Frequently Asked Questions about Kentucky Boating Regulations and Laws

Q. What is the "Kentucky Boater Education Card"?

A. A Kentucky Boater Education Card (also referred to as the Kentucky Boaters License) is proof of competency of the basic rules of the water that all boaters should know.

Q. Do I have to get a Boater Education Card?

A. All Kentucky boaters between the ages of 12 and 17 years old must get a Kentucky Boater Education Card to legally operate a powered vessel over 10hp including PWCs, unless there is an adult who is 18 years of age or more on board to supervise and accompany them or with someone who has already obtained their boater education card. If you don't fall into this category, being certified has other benefits such as boat insurance discounts.

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

A. The minimum age to operate any motorized vessel over 10 horsepower including personal watercraft (PWC) is 12 years of age.

Q. How do I get my Kentucky Boater Education Card?

A. The steps required to get your Kentucky boater education card are as follows:

  1. Study the Kentucky boating safety course manual
  2. Take the Kentucky online boating exam
  3. Pay for your exam
  4. Print off your Certificate of Completion
  5. Wait for your Boater Education Card to arrive in the mail 3-5 weeks later

For a complete overview of the Kentucky online boating exam process, please visit our Kentucky Boater Education Card Online Exam Process overview page.

Q. What if I don't pass the Kentucky Boating Test?

A. No problem. At BoaterExam.com™, we have a Pay only when you Pass policy. There is no cost to retry the exam if you do not pass. You will receive your score and be allowed to review any of your wrong answers. You can then review the course material and take the exam again at no cost to you.

Q. How much does the exam cost?

A.The cost of the Boater Education Card is $29.95 which gives you access to an instant temporary certificate of completion as well as an official card that will arrive in the mail in 3-5 weeks.

Q. What payment methods are accepted?

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A. We accept payments by VISA, Mastercard, and PayPal.

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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 Boater Education Card arrives in the mail.

Q. When will I receive my Boater Education Card in the mail?

A. Your card will arrive in 3-5 weeks from the date you take your exam.

Q. Do I have a time limit for the exam?

A. No. The exam is not timed but inactive exams will be erased after 12 hours.

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 60 multiple choice questions.

Q. What is the passing grade?

A. The passing grade is 80%, or 48 correct answers out of 60 questions.

Q. What are the technical requirements for the online boating test?

  Minimum Recommended
Browser Internet Explorer 5.5+ or
Mozilla Firefox 1.0+
Internet Explorer 7 or
Mozilla Firefox 2.0
Operating System Windows 98 or
Mac OS 9
Windows XP or
Mac OS X
Screen Resolution 800x600 1024x768
Internet Connection dial-up high-speed
 
Kentucky Boater Education Card

Education Requirement

Boater Education is required for all persons between 12 and 17 years of age who operate a powered watercraft on Kentucky waters.

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Did you know...?

Many boaters incorrectly use the term "Kentucky Boating License" when referring to their Boater Education Card. The Boater Education Card is NOT a boating license. Unlike a driver's license, your Boater Education Card cannot be revoked and is good for life.

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All course material contained herein is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety.