Mandatory Boating Safety Education

Information Sheet - July 2005

Mandatory Boating Safety Education is now a reality for Washington Boaters. Starting in January 2008, boaters 20 years old and under will need to have their cards with them when operating a boat. State Parks is currently implementing the process for approval of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) that will define how the program will operate. Meanwhile, everyone has questions and this sheet is provided to answer as many of these questions as possible at this time.

1. Is this card a license?

   No, the education card is a one-time requirement and cannot be taken away from the operator nor does it have an expiration date.

   
   
2. When will I need to have a card?

   Here is how the program will be phased in:
   
   January 1, 2008 - All boat operators twenty years old and younger;
   January 1, 2009 - All boat operators twenty-five years old and younger;
   January 1, 2010 - All boat operators thirty years old and younger;
   January 1, 2011 - All boat operators thirty-five years old and younger;
   January 1, 2012 - All boat operators forty years old and younger;
   January 1, 2013 - All boat operators fifty years old and younger;
   January 1, 2014 - All boat operators sixty years old and younger;
   January 1, 2015 - All boat operators seventy years old and younger;
   January 1, 2016 - All boat operators over 12 years will be required to have a card.
   Persons born before January 1, 1955 are exempt.
   
   State Parks is planning to start making cards available in the spring of 2006 for persons who have already taken courses approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and State Parks.

   
   
3. Do I have to wait to get my card until the year it is required?

   No. If you are otherwise eligible, you may apply for a card in the spring of 2006. Watch for further information on when the applications will be available on our website: http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating.asp in the spring of 2006.

   
   
4. Do I have to get a card if I was born before 1955?

   You do not need a card if you were born before 1/1/1955, but you may choose to get a card if you will be boating in Canada or Oregon since they do not have any age group exempted. You may also choose to get a card to help support the state mandatory education program.

   
   
5. Who does not have to get a card?

   The following persons have been exempted from the requirement to have an education card:

   1. A commercial fisherman licensed by the Washington State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife but you must carry a copy of your valid commercial license with you.
   2. A person with a valid marine operator license issued by the Coast Guard when operating a vessel authorized by the Coast Guard license but you must carry a copy of your valid marine operator license with you.
   3. A person who is operating a vessel exempt from vessel registration, but they must have a card when operating a private or recreational vessel.
   4. A person who is renting, chartering or leasing a motor-driven vessel, but they must complete a check list of operating instructions, equipment operation and safety information.
   5. A person who is not a Washington resident and who does not operate a vessel for more than 60 consecutive days in Washington.
   6. A person who is not a resident of Washington and has an out-of-state card or certificate that is equivalent to courses approved by the Commission.
   7. The purchaser of a newly purchased boat may use the bill of sale as a temporary document to operate a vessel for 60 days after purchase. Bills of sale must show date of sale and must be carried by the operator. A vessel registration may also be used for the same 60 day period.
   8. A person is accompanied by and is under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 16 years old and who either has a boating education card or is not yet required to posses a card. See schedule of phase-in above for exact years when age groups are required to have cards.
   9. A person of any age who is practicing for or engaged in a permitted race event.
   10. A person who is not yet required to have a card.

   
   
6. How will people take classes to meet the requirements for a mandatory education card?

   State Parks will review and approve courses that meet requirements as set forth in the law. Both for profit and non-profit businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate as course providers. The primary providers of courses must meet the standards set by the Commission including the approval of NASBLA, who have set the national standards for boating safety education. Some local law enforcement agencies may also choose to provide training classes for boaters.
   
   People will have the opportunity to take classroom courses, on-line courses, home-study courses and proctored challenge exams to complete their requirements.

   
   
7. How can people find out where to take a class?

   First, each business or organization will certainly want to advertise their classes. Then, State Parks will do our best to put the information on when, where and who to contact provided to us by any approved course providers on our webpage at http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating.asp after January 1, 2006. If you are a course provider, you will want to keep our agency up to date on your class schedules.
   
   State Parks plans to provide opportunities for boaters to take challenge exams at boat shows and non-profit organizations and other providers may also arrange with State Parks to sponsor times when boaters can take challenge exams.

   
   
8. How much does a card cost?

   When you first complete an application for a card, there is a $10 fee. If you lose or damage your card, or for some other reason need to get a card replaced, there will be a $5 fee for the replacement.

   
   

For more information, please contact Dona.Wolfe@parks.wa.gov or call (360) 586-6599.

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