
California Boating Card

Complete the California Boaters Safety Course in
4 Easy Steps

Take your BOATERexam® course and be certified for life!

Step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

Sign up for a Boaterexam® account, pay for the official course, and get started. It only takes a few minutes.

Step 2

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass the Online Course

Take the course on desktop, tablet or mobile. We automatically save your progress so you can learn at your own pace.

Step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Complete Additional State Requirements

As a final step, a state-required in-person component is needed to obtain certification.

Step 4

est. 0 mins

Go Boating!

Hit the water! You're all set to legally operate a boat.

Over 2,000,000 boating students certified and counting:

BOATERexam.com has a TrustPilot rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 17707 ratings and reviews.

California Boater Card

Who needs the California Boater Card?

California's boating education law went into effect January 1, 2018 for all persons 20 years of age and younger. The law will be phased-in for all boaters over the next 8 years. If you operate a motorized vessel on California waterways you will be required to have a California Boater Card. The California Boater Card is good for life.


2018 20 years of age or younger
2019 25 years of age or younger
2020 35 years of age or younger
2021 40 years of age or younger
2022 45 years of age or younger
2023 50 years of age or younger
2024 60 years of age or younger
2025 All persons regardless of age

Does California Require a California Boating Education Card?

Yes. By 2025 all California boaters will be required to have a California boater card. Boat operators cited without a boater card may receive a fine of up to $100 for the first conviction, $250 for the second and $500 for the third.



Is a California Boater Card the same as a Boating License?

The California Boater Card is proof that you have successfully completed an approved boating safety course and allows you to go boating on state waterways. It is often mistakenly called the California boating license, however, because a California Boater Card does not expire and does not need to be renewed, it is not a license.

Mobile Optimized

Boating safety course on an iPad and iPhone

Study on Any Device

From laptop to mobile phone to tablet, choose when and where to take your boating course and get your California Boating Card.

Visual Exam Questions

person looking at screens of the illustrated boating safety course

Visual Exam Questions Help You Learn

We found out a long time ago that people learn best when they can see what they're learning. Shouldn't you be tested the same way? Every one of our exam questions is illustrated to help you get your boating licence.

Engaging Videos

person pressing play on a boating safety course video on a tablet screen

Hundreds of Engaging Videos

Our California boating course features hundreds of rich engaging boating videos and animations. That means you aren't just reading: You're watching, listening and learning.

California Approved Boating & Safety Course

Map of the United States

BOATERexam.com® is trusted by agencies across the United States to deliver the best of quality in boater safety. Our courses consistently receive the highest level of approval from agencies and from boaters.

This official California boating safety course is approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways logo

California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways
1 Capitol Mall, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
http://www.dbw.ca.gov/

Progressive and Boaterexam.com

Protect your on-water adventures

Relaxing on the water is easy when you’re protected with a leader in boat insurance. Progressive has the coverages you need to explore carefree and full of adventure! Discover how we can protect your boat today with coverage we offer to the 1 million+ watercraft we already insure.

Get a Quote
Established 1937, 1+ million boats insured

Wavve Boating

A Wavve of Savings

Get your first year FREE!

Complete your course and get the first year of Wavve Boating for FREE.

Learn More

California Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions about safe boating rules & regulations.

Q.

How much does the boat safety course cost?

A.

There is a one-time fee of $39.95 paid to BOATERexam.com®. It includes unlimited attempts at the final exam.

Q.

What payment methods are accepted?

A.

We accept payments by VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, PayPal, and Prepaid vouchers.

Q.

What is the "Certificate of Completion"?

A.

The Certificate of Completion is proof of competency and proves that you took a boater education course and passed. You upload the Certificate of Completion to the state website to obtain your California Boater Card.

Q.

What is the California Boater Card?

A.

The Boater Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boater Education Certificate will arrive within 1-2 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

Q.

I do not have a driver's license. Can I still get the California boater license?

A.

Yes. You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a Boater Card.

Q.

How can I get my California boating license?

A.

The steps required to get your California Boater Card are as follows:

  1. Pay the one-time fee of $39.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam
  2. Study the California Boaters Safety Course and pass the final exam
  3. Download your Certificate of Completion
  4. Upload your Certificate of Completion on the state website to obtain your California Boater Card

NOTE: For a complete overview of the California online boating exam process, please visit the California Boater Card website.

This official California boaters safety course is approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

Q.

How long is the boat safety course and boater license good for?

A.

The boater license is good for life.

Q.

Is anyone exempt from obtaining the California boating license?

A.

For a list of exemptions for the California Boater Card, please visit the California Boater Card website.

Q.

Is there a time limit to complete the online course?

A.

You can take the online course at any time, day or night. However, courses must be completed within 90 days of payment at which time your access to the course will expire.

Q.

How many questions are on the exam?

A.

The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

Q.

What is the passing grade?

A.

The passing grade is 80%, or 48 correct answers out of 60 questions.
A customer service agent with blue hair on laptop

Need Help? Visit the BOATERexam.com® Help Center

The BOATERexam.com® Help Center is the place to find answers and solutions to your questions.
We've helped over 2 million people get certified online. So, we know what it takes.

Visit the Help Center
Support