how long does the ca boating course take

by Willa Nitzsche 5 min read

How much time will it take to complete an approved boating safety course including the exam? Approved online courses run a minimum of three hours to complete. Classroom and home study courses vary in length, with most classes no more than eight hours.

Full Answer

How long does it take to get a boaters license in California?

Your permanent license will be mailed to you within 60 days. All mailed-in certificates and payments must be sent to the following address: California’s boaters safety courses are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW).

How long does it take to take a boating safety course?

The BoatUS Foundation offers the only FREE online boating safety course developed specifically for your state. 4 - 6 Hours. Free Boating Safety Course. Cruising Boats & Systems ~ Choose and Equip Your Boat ~ 2 Hours. Cruising Boats & Systems. Propane Systems on Your Boat ~ Safe operation, maintenance, and inspection ~ 2 Hours.

What is the official California boating card course?

BOATsmart! is accredited and approved by the California State Parks, Division of Boating & Waterways, to deliver the official California Boater Card Course and Boating Safety Test. Learn more about California Boating Regulations, Fines and boating destinations. The official BOATsmart!

Is the 3-hour California boating safety course approved?

The 3-hour California Boating Safety Course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways and is recognized by the US Coast Guard. The BOATsmart!

How long does it take to get a California boater card?

within 30 daysOnce DBW has received your application, proof of education and payment, you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email. You should receive your official boater card by mail within 30 days from the time the application was approved.

How long does a CA boating license last?

California boating law requires boaters to obtain and carry a California Boater Card (CBC) while operating a recreational motorized vessel on California waterways. This card is often called the 'California boating license'. The CBC requirement will be phased in over 8 years.

How many questions are on the California boaters exam?

60 multipleThe exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions.

Is boater education required in California?

California Boating Laws and Regulations As of January 1, 2020, California law requires all boaters 35 years of age or younger to carry a California Boater Card. All boaters regardless of age are required to obtain a California Boater Card by 2025.

Can you drink while boating California?

While it isn't illegal to drink alcohol on a boat, it is against the law to operate a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. The blood alcohol limit for boating is the same as that for driving a car - 0.08%.

Who is exempt from California boating license?

Who will be exempt from holding a boater card in California? A person operating a rental vessel. A person operating a vessel while under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older who is in possession of a boating license.

Is the boaters exam multiple-choice?

A. The boater's exam consists of 36 multiple-choice questions.

What happens if you fail the Boatsmart exam?

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T PASS? You can retry your official boating test once every 24 hours. If you fail the test more than once, Transport Canada requires that you retake the online boating course. Your one-time fee includes unlimited retries and unlimited access to the online boating course.

Do you need a boating license to rent a boat in California?

No – operators who are renting a boating in California are not required to obtain a Boater Card, however it is highly recommended. Most boating accidents occur because operators didn't have the proper knowledge and training to operate safely.

Do you need a boating license in California for a jet ski?

California law requires a person to be 16 years of age or older and in possession of his/her California Boater Card to legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 hp or more, including personal watercraft (PWCs).

What is the maximum speed for no wake speed in California?

Wake jumping cannot be done within 100 ft of another vessel's stern. Operate at slow-no-wake speed, maximum 5 mph limit when: Within 200ft of a surfer, diving flag, bank or wading angler, dock, swim float, boat launch, ramp, pier, marina, floating home, moorage area, or boathouse. Within 100ft of a swimmer.

Do you need a permit to kayak in California?

All motorized vessels must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This includes kayaks and canoes that have trolling motors attached. Once you've registered you will receive a Certificate of Number, a Certificate of Ownership and registration stickers.

How much does the California Boat Ed Course cost?

The California Boat Ed Course fee is $39.95.

Are there any age or operator restrictions for boating in California?

See the restrictions here.

Do I have to complete the course all at once?

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or completed a little at a time over several days. All pay...

What is the minimum age to take this online course?

There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.

Do I have to be a resident to take the California Boat Ed Course?

You do not have to be a resident of California to take this online course.

Is the California Boat Ed Course approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways?

The California Boat Ed Course is approved and accepted by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

Is my California Boater Card accepted elsewhere?

For visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Plea...

I failed a unit quiz. Have I failed the course?

