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Get your PENNSYLVANIA Boating License Online with Boater Exam®

Who needs to take the Pennsylvania boaters safety course?

All boaters born on or after January 1st, 1982 to operate a motorboat greater than 25HP or who operate a personal watercraft, regardless of age must have a Pennsylvania Boating Safety Certificate. BOATERexam.com® is a delegated provider for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

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Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

Approved by the

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

Boating Safety Education Certificate is good for life

Good for life!

Get your official
Pennsylvania Boating License

Complete the Pennsylvania 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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Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate

Pennsylvania Boater Safety Course

In Pennsylvania, anyone born on or after January 1, 1982, must successfully complete a boater safety course approved by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to operate a motorboat greater than 25 hp. All personal watercraft (PWC) operators, regardless of age, are required to complete an approved boater safety course as well. Boaters and PWC operators must carry their Boating Safety Education Certificate as proof of boater education.



Boating Age Requirements

In Pennsylvania, no one may operate a motor-powered vessel over 25 hp if they are 11 years of age or younger.

Certain exceptions to this requirement do exist. Boat operators who are from out of state are exempt from obtaining their Pennsylvania Boating Safety Certificate under the following circumstances:

  • If they are operating on Pennsylvania's waters for less than 60 days
  • If they have a NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Certificate from their home state

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Age Requirements

  • In Pennsylvania, no one may operate a personal watercraft (PWC) if they are 11 years of age or younger, under any circumstances
  • All persons eligible to operate a PWC in Pennsylvania are required to obtain and have their Boating Safety Education Certificate onboard with them while underway
  • If the PWC operator is between the ages of 12 and 15, they are prohibited from having any passengers onboard who are 15 years old or younger
  • PWC’s cannot be rented to anyone under 16 years of age, nor can someone who is under the age of 16 operate a rented PWC

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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania boating safety course is approved by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission logo

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Avenue, PO Box 67000
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
http://www.fishandboat.com/Pages/default.aspx

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FAQs about getting a Pennsylvania 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 $34.95 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 Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate?

A.

Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate (also known as the Pennsylvania boating license or boaters license) is proof that you have met the mandatory boat safety education requirements for the State of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education 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 Pennsylvania boater license?

A.

Yes. You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a Boating Safety Education Certificate.

Q.

How can I get my Pennsylvania boating license?

A.

You can obtain your Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate in 3 easy steps:

  1. Pay the one-time fee of $34.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam
  2. Study the Pennsylvania Boaters Safety Course, and pass the final exam
  3. Print your Certificate of Completion, and receive your permanent Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks

This official Pennsylvania boaters safety course is approved by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

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 Pennsylvania boating license?

A.

Check out the Pennsylvania Boating Laws page to see if there are any exemptions from the boat safety education requirement.

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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