how long is the florida boater safety course

What are the requirements to operate a boat in Florida?

• A proof of ownership document such as: Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin. Official statement of the vessel's builder. Dealer's bill of sale.
• A completed application for a boat title . Only available in person at the tax collector/license plate agent office.
• Payment for the necessary boat titling fees.

How to learn to be a boater?

Boating season is in full swing in Maryland ... Although similar to automotive repair, it has nuances that you need to learn in order to maintain the engine or ensure a speedy and efficient repair. There are, however, not enough trained and qualified ...

How to get a boating license in Florida?

How to Get Your Florida Boating License. Once you are eligible and have determined you require a license, your first step will be to complete a boating safety course. You can do this at your own pace, either in one sitting or over a few days. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll need to take and pass the exam.

Which boats require registration?

The only exceptions are:

• Sailboats and sailboards under 12 feet in length
• Other small, non-motorized vessels, such as canoes and kayaks
• Vessels registered in other states using New Hampshire waters for 30 or fewer consecutive days
• Vessels owned or operated by the U.S. government

How long does it take to get a boating license in Florida?

Some do charge a small fee and the course may take up to eight hours to complete. All boater education courses require you to take an exam and get at least 80% of the answers to pass the course. When you do pass, you will get a temporary card while you wait for your Boater Education Card.

Is boater safety course required in Florida?

In order to operate a motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or greater, Florida law requires anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the FWC.

How many chapters are in the Florida boating course?

five chaptersThe boat safety course manual consists of five chapters packed with boating tips along with the nautical rules of the road.

How long is a Florida boaters license good for?

How long can I use the certificate in lieu of the card? The course completion certificate can be used for up to 90 days and it is not a permanent replacement for the Boating Safety Education I.D.

How much is the Florida boating license?

You can obtain your Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. Card in 3 easy steps: Pay the one-time fee of $34.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam. Study the Florida Boating Safety Course, and pass the final exam.

Can I get my Florida boaters license online?

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Do you need a boaters license to rent a boat in Florida?

The short answer is no; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which regulates boating, does not require a “boating license”. However, it does require that you be familiar with boating safety, which can be demonstrated in different ways.

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

no need to print it out. Anyone born on or after January 1st, 1988 is required by law to have a boating license permit to operate a personal watercraft in the state of Florida.

Can you drive a boat with a DUI in Florida?

But it is illegal to operate a vessel while intoxicated or impaired. Boating under the influence is similar to a DUI, and Florida officials take enforcing boating under the influence in Florida just as seriously as they do drunk driving laws.

Can you drink and drive a boat in Florida?

It is a violation of Florida law to operate a vessel while impaired by alcohol or other drugs. A vessel operator suspected of boating under the influence must submit to sobriety tests and a physical or chemical test to determine blood- or breath-alcohol content.

Is a Florida boating license valid in other states?

Good news! If you've successfully completed an official boating safety course such as boat-ed or ilearntoboat, your boater education card is welcome in every state that requires mandatory boater education.

What is required to have on a boat in Florida?

One Coast Guard-approved Type I, II or III Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board or being towed on water skis etc. Fire extinguisher(s) of the appropriate size and type for your boat. Visual Distress Signals (on high sea, and coastal waters)

Here's how to get started or return to your course

We launched a completely new platform for our free online course on 11/18/2020! Our old course system is officially retired but if you need to access your certificate of completion, you can request a copy through this form

Questions About Cards

You can print your 90-day temporary course completion certificate from your My Courses screen or your completion email and use it immediately.

Great course, and so much more convenient than going at night for several nights... Keep up the great work, and see you on the water

Thank you so much! This was a great course and I learned so much. Hope you have a great weekend!

How to Use GPS

Are you new to electronics on your boat or uncomfortable with the operation of the electronics that you have? We can help!

Modern Marine Navigation

Learn the basics of plotting, reading charts, identifying ATONs and using them to find your way on the water.

All About Marine Radio

This course will teach you how to choose the proper Marine VHF radio for your boating style and give you the confidence to operate it effectively.

Online Courses

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course: (Free for Florida residents ages 12 to 18.) The only course in the nation to combine both hunting and boating safety.

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course: (Free for Florida residents ages 12 to 18.) The only course in the nation to combine both hunting and boating safety.

What is a boat smart course?

The BOATsmart! Florida State Approved Boating Safety Course is 100% narrated, brilliantly illustrated and includes animated lessons that keep it fun and help you retain the knowledge you need to boat safely. The course includes everything you need to pass the test and obtain your official Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.

What is a non-resident boater?

A non-resident who has in their possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Course or equivalency examination from another state. A person who is operating a boat within 90 days of purchasing the boat and has available for inspection, a bill of sale meeting Florida’s requirements.

How long can you use a boating safety certificate?

How long can I use the certificate in lieu of the card? The course completion certificate can be used for up to 90 days and it is not a permanent replacement for the Boating Safety Education I.D. Card.

What is the minimum horsepower required to operate a motorboat in Florida?

The state boating requirements are to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued identification card if were born on or after January 1, 1988 and want to operate a motorboat with 10 horsepower or more.

Is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission approved?

Yes, this course has been approved through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and accepted through the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

Do I need a boating license in Florida?

Do I need a boating license? According to the FWC, Florida does not have a "boating license". The Boating Safety Education Identification Card is proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to start boating, and has no expiration date.

How long is a TC valid in Florida?

The TC is valid for 90 days. The TC should be available for inspection by a law enforcement officer when operating a vessel in Florida, along with a photo ID. The impact on current TC paper exam providers is minimal. All the current requirements remain the same.

What is a temporary certificate in Florida?

The temporary certificate (TC) is a knowledge check which satisfies the requirement for a boater to have a boating safety identification card to operate a boat in Florida. If you are just visiting Florida, please check the list of vendors that issue paper temporary certificates, or you may take the exam online.

How many questions are asked in the online exam?

The online exam will still be 25 questions, randomly selected from a large bank of questions. If a person passes the exam, they will be provided with an electronic temporary certificate showing their successful completion and their passing score.

Is the Florida TC exam online?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) amended Rule 68D-36.108, Florida Administrative Code, “Florida Boater Education Temporary Certificate Program,” in August 2017, to allow for the TC exam to be offered as an online examination. The rule can be accessed at the Florida Department of State website.

Do I need to purchase a TC exam from FWC?

They are not required to purchase paper TC exams from FWC. They are not required to mail completed paper TCs back to FWC. They can provide the link for the TC online exam on their website or to their customers directly. The TC exam, whether paper or online, is a knowledge check, not an education.

Does FWC offer TC exam?

Whether a company is a provider of the paper TC exam, or not, FWC encourages them and their renters to use the new TC online exam. Benefits to liveries using the online TC exam include: They are not required to contract with anyone to use the online TC exam. They are not required to purchase paper TC exams from FWC.