If you fail a unit quiz, you must restudy the unit and take the quiz again until you pass. You must score at least 70% on the unit quizzes to pass.

Do I have to take an online exam?

The Certification Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 80% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited at...

How old do you have to be to take boating classes?

Studies show that states with boating education have fewer accidents and fatalities. While applicants under the age of 20 are the only bracket currently required to take classes, after 2025 all boaters will need to pass the examinations. Depending on the type of course, the length may vary.

How old do you have to be to get a boating license in California?

California Boat License Requirements. While the state’s mandatory boating license age does not currently include all applicants, boaters must be at least 16 years old to apply. The requirements are different from neighboring states. Therefore, you are required to apply for a license if you operate a vessel on state waterways.

What age do you need a boater license in California?

A California boating license or Boater Card is required for all applicants under the age of 20 operating a motorized vessel on state waterways. All applicants, regardless of age, will be required to hold a boater card after 2025. While educational courses are mandatory for anyone applying for a license, they are also available to boaters interested ...

How long is a boater card valid in California?

Temporary cards are only valid for 90 days. Your permanent license will be mailed to you within 60 days. All mailed-in certificates and payments must be sent to the following address: Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways – California Boater Card P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001.

How long does it take to get a temporary license?

A temporary license will be emailed to you with three to five days of your application being received. Your new card will be mailed to you with 60 days. If you are paying by check, you must include the confirmation coversheet in the envelope and send all items to the below address.

How long is a motorboat?

Motorboats less than 26 feet in length but longer than 16 feet. Motorboats less than 40 feet in length but longer than 26 feet. Motorboats less than 65 feet in length but more than 40 feet. Depending on the specific boat requirements, you may need to carry some or all of the following safety equipment: Life Jackets.

Do boating licenses expire?

Do boating licenses expire? No. Once issued, your license is valid for life. However, if you lose your card, you can replace it. Replacements may be ordered through the state’s online portal. Follow the below steps to complete the process.

How many questions are asked in the California boater card exam?

This DBW course meets the new California Boater Card education requirement. It can be read online or downloaded to a home computer. The exam consists of 60 questions. Students who use the online book may order individual exam packets. This national and state approved course allows boaters to study at home at their own pace, and it covers state and federal boating laws, rules of the road, boat handling, required equipment, navigational aids, accident reporting and special topics.

How long are Coast Guard classes?

Both classes generally last 13 weeks and cover legal requirements, rules of the road, aids to navigation marlinspike seamanship, charts and compasses and boat handling.

How can boaters prevent accidents?

The good news: Boaters can prevent most accidents by learning safe boating techniques and using common sense. California boating safety courses are designed to provide boaters with state specific boating laws and federal navigation requirements in many different environments to suit individual boater needs.

What is the California boater card number?

California Boater Card (CBC) Courses/Classes. California Boater Card inquiries - 1-844-421-8333.

What is aquatic center?

Aquatic centers are operated by universities, colleges, local public agencies, and non-profit organizations, provide classroom and on-the-water boating safety education in kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, powerboating, sailing, personal watercraft operation and other aquatic activities. Some centers specialize in programs for the disabled.

How to get a boating license in California?

You can get your California Boating Card— commonly called a “boating license” —by passing a California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) and NASBLA-approved boating safety test. To prepare for the test and meet the Boater Card competency requirements, you should take the approved boating safety education course at Aceboater.com.

How long can you stay on a boat in California?

A person who is a resident of a state other than California who is temporarily operating a vessel in California for less than 60 days and meets the boating requirements, if any, of his/her state. A person who is a resident of a country other than the United States who is temporarily operating a vessel in California for less than 90 days ...

How to operate a motorboat in California?

To operate a motorboat in California, the California Division of Boating and Waterways requires that all boaters carry the California Boater Card while operating a motorboat. You will need to complete an approved boating safety course to get your California Boater Card. The state boating law is phased in over the years, according to your age group.

What is a boater card in California?

What is a California Boater Card? The California Boat Card is proof that the holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety exam. Since January 1, 2018, people wishing to operate a motorized vessel on California waterways need to carry the California Boat Card.

What is a California boat card?

