Oregon Boating Regulations

The Oregon Boater Education Card is proof that a boater has taken and passed an approved boater education course. The Oregon State Marine Board is gradually phasing-in the mandatory boater education requirement that has been law since 1999. Currently all boaters 70 years old and younger are required to have the Oregon boater education card on board when the vessel is underway to satisfy the Oregon boating regulations.

Many boating fatalities occur because boaters aren't educated about boating safety. The Oregon State Marine Board believes that an educated boater is a safer boater.

Where can I take my safe boating exam and get my Boater Education Card?

You can take your safe boating exam directly on the Internet at BoaterExam.com™. Once you pass the exam and pay the $29.95 exam fee you have two options to obtain your Oregon Boater Education Card:

Option 1: Full Serve (recommended)
We will automatically send in the application for your Oregon Boater Education Card to the Oregon State Marine Board — we do all the work for you!

• No need to fill out and mail the application form
• No need to mail a separate money order to the Oregon State Marine Board — Pay the $10 state fee directly online
• Your Official Oregon Boater Education Card is mailed to your home within 2 - 3 weeks
• Print an Oregon Certificate of Completion (acts as a Temporary for 60 days from the date of completion) — Go boating right away!
• This is quickest and most convenient way to get your card

Option 2: Self Serve
You will send in the application for your Boater Education Card to the Oregon State Marine Board.

• You must print out the Oregon Certificate of Completion (acts as a Temporary for 60 days from the date of completion)
• You must print and fully complete the application form.
• You must then mail a copy of your Certificate of Completion, the Application Form, and a $10.00 check or money order to the Oregon State Marine Board.
• After your application form has been received, your Official Oregon Boater Education Card is mailed to your home within 2 - 3 weeks

• Overview of the Oregon online boating exam process

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

All the required study material to get your boater education card is available for free at BoaterExam.com™. Simply visit our Oregon Safe Boating Course section to gain access to the free study material. The Oregon Safe Boating Course is accredited by the Oregon State Marine Board.

• Free Safe Boating Course for Oregon

Where can I get more information about Oregon boating regulations and the Oregon boater education card?

Answers to most of your questions about the Oregon boater education card can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page. You may also visit The Oregon State Marine Board for additional information, or you can contact us and we will be glad to answer any of your questions.

• Frequently Asked Questions about the Oregon Boater Education Card
• BoaterExam.com™ Contact Information

When can I get my boater education card?

Younger Than 12 Years Old

• Not legally allowed to operate a powered watercraft

12 Years Old to 15 Years Old

• Required to carry their Oregon Boater Education Card on-board to operate a powered watercraft 10 hp OR LESS unsupervised.
• Required to carry their Oregon Boater Education Card on-board AND have a Card-holding adult (16 years of age or older, 18 years of age for personal watercraft) on-board in direct supervision in order to operate a powered watercraft GREATER than 10 hp.

16 Years and older to 70 Years Old

• Required to carry the Oregon Boater Education Card to operate any powered watercraft greater than 10 hp.

71 Years and older

• Will be required to get the Boater Education Card next year.