Courses information
The following boating safety courses are the only courses approved by the State of California and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. The fee charged is determined solely at the discretion of the course provider. The Division of Boating and Waterways does not receive any money from course fees charged. Some online courses are free and others have a fee.
Successfully completing a course from one of the providers below, and passing the exam, meets the qualifications to apply for a California Boater Card.
Ace Boater
- Name of course: Safe Boating Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $29.95
- Customer Service: 1.800.607.2329
- Certified through 2023
America’s Boating Club/U.S. Power Squadrons
- Name of course: America’s Boating Course
- Course Type: Classroom/Online
- Course Cost: Varies
- Customer Service: 1.888.367.8777
- Certified through 2024
Boat Ed
- Name of course: Boat California Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $39.95
- Customer Service: 1.800.830.2268
- Certified through 2024
Boater Exam America
- Name of course: California Boater Education Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $34.95
- Customer Service: 1.866.764.2628
- Certified through 2023
BOATsmart!
- Name of course: BOATsmart! Boating Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $34.95
- Customer Service: 1.877.655.7778
- Certified through 2024
BoatTests101
- Name of course: California Boater Education
- Course Type: Online (English & Spanish)
- Course Cost: $24.00
- Customer Service: 1.888.885.8830
- Certified through 2023
BoatU.S. Foundation
- Name of course: BoatU.S. Online Boating Safety Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: None
- Customer Service: 1.800.245.2628
- Certified through 2025
California Division of Boating and Waterways
- Name of course: California Course for Safe Boating
- Course Type: Home study/Ebook
- Course cost: None
- Customer Service: 1.888.362.2822
- Certified through 2024
ilearntoboat
- Name of course: Boat California Interactive Course
- Course Type: Online/Interactive
- Course Cost: $54.95
- Customer Service: 1.800.830.2268
- Certified through 2024
Safe2Boat
- Name of course: Fastest Boat Course Allowed
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $27.95
- Customer Service: 1.800.810.3446
- Certified through 2025
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Name of course: Boat America: A Course on Responsible Boating
- Course Type: Classroom
- Course Cost: Varies
- Customer Service: 1.877.875.6296
- Certified through 2023
- Name of course: Boating Skills and Seamanship
- Course Type: Classroom
- Course Cost: Varies
- Customer Service: 1.877.875.6296
- Certified through 2023
US Sailing/US Powerboating
- Name of course: Basic Powerboat Cruising
- Course Type: Classroom/On-the-water
- Course Cost: Varies
- Customer Service 1.401.683.0800
- Certified through June 31, 2023
- Name of course: Safe Powerboat Handling
- Course Type: Classroom/On-the-water
- Course Cost: Varies
- Customer service: 1.401.683.0800
- Certified through June 31, 2023
The State of California does not grant reciprocity beyond 60 days for out-of-state boaters in possession of his/her state issued boater card. Please view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) for more details.
