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Q. What is the Michigan Boating Safety Certificate?
A. The Michigan Boating Safety Certificate (also known as the Michigan Boating License or boaters license) is proof that you have met the mandatory boat safety education requirements for the State of Michigan. The Michigan Boating Safety Certificate is good for life and does not need to be renewed.
Q. Boating License or Boating Safety Certificate... is there a difference?
A.The boating safety certificate is proof that you have successfully completed a boating safety course. The boating safety certificate does not expire and does not need to be renewed; therefore it is NOT a Michigan Boating License!
Q. I do not have a driver's license. Can I still get the Michigan Boating Safety Certificate?
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 Michigan Boating Safety Certificate?
A. You can obtain your Michigan Boating Safety Certificate in 4 easy steps:
- Study the Michigan Boating Safety Course
- Pass the Michigan boating license exam (pre-certification exam)
- Make payment for the Proctored Exam Ticket to bypass the classroom course
- Attend a proctored exam and obtain the Boating Safety Certificate
Q. What is the Proctored Exam Ticket?
A.The proctored exam ticket is generated once you have completed and paid for the online course and pre-certification exam. The voucher allows you to bypass the traditional classroom course and go straight to a proctored exam where you can obtain your boating safety certificate.
Q. How do I attend a proctored exam?
A. You must schedule a proctored exam with the Michigan DNR or your local County Sheriff’s Office to complete the certification process. You may only book a proctored exam once you have passed the online boating safety course.
Q. Who needs a Michigan boater license?
A. The Michigan DNR currently has a mandatory boater education requirement that requires all boaters between 12 and 16 years of age to have the Michigan boating safety certificate (also known as the Michigan Boating License onboard when the vessel is underway to operate without adult supervision.
Boater education is also required for all persons born after December 31, 1978 who are at least 14 years of age and who wish to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) on Michigan waters.
For more information on boat license requirements, consult the Michigan boating laws and regulations.
Q. How long is the boat safety course and boater license good for?
A. The boater license is good for life.
Q. How much does the boat safety course cost?
A. There is a one-time fee of $29.95 paid to BoaterExam for the proctored exam ticket. Payment is collected after the online boating safety course and pre-certification exam has been successfully completed. You only pay when you pass!
Q. Is there a time limit for the boat safety course or boating license test(pre-certification exam)?
A. You can take the boat safety course at any time, day or night. There is no time limit to take the course or to pass the test.
Q.What do I need to pass the online boating safety course
A. You need a grade of 80% or higher on the boating license test (pre-certification exam) to pass. That means 48 correct answers out of 60.
Q. Can I review my Boater Exam answers?
A. Yes, once you have completed the boating license test and submitted all your answers they are graded immediately. You have the opportunity to review all your Boater Exam answers, whether you have passed or failed the Boater Exam.
Q. Are there Boater Exam practice tests or sample boater exam questions available?
A. Throughout the boat safety course, you can take end-of-chapter-quizzes that prepare you for the final exam. These chapter quizzes are short boater exam practice tests that cover the same topics that are present in the boating license test.
Q. Is anyone exempt from obtaining the Michigan Boater License?
A. Yes, there are certain exemptions from the boat safety education requirement. For more information, check out the Michigan Boating Laws page.
Q. What are the technical requirements for the online boating safety course and boating license 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 |