How to Apply for Your California Boater Card
Step 1: After reading these steps, please click the “Start Application” button on the bottom of this page.
Step 2: Select “NEW”. Complete the application.
Step 3: Select one of the two options to provide proof of education:
- I want to upload my Boating Safety Education Certificate now.
- Must be JPEG or PDF files only and with a size not greater than 5Mb.
- Must be a CA certificate from one of the approved courses
- OUT OF STATE Certificates/cards are NOT ACCEPTED – Do not upload
- USCG License’s are NOT ACCEPTED – Do not upload
- POST certificates are NOT ACCEPTED – Do not upload
- Must be JPEG or PDF files only and with a size not greater than 5Mb.
- I have not completed my Boating Safety Education and/or Final Exam at this time, or I need an ApplicationID to obtain my certificate of completion.
- After payment and confirmation, you will receive an Application ID.
Step 4: Pay the $10 boater card fee using one of the following options (no cash allowed):
- Visa, MasterCard, or Discover
- Personal check, cashier’s check or money order to: (Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing)
- Department of Parks and Recreation
Division of Boating and Waterways – California Boater Card
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
- Department of Parks and Recreation
Step 5: If you chose to take your boating safety education at a later time, you will receive an Application ID. Please visit CaliforniaBoaterCard.com to take one of the approved courses and exam. You will then provide your Application ID to one of the approved course providers, and pass the corresponding exam. The course provider will submit your Application ID to DBW as proof of meeting the California Boater Card education requirements. You do not need to send us your certificate of completion.
Step 6: If you are sending a check and/or submitting a copy of your approved education certificate by mail, you will need to print out the confirmation coversheet and attach it to the check or proof of education prior to sending to the Division at:
- Department of Parks and Recreation
Division of Boating and Waterways – California Boater Card
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Step 7: Once the Division approves the application, proof of education, and payment, you will print your 90-day temporary California Boater Card and then receive your permanent card by US Mail within 7-10 business days. Please allow 0-3 hours to receive your temporary boater card by email. Please check your spam folder if it does not arrive in your inbox.
