Take a course
The following boating safety courses are the only courses approved by the State of California and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Successfully completing an exam from one of these courses meets the qualifications to apply for a California Boater Card.
A Course for Safe Boating
- ORDER NOW FREE HERE
- Offered by California Division of Boating and Waterways
- Customer Service: 1.888.362.2822
- Certified through 2017
About Boating Safely
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Customer Service: 1.877.875.6296
- Certified through 2019
America’s Boating Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by U.S. Power Squadrons
- Customer Service: 1.888.367.8777
- Certified through 2018
Basic Powerboat Cruising Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by US Sailing/US Powerboating
- Customer Service 1.401.683.0800
- Certified through 2019
Boat California Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by Boat Ed
- Customer Service: 1.800.830.2268
- Certified through 2018
Boating Skills and Seamanship
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Customer Service: 1.877.875.6296
- Certified through 2019
BOATsmart! Boating Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by BOATsmart!
- Customer Service: 1.705.745.2878
- Certified through 2017
BoatU.S. Online Boating Safety Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by BoatU.S. Foundation
- Customer Service: 1.800.245.2628
- Certified through 2018
California Boater Education
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by Boat Tests 101
- Customer Service: 1.888.885.8830
- Certified through 2017
California Boater Education Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by Boater Exam America
- Customer Service: 1.866.688.2628
- Certified through 2018
Safe Boating Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by Ace Boater
- Customer Service: 1.800.607.2329
- Certified through 2017
Safe Powerboat Handling Course
- Course Cost: please visit provider website
- Offered by US Sailing/US Powerboating
- Customer service: 1.401.683.0800
- Certified through 2019
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.
