FAQs • Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, WA

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Boater Education

1. Am I required to carry a Boater Education Card to operate all types of boats?

A card is only required when operating boats with motors of 15 horsepower or greater, which include all personal watercraft (e.g. Jet Skis). State law does not require operators of manually powered boats such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, drift boats and sail-only boats to carry a card.

Whether you cruise, sail, kayak, fish, or do yoga on a stand up paddle board, you need to know the laws and basics of boating safety. Even if you are not required to carry the card, we strongly recommend you to take a boating safety education course.

2. Who is exempt from having a Boater Education Card?

Exemptions are listed in RCW 79A.60.640. The following people are exempt from carrying a card:

People born before Jan. 1, 1955 do not need a card.
Operators of commercial fishing boats must have a valid commercial license or Boating Safety Education Card when operating a recreational vessel.
Operators with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) marine operator license must have valid USCG operator license or Boating Safety Education Card when operating a recreational vessel.
Operators of exempt vessels must have Boating Safety Education Card when operating a recreational vessel.
Operators of rented, leased, or chartered vessels must have a copy of the Commission-approved educational checklist in lieu of Boating Safety Education Card when operating a livery vessel.
An operator who is a resident of another state or country does not need a card for the first 60 consecutive days. After the 60 days, they must have a Washington Boater Education Card.
An operator who is a resident of another state or country who has a valid card from that state or country does not need a card for first 60 consecutive days. After the 60 days they must have a Washington Boater Education Card.
For a person purchasing a vessel the bill of sale showing date of purchase is valid in lieu of a Washington Boating Education Card for the first 60 days after purchasing a vessel.
A person not yet required to have a card does not need a card until date of phasing in.

3. What do I need to qualify for a Boater Education Card?: You must pass a state-approved boating safety course or equivalency exam. A variety of courses are available, ranging from online to in a classroom. People with a lot of experience and knowledge may choose an equivalency exam. After passing the course exam, you will receive a certificate of completion. Your certificate serves as proof of qualifying for a Boater Education Card.

4. How much does a Boater Education Card cost?: Your lifetime Boater Education Card will cost $10, payable by check or money order. However, an online course provider can charge a $.50 handling fee.

5. How can I get my Boater Education Card?: Complete and submit a Boater Education Card Application, along with a check or money order for $10 and a copy of your course completion certificate, to the address given on the application.

6. When will I receive my Boater Education Card?: Once your application, check, and supporting documents are received, it takes between four and six weeks to process and send your Washington Boater Education Card. If you don't recieve your card within about eight weeks from submitting your check and application, contact Washington State Parks Boating Program at (360) 902-8555 or email boating@parks.wa.gov.

7. Do I have to wait six weeks before I can operate a motorboat?: Boaters who have completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) course and passed the course exam may operate a motorboat for up to 60 consecutive days with a dated Certificate of Course Completion. It is recommended that boaters immediately apply for their Boater Education Card after completing a course.

8. Is the Boater Education Card a license?: No. Once you apply for and receive your Boater Education Card it is good for lifetime and cannot be taken away from you.

9. Is there a fine for not having a Boater Education Card in my possession when operating a motorboat?: Yes. The fine is $99.

10. Is my Boater Education Card good in other states and Canada that have mandatory boating education requirements?: Yes. All states that have mandatory boater education requirements will accept a Washington Boater Education Card. Through an agreement between Canada and NASBLA, we have reciprocity for United States boater education cards that are issued by states that meet NASBLA requirements.

11. Is an Oregon Boater Education Card valid in Washington?: Yes. If you are visiting Washington for less than 60 consecutive days, your Oregon card is valid. If you become a Washington resident, your Oregon Boater Education Card can be used to obtain a Washington Boater Education Card. This also is true for other state’s cards that meet the reciprocity requirements.

12. Is there any reason to get a Boater Education Card if I am not required?: Yes. Many older boaters are still getting cards anyway because they boat in Canada and Oregon. Canada and Oregon do not exempt people born before January 1, 1955.

13. What do I do if my Boater Education Card is lost or damaged?: You can get a replacement card for $5. See the Card Replacement Affidavit form for directions on applying for a replacement card.

14. What is the history of the Boating Safety Education Bill?: Legislation requiring boat operators to take a boater safety education course in order to operate a boat in Washington state was signed into law by Governor Chris Gregoire on May 11, 2005. The legislation was developed by the Washington Alliance for Mandatory Boater Education (WAMBE). WAMBE is comprised of representatives from a variety of boating-related organizations. The alliance includes representatives of the boating industry, representatives of recreational boating groups, as well as government, law enforcement, and marine safety groups. WAMBE was formed in September 2002 to improve recreational boating safety in Washington state.

The law is patterned after similar legislation in Oregon and requires completion of a basic boating class, or passage of an equivalency exam, to obtain a Boater Education Card. The Boater Education Card is required for operation of a motorboat with 15 horsepower or more. Like the Oregon law, the Washington law will have a phased-in period for compliance. The Boater Education Card is not like a driver's license. It is obtained once and is good for lifetime. The card informs law enforcement that the boat operator has a basic level of boating safety knowledge.

Washington joins 36 other states that have some sort of educational requirements for operating a boat. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's Boating Safety Program administers the provisions of the law. The administration of the law is fully supported by the $10 Boater Education Card user fee. The program is funded by boaters for boaters.