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Get your WISCONSIN Boating License Online with Boater Exam®

Who needs to take the Wisconsin boaters safety course?

All boaters born on or after January 1, 1989 must have a Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate to operate any motorized watercraft. BOATERexam.com® is a delegated provider for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Please note that you must have a DNR number to get your boating safety certificate. For more information on the DNR number, please visit the DNR site.

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Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Approved by the

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Boating Safety Certificate is good for life

Good for life!

Get your official
Wisconsin Boating License

Complete the Wisconsin Boaters Safety Course in
4 Easy Steps

Take your BOATERexam® course and be certified for life!

Step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

Sign up for a Boaterexam® account, pay for the official course, and get started. It only takes a few minutes.

Step 2

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass the Online Course

Take the course on desktop, tablet or mobile. We automatically save your progress so you can learn at your own pace.

Step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Print Your Temp Card Immediately

Pass the online exam and print your temporary boating license immediately.

Step 4

est. 0 mins

Go Boating!

Hit the water! You're all set to legally operate a boat.

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Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate

Wisconsin Boater Safety Course

In Wisconsin, anyone born on or after January 1, 1989, must successfully complete a boater safety course approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in order to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft (PWC). Boaters are required to carry their boater safety course certificate as proof of boater education.



Boating Age Requirements

Boaters under the age of 10:
Cannot operate under any circumstances.

Boaters 10 to less than 12 years old:
Must have an adult onboard who is at least 18 years old.

Boaters 12 to less than 16 years old:
Must have an adult onboard who is at least 18 years old or…
Must carry onboard a valid Boating Safety Certificate approved by the state.

Boaters over 16 years old, born on or after January 1, 1989:
Must carry onboard a valid Boating Safety Certificate approved by the state.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Age Requirements

Operators under the age of 12:
Cannot operate under any circumstances.

Operators 12 to less than 16 years old:
Must carry onboard a valid Boating Safety Certificate approved by the state.

Operators over 16 years old, born on or after January 1, 1989:
Must carry onboard a valid Boating Safety Certificate approved by the state.

Mobile Optimized

Boating safety course on an iPad and iPhone

Study on Any Device

From laptop to mobile phone to tablet, choose when and where to take your boating course and get your Wisconsin Boating Card.

Visual Exam Questions

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Visual Exam Questions Help You Learn

We found out a long time ago that people learn best when they can see what they're learning. Shouldn't you be tested the same way? Every one of our exam questions is illustrated to help you get your boating licence.

Engaging Videos

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Hundreds of Engaging Videos

Our Wisconsin boating license course features hundreds of rich engaging boating videos and animations. That means you aren't just reading: You're watching, listening and learning.

Wisconsin Approved Boating License & Safety Course

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BOATERexam.com® is trusted by agencies across the United States to deliver the best of quality in boater safety. Our courses consistently receive the highest level of approval from agencies and from boaters.

This official Wisconsin boating safety course is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources logo

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster Street, PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
http://dnr.wi.gov

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FAQs about getting a Wisconsin Boating License

Below are some common questions about safe boating rules & regulations.

Q.

How much does the boat safety course cost?

A.

There is a one-time fee of $39.95 paid to BOATERexam.com®. It includes unlimited attempts at the final exam.

Q.

What payment methods are accepted?

A.

We accept payments by VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, PayPal, and Prepaid vouchers.

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.

Q.

What is the Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate?

A.

Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate (also known as the Wisconsin boating license or boaters license) is proof that you have met the mandatory boat safety education requirements for the State of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate is good for life and does not need to be renewed.

Q.

I do not have a driver's license. Can I still get the Wisconsin boater license?

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 Wisconsin boating license?

A.

You can obtain your Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate in 4 easy steps:

  1. Pay the one-time fee of $39.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam
  2. Study the Wisconsin Boaters Safety Course, and pass the final exam
  3. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources office to receive a DNR number if you do not already have one
  4. Print your Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate immediately

This official Wisconsin boaters safety course is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Q.

How long is the boat safety course and boater license good for?

A.

The boater license is good for life.

Q.

Is anyone exempt from obtaining the Wisconsin boating license?

A.

Yes, there are certain exemptions from the boat safety education requirement. For more information, check out the Wisconsin Boating Laws page.

Q.

Is there a time limit to complete the online course?

A.

You can take the online course at any time, day or night. However, courses must be completed within 90 days of payment at which time your access to the course will expire.

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.
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