West Virginia Boating Regulations and Laws
The West Virginia Boater Education Card (also referred to as the
West Virginia boating license) is proof that a boater has taken and passed an
approved boater education course. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources currently has a mandatory boater education requirement that has been law
since January 1, 2001 requiring all boaters born on or after December 31, 1986 to have the West Virginia boating license on board when the vessel is
underway to satisfy the West Virginia boating regulations.
Many boating fatalities occur because boaters aren't educated about boating safety. The West Virginia DNR 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 your boater safety education card is mailed to
your home. In the meantime, you can print off a Certificate of Completion
that can be used as a temporary license to satisfy the West Virginia boating
regulations until your permanent boater safety education card arrives.
Where can I get the boater safety education course material?
All the required safe boating training
material to get your boater education card is available
for free at BoaterExam.com™. Simply visit
our West Virginia Safe Boating Course section
to gain access to the free training material. The West Virginia
Safe Boating Course is accredited by the West Virginia DNR.
Where can I get more information about West Virginia boating regulations and the West Virginia boater education card?
Answers to most of your questions about the West Virginia boater's license can
be found on our Frequently
Asked Questions page. You may also visit The West Virginia DNR for additional information, or you can contact
us and we will be glad to answer any of your questions.