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Mandatory Boater Education

Course options • Getting a card • New card application • Replacing a card

Mandatory Boater Education Course options

Following are the various ways boaters can take an approved course, including classroom, classroom/hands-on, online or at home.
Some courses have an associated cost, while others are free. Boaters are encouraged to find the course option that best suits their needs. Boaters who believe they could pass an exam without reference material may take an equivalency exam.

Class Schedule

The class schedule (PDF download) reflects all upcoming classes reported to State Parks from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron and independent instructors. Other certified classes may be offered, but not reflected on this schedule.



Classroom courses

Classroom courses vary in length and cost, depending on the course provider. Classes offer students the chance to interact with an instructor who is an experienced boater as well as learn specific local boating information and network with other boaters.

The following organizations offer boating education classroom courses:

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

About Boating Safely

  • Course length: Eight- to 12-hour course
  • When: One full day; two half days; or one night a week for four to seven weeks
  • Cost: Fees vary
  • Course description

Boating Skills and Seamanship

  • Course length: Eight- to 13-lesson course (exceeds minimum state requirements)
  • When: Weekly for six to seven weeks
  • Cost: Fees vary
  • Course description

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary class schedule



U.S. Power Squadron

Squadron Boating Course

  • Course length: Seven weeks (exceeds minimum state requirements)
  • When: Six or seven, two-hour classes
  • Cost: Fees vary
  • Course description

America's Boating Course (ABC)

  • Course length: Eight-hour course
  • Study material used: America's Boating Course handbook and CD-ROM
  • When: One night per week for three or four weeks; or, two half-days
  • Cost: Fees vary by location
  • Course description

For USPS District 16 class schedules, go online or call (888) FOR-USPS.

For USPS District 32 class schedules, go online or call (888) FOR-USPS.



Adventures in Boating Washington - Classroom Course

This course was developed specifically for Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. The independent instructors teaching this course are certified by the agency. The Adventures in Boating Washington, A Course on Responsible Boating manual is used in the classroom. The course covers a number of important safety topics (course description).

The course length, date and cost all vary depending on the independent instructor teaching the course. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission does not establish the course fees or location of the classroom. Several community colleges offer this course through their continuing education programs.



Classroom with hands-on training

Classroom and hands-on courses vary in length and cost, depending on the course provider. Classes offer students the chance to take a certified boater safety course, while interacting with an instructor who is an experienced boater. The on-the-water boat handling skills are designed to make you comfortable, knowledgeable and safe.

The following organizations offer boating education classroom with hands-on training:

Adventures in Boating-Washington with hands-on training

  • Course length: Eight hours of classroom and varying number of hours for on-the-water boat handling skills training.
  • When: By appointment
  • Cost: Fees vary
  • Course description

For information about Adventures in Boating-Washington with hands-on training, call (503) 887-0899 or send an e-mail to bbmbc02@frontier.com.



Windworks Sailing & Powerboating Center

  • Course length: Total of 16 hours, with eight hours of classroom and eight hours of on-the-water boat handling skills training.
  • When: By appointment
  • Cost: Fees vary
  • Course description

For information on the Windworks Sailing & Powerboating Center, visit online or call (206) 784-9386.



Online courses

Washington State Parks has approved all of the online courses listed below, but does not recommend any course specifically. The courses are listed in alphabetical order by name. The online course providers are privately owned. Washington State Parks does not receive any money from course fees charged.

Some online courses are free and others have a fee. The fee is charged usually for exam results and only when the exam is passed. The course fee charged is determined solely at the discretion of the online course provider.

Two online course providers have requested and have been authorized to sell the Washington State Boater Education card and collect payment online once the course has been taken and passed. This allows boaters to eliminate the step of mailing an application and check to Washington State Parks.

Online provider: Adventures in Boating – Washington
Study material needed: Adventures in Boating Handbook
Practice test available: Yes. Practice quizzes are offered after each section and allow unlimited free practice tests.
Pay online for the education card: Yes. The card costs $10 plus a 50-cent handling fee.
Cost: $29.50 for exam results, only when you pass.
Customer Service: (800) 830-2268



Online provider: America's Boating Course
Study material needed: America's Boating Course handbook and CD-ROM (shipped immediately upon on-line order confirmation)
Practice test available: Yes. Unlimited free practice tests are offered. On-line certification exam offered for fee of $10.00.
Pay online for the education card: No. Boaters need to mail the application form, copy of completion certificate and $10 fee.
Cost: $34.95 (+ S&H) (does not include certification exam or WA Boater Education card).
Customer Service: 1-866-BOAT ABC (1-866-262-8222)



Online provider: American Boating Education
Study material needed: Washington Boat Operator online manual
Practice test available: Yes, Free practice quizzes are offered after each section.
Pay online for the education card: No. Boaters need to mail the application form, copy of completion certificate and $10 fee.
Cost: $14.95 for exam results, only when you pass.
Customer Service: (877) 677-2628



Online provider: BoaterExam Washington
Study material needed: Fully animated and narrated, with visuals in all exam questions
Practice test available: Yes
Pay online for the education card: Yes. The card costs $10
Cost: $29.95 paid after Chapter 1
Customer Service: (866) 764-2628



Online provider: BoatU.S. Foundation Online Boating Safety Course
Study material needed: Online Course Manual
Practice test available: Yes. Practice quizzes are offered after each section and allow unlimited free tests.
Pay online for the education card: No. Boaters need to mail the application form, copy of completion certificate and $10 fee.
Cost: No charge
Customer Service: (800) 245-2628, ext. 3208



Home Study Courses

The Adventures in Boating Washington home study course consists of an online study guide and certification exam booklet. The course offers the basics of safe boating that all recreational boaters should know and covers a number of important laws and regulations. A certificate of accomplishment is issued upon successful completion of the exam.

To take a home study course:

  1. Read the online study guide Boat Washington Course. You do not need to register for the course for access to the online study guide.
  2. To request the certification exam booklet, send an e-mail with the following information:
    • Date of birth
    • First and last name (exactly how it appears on your current government-issued photo identification (e.g. driver’s license, state I.D. card or passport)
    • Mailing address (including city, state and zip code)
    • E-mail: BOATEXAM@parks.wa.gov

Note: Send only one name per e-mail request. A unique numbered certification exam booklet and detailed instructions will be mailed to you. Allow up to two weeks for delivery.

If you have any questions regarding the Boater Education Card Home Study program, send an e-mail to BOATING@parks.wa.gov or call (360) 902-8555.



Equivalency Exams

If you are an experienced boater and have a good working knowledge of navigation rules and Washington laws, you may opt to take a 75-question equivalency exam with no reference material.

To request a equivalency exam, send an e-mail to BOATING@parks.wa.gov with the following information:

  • Date of birth
  • First and last name (exactly as it on your current government-issued photo identification (e.g. driver’s license, state I.D. card or passport)
  • Mailing address (including city, state and zip code)

Note: Send only one name per e-mail request. A unique numbered certification exam and detailed instructions will be mailed to you. Allow up to two weeks for delivery.