The California Boat Card Program promotes boating safety on our waterways. U. S. Coast Guard accident data show that states with some form of boating safety education have fewer accidents and fatalities than states without any boater education requirements.

How many horsepower can a 16 year old motorboat have?

A person under the age of 16 may not operate a motorboat of more than 15 horsepower unless the boat is a sailboat and does not exceed 30 feet in length - OR - the boat is a dinghy and is operated between a moored boat and shore, or to go between two moored boats.

How old do you have to be to operate a PWC?

PWC Operation: A person under the age of 16 may not operate a PWC of more than 15 horsepower unless that person is between the ages of 12 and 15, and is directly supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years of age.

When will California boaters be required to get a boater card?

However, as of January 1st, 2020 a California Boater Card will be required for anyone under the age of 35, with everyone requiring a California Boater Card by 2025.

What is a boater card in California?

What is a California Boater Card? The California Boater Card is proof that a boater has successfully passed the California Boating Safety Test. Beginning on Jan 1, 2018, the state of California began phasing in a law that requires boaters to obtain and carry a boater card. The law is being phased in over 8 years.

How to get a boater card?

You can obtain your official Boater Card from BOATsmart! in three steps: 1. Take the BOATsmart! California Boating Safety Course online. 2. Pass the California Boating Safety Test online. 3. Print a Certification of Completion immediately.

How much does it cost to replace a California boater card?

The state of California charges a standard fee of $5.00 per replacement card.

What is paddlersmart course?

The PADDLERsmart! course is perfect for anyone participating in paddle sports including canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Whether you’ve been paddling for years or just getting started, you’ll learn everything you need to stay safe on the water.#N#$24.95 value. Get it free when you purchase your BOATsmart! Course.

Is the California Boating Safety Course approved?

Trusted from coast-to-coast, California approved. The official BOATsmart! California Boating Safety Course is approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard.

Is a boater card the same as a boating license?

Boaters commonly refer to the Boater Card as a California boating license however , this is incorrect.

What is a California boater card?

A: The California Boater Card will show that its holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety education examination. Beginning Jan. 1, 2018, California is phasing in by age the requirement that residents who operate a motorized recreational vessel on state waterways will be required to carry the California Boater Card. The card will be issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW).

When will the boater card be required?

A: The new requirement will begin on Jan. 1, 2018 for all persons 20 years of age and younger who operate a recreational motorized vessel on state waterways. On that date these boaters will be required to carry a boater card issued by DBW, unless they meet certain exemptions stated below.*

What bill prohibits boating in California?

On Sept. 18, 2014, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. signed into law Senate Bill 941, which prohibits the operation of motorized vessels in California without a valid Boater Card developed and issued by DBW.

Do you need a boater card to operate a motorized recreational vessel in California?

A: According to California law the following persons will not be required to have a boater card to operate a motorized recreational vessel on California waterways when the requirements go into effect beginning in January 2018:

Is boating mandatory in California?

A: Not only is mandatory education the law, the California Boater Card Program promotes boating safety on our waterways. U. S. Coast Guard accident data show that states with some form of boating safety education have fewer accidents and fatalities than states without any boater education requirements. In 2015, 724 California recreational vessels were involved in reported accidents and 49 boaters died. More than 232 boaters were injured in severity beyond first aid treatment. Only one of the boat operators involved in fatal accidents had taken an approved boating safety course. Increased numbers of boaters taking approved safety courses will benefit all California recreational boaters.

Is a boating course a NASBLA approved course?

A: Boating safety course providers must be NASBLA approved and be state-approved by DBW. Courses may be classroom, home study or online. The current list of approved courses can be found online at www.CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.

Boating License in Ontario

Since 2010, all Canadians are required to hold a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) in all provinces across Canada. This boat license card is issued by Transport Canada and is valid in Ontario as well as all other provinces.

Who needs a boating license in B.C.?

If you operate a powered watercraft in the province of British Columbia, then you need to carry a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Sometimes referred to as a boating license, the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is actually a federal certificate issued by Transport Canada and valid in all Canadian provinces and territories.

Classroom Boating Courses and Boater Exams in Canada

Looking for a boating license course in Ontario, or BC? We offer fully approved Boater Exam's® across Canada! Find the safe boating license courses to receive your pleasure boat operators card in the following provinces:

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