Wisconsin Boating Laws and Regulations
The Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate (also referred to as the
Wisconsin boating license) is proof that a boater has taken and passed an
approved boater education course. In Wisconsin waters, if you were born on or after January 1, 1989, you're required to complete a
boating safety course to legally operate a motorized boat or personal watercraft (PWC). Anyone is eligible to take a boating
safety class and receive a safety education completion certificate, although the certificate is not valid for a child until
he or she is 12 years old.
Many boating fatalities occur because boaters aren't educated about boating safety. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources believes that an educated boater is a safer boater.
Where can I take my safe boating exam and get my Boating Safety Certificate?
You can write your safe boating exam directly on the Internet at
BoaterExam.com™.
Once you pass the exam your boating education card is mailed to
your home. In the meantime, you can print off a Certificate of Completion that can be used until your permanent Boating Safety Certificate arrives. Your permanent Boating Safety Certificate will arrive
in the mail after about 3 to 5 weeks.
Where can I get the boater safety education course material?
All the required safe boating training
material to get your boating education card is available
for free at BoaterExam.com™. Simply visit
our Wisconsin Safe Boating Course section
to gain access to the free training material. The Wisconsin
Safe Boating Course is accredited by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
What is a DNR Customer and where can I get it?
A DNR Customer Number issued to you by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. If you do not already have a DNR Customer Number, you can find out how to get one
here
.
Getting a Customer DNR Number is a new requirement of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for all students in any of their programs.
Where can I get more information about Wisconsin boating regulations and the Wisconsin Boating Safety Certificate?
Answers to most of your questions about the Wisconsin boater's license can
be found on our Frequently
Asked Questions page. You may also visit The Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources for additional information, or you can contact
us and we will be glad to answer any of your questions.