The following boating safety course providers are the only ones approved by the State of California and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
Successfully completing a course from one of the providers below, and passing the exam, meets the qualifications to apply for a California Boater Card.
A+ Approved Boating Safety Course
- Name of course: 100% Online – Fast & Easy Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $34.95
- Customer Service: 1.844.368.2771
- Certified through 2026
Ace Boater
- Name of course: Safe Boating Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $34.95
- 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: $29.99
- 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
Drive a Boat USA
- Name of course: Drive A Boat USA Boating Safety Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course cost: $34.95
- Customer Service: 1.866.938.6373
- Certified through 2025
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
Super Quick Course
- Name of course: Quick Boater Course
- Course Type: Online
- Course Cost: $27.95
- Customer Service: 1.877.659.1242
- Certified through September 30, 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.
