Home /
USA /
Washington / Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Washington Boater Education Card?
A. The Washington State Boater Education Card (also known as the Washington Boating License or boaters license) is proof that you have met the mandatory boat safety education requirements for the State of Washington. The Washington Boater Safety Education Card is good for life and does not need to be renewed.
Q. Boating License or Boater Education Card... is there a difference?
A.The boater education card is proof that you have successfully completed a boating safety course. The boater education card does not expire and does not need to be renewed. Although many people call it a Wasghington boating license, it is actually a boater education card!
Q. I do not have a driver's license. Can I still get the Washington Boater Education Card?
A. Yes. You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a boater education card.
Q. How can I get my Washington State Boater Education Card?
A. You can obtain your Washington State Boater Education Card in 4 easy steps:
- Study the Washington Boating Safety Course
- Pass the Washington Boating License Test
- Make payment for the course after you pass the test
- Print a temp card right away and receive your permanent card in 2-3 weeks.
Q. Who needs a Washington boater license?
A. In 2012 all boaters on Washington's waters who are 40 years of age and younger must have a Washington Boater Education Card when operating a powered vessel over 15 hp. For more information on boat license requirements consult
the Washington State 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 and an additional $10 collected for the state issued boater education card. Payment is collected after the online boating safety test has been successfully completed. You only pay when you pass!
BoaterExam will collect the $10 fee and handle the processing of your Washington Boater Education Card. Alternatively, you can pay the $29.95 fee to BoaterExam and send a separate $10.00 cheque to the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission along with the application form to get your boater education card.
Q. Is there a time limit for the boat safety course or boating license test?
A. You can take the boat safety course at any time, day or night. This is a required study course, so you must spend the required time on each page in the study guide; 3 hours of total study time is required to complete the course. There is no time limit during the boating safety test.
Q.What do I need to pass the boating license test?
A. You need a grade of 80% or higher on the boating license test to pass. That means 60 correct answers out of 75.
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 Washington Boater License?
A. Yes, there are certain exemptions from the boat safety education requirement. For more information, check out the Washington 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 |