Navigating California Waters: Understanding the Boating Safety Education Card Requirements

While it isn't recent news, not everyone is up to date on the current laws regarding boating in California. As of January 1, 2025, the phased-in portion of the law has ended. Starting this year, all operators of motorized boats (including jet skis) on California waterways must have a boater education card. If you're new to boating and plan to do so in California, or you're a seasoned boater but didn't realize you need a boater card, this guide is for you! Keep reading to learn about the California Boater Card and how to stay safe on the water.

The Genesis of the California Boating Law

The latest change to California boating laws stemmed from Senate Bill 941, signed into law by former Governor Jerry Brown on September 18, 2014. Senate Bill 941 effectively mandates boater safety education for anyone who intends to operate a motor-powered vessel on California waterways. On January 1, 2018, the legislation took effect for boaters under 20 years old, and new law requirements have gradually expanded since then to apply to all boaters by 2025.

The "Why" Behind the Law: Promoting Safety on Waterways

In 2015, California reported 369 accidents and 48 deaths from boating accidents. Most accidents involved boaters who hadn't completed a boater safety education course. U. S. Coast Guard accident data consistently conclude that states with some form of boating safety education had fewer accidents and fatalities than states without any boater education. This fact prompted the development of a safer solution for boaters in California.

Senate Bill 941 was created with the intent of promoting boat safety on California waterways. Boaters must complete boater safety training and pass a written test before being issued the California Boater Card. The state of California believed increasing the number of boaters taking approved safety courses would benefit all recreational boaters and drastically reduce accidents on the water. Educated boaters are safer boaters.

Implementation: A Phased Approach Culminating in Universal Requirement

The California Boater Card requirement was implemented in eight phases - and as we mentioned earlier, as of 2025, the phases have ended. Now, anyone operating a vessel, regardless of age, must successfully complete the education process. Phase 1 began on January 1, 2018, and covered boat operators 20 years old and younger. Then, at the beginning of each year, another segment of the population was required to complete the education process.

Read also: Lessons from Boating School

So, if you plan to operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC) this year -regardless of age) - you must pass a boater education course and have a card to do so safely and legally.

Exceptions to the Rule: Who Is Exempt?

California Boater Card notes the exceptions to this boating law in the state. They include:

A person who is a resident of another state or a foreign country who is operating a vessel and meets either of the following requirements:
- The person is temporarily using the waters of this state for a period not to exceed 60 days and meets the applicable requirements, if any, of their state of residency.
- The person is temporarily using the waters of this state for a period not to exceed 90 days and meets the applicable requirements, if any, of their country of residency.
A person operating a watercraft under the direct supervision of a person 18 years or older with an approved boater operator card.
A person operating a boat in an organized regatta, race, or water ski race.

Read also: Boating Safety Education
A person operating a rental vessel.
A person with a current commercial fishing license.
A person with a valid marine operator license for the waters upon which the licensee is operating, issued by the United States Coast Guard, or who has a valid certificate issued under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.
A person who has completed a boating course approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

The safest thing to do is get your California boater safety card, but if you fall under any of these exceptions, you can operate a boat without one.

Read also: Understanding Boating Regulations

The California Boater Card: Your Key to Legal and Safe Boating

The California Boater Card shows the carrier has successfully taken and passed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and state-approved boater safety education exam.

Obtaining Your California Boater Card: A Step-by-Step Guide

To get your California Boater Card before launching your boat in 2025 (and beyond), follow these steps.

1. Complete a Boating Safety Course

Boating safety course providers must be approved by NASBLA and be state-approved by the California Division of Boating and Waterways. Courses may be taken via classroom, home study, or online. Boat-Ed offers a self-paced, online course approved by the California Division of Boating and Waterways and by NASBLA. Completing this course will fulfill California state requirements for your boat safety education and allow you to move on to attaining your California Boating Card.

2. Apply for the California Boater Card Online

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways issues the card for $10. To get your card, fill out the application online. Then, hit the water with your card!

Consequences of Non-Compliance: Fines and Penalties

The California Boater Card is mandatory if you plan to operate a motorized vessel on California waterways. Failure to comply will result in fines that increase based on the number of previous violations. Fines for violations are as follows:

For an initial conviction, a fine of no more than one hundred dollars ($100).
For a second conviction, a fine of no more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
For a third or subsequent conviction, a fine of no more than five hundred dollars ($500).

Avoid fines and keep friends and family safe on the water by taking your boating safety course and getting your boater card!

Resources for Further Information

The Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is an official state division serving all recreational boaters. Take this California-approved online boating course to complete your boaters safety education. Boat-ed.com is a delegated provider for the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

Additional Information

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or a little at a time over several days. Log in and out at any time, and we'll keep track of your progress.
This official training program is developed to meet the standards for Boating safety education established by California. Boat Ed offers online courses that are fully mobile-friendly from start to finish.
For visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada’s requirements.
If you fail a unit quiz, you must restudy the unit and take the quiz again until you pass.
You must score at least 80% on the Certification Exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry.
Once you pay for and pass the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Certificate of Completion. This is your proof of online course completion.
The California Boater Card is proof that you have successfully completed all of the components of an approved Boating safety course and allows you to go boating.

Who Needs a Boater Education Certificate?

In California you need a boater education certificate (AKA boating license) to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) if you're under age 35.

The age requirements for boating safety certificates vary by state. Here's a compilation of different age-related regulations:

Yes In general, anyone 12 years old or older who operates a vessel on state waters.
Yes State law allows courts to order any boat operator that is convicted of a moving violation.
Yes Operators of vessels powered by motors of 10hp or more who are 21 years of age, or younger.
Yes 12 through 17 year olds who operate a motorboat over 10 h.p.
Yes 16 & 17 yr.
Yes Any person of at least 12 years of age and less than 16 yoa, operating a motorboat without adult supervision. PWC users 16 and 17 years of age. (PWC's cannot be operated by youth less than 16 yoa).
- May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without restrictions.
- May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if they are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years of age.
- May not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp legally under any conditions.
- May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp legally without restrictions.
Yes Persons born on or after Jan.
Yes Everyone 16 years of age or older operating a vessel over 25 horsepower.
Yes PWC operators between 14 and 16 years of age if they want to operate on their own.
Yes No person of twelve through fifteen years of age may operate a motorboat (includes personal watercraft, i.e.
Yes Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower.
Yes All persons from 12 to less than 16 years of age.
Yes TN Resident born after 1/1/89 must pass a proctored exam
No Any person (resident or non-resident) who was born after Jan. 1, 1989 must show proof they have completed an approved NASBLA course.
Yes Currently only ages 14 and 15 for personal watercraft.
Yes Operators of motorboats with 15 horsepower or greater, must be 12 years of age or older.
Yes Anyone born after Dec.

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