Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the "Connecticut Safe Boating Card or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation"?

A. The Connecticut Safe Boating Card or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (also referred to as the Connecticut Boaters License) are proof of competency of the basic rules of the water for motorboats and personal watercraft that all boaters should know. The Safe Boating Card (SBC) must be carried with you whenever you are operating a powered motorboat and the Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) must be carried with you when operating a PWC to avoid high fines.

Q. Do I have to get the Connecticut Safe Boating Card?

A. If you are 12 years of age or older you are required to get the SBC and CPWO to operate any powered watercraft or PWC over 10hp.

Q. What is the minimum age to operate a Powered Vessel including Personal Watercraft (PWC) in Connecticut?

A. Any boater less than 12 years old who possesses a Safe Boating Card (SBC) or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) may operate a boat up to 10 hp alone. To operate a boat over 10 hp, the child operator must be accompanied by an adult (18+ years of age) who also possesses a SBC or CPWO.

The minimum age to operate a PWC alone is 16, as of 1 January 2004. This is for all CPWO issued after 31 December 2003.

Q. How do I get my Connecticut Safe Boating Card?

You must successfully complete an in-class safe boating course and proctored exam. For a list of classroom courses please visit the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection online at www.ct.gov/dep/boating.

Q. How much does the exam cost?

A. The Connecticut safe boating course and practice exam found on this site are provided as a study tool for a classroom course at no charge.

Q. Can I write the exam at any time? Day or Night?

A. Yes. The exam is available to you at any time of the day, every day of the week.

Q. How many questions are on the exam?

A. The exam consists of 7 Practice Quizzes and each consists of 10 multiple choice questions.

Q. What is the passing grade?

A. The passing grade is 80%, or 8 correct answers out of 10 questions on each Practice Quiz.

Q. What are the technical requirements for the online boater exam?