MENU

Get your DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Boating License Online with Boater Exam®

Who needs to take the District of Columbia boaters safety course?

Anyone operating a vessel on District of Columbia waterways is required to have a Boating Safety Certificate. BOATERexam.com® is a delegated provider for the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol.

Get Certified

Returning user? Log in here

District of Columbia Boating Safety Certificate
District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol

Approved by the

District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol

Boating Safety Certificate is good for life

Good for life!

Get your official
District of Columbia Boating License

Complete the District of Columbia 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

Print Your Temp Card Immediately

Pass the online exam and print your temporary boating license immediately.

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.

District of Columbia Boating Safety Certificate

Who needs the DC Boater Card?

The District of Columbia Harbor Patrol currently has a mandatory education requirement that requires all boaters on District of Columbia waters to carry a Boating Safety Certificate with them while they are on the water.

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

District of Columbia Approved Boating License & 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 District of Columbia boating safety course is approved by the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol.

District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol logo

District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol
550 Water St., SW
Washington, DC 20024
http://mpdc.dc.gov/page/harbor-patrol-original

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

FAQs about getting a District of Columbia Boating License

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 a temporary proof of competency and proves that you took a boater education course and passed. This certificate is valid for 60 days from the date you take your exam and should should be carried with you when you boat until your permanent District of Columbia Boating Safety Certificate arrives in the mail.

Q.

What is the District of Columbia Boating Safety Certificate?

A.

The Boating Safety Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boating Safety Certificate will arrive within 8-10 business days after you complete all certification requirements.

Q.

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

A.

Yes. You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a Boating Safety Certificate.

Q.

How can I get my District of Columbia boating license?

A.

You can obtain your District of Columbia boater license in 4 easy steps:

  1. Pay the one-time fee of $39.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam
  2. Study the District of Columbia Boaters Safety Course
  3. Take the District of Columbia online boating exam
  4. Print off your Certificate of Completion immediately, and receive your permanent District of Columbia Boating Safety Certificate in the mail within 8-10 business days

This official District of Columbia boaters safety course is approved by the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, Harbor Patrol.

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 District of Columbia boating license?

A.

Check out the District of Columbia Boating Laws page to see if there are any exemptions from the boat safety education requirement.

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