Get your VIRGINIA Boating Certificate Online with Boater Exam^®

Who needs to take the Virginia boaters safety course?

All PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators regardless of age need to take the boating safety course. BOATERexam.com^® is a delegated provider for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

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Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate

Approved by the

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Good for life!

Get your official
Virginia Boating Certificate

Complete the Virginia Boaters Safety Course in
4 Easy Steps

Take your BOATERexam^® course and be certified for life!

Step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

Step 2

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass the Online Course

Take the course on desktop, tablet or mobile. We automatically save your progress so you can learn at your own pace.

Step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Print Your Temporary Certificate Immediately

Pass the online quizzes and print your temporary boating certificate immediately.

Step 4

est. 0 mins

Go Boating!

Hit the water! You're all set to legally operate a boat.

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Virginia Boater Safety Course

For a personal watercraft (PWC), the minimum operator age is 14 and operators must complete and pass a boating safety course before they can operate. For a motorboat, there is no minimum operator age and there is no minimum age requirement to attend a NASBLA-approved boating safety course. Youngsters can operate a boat under direct supervision of a person who meets the boating safety education requirement.

Boating Age Requirements

No person aged 13 or younger may operate a PWC.
PWC operators who are 14 and 15 years of age must have proof of successful completion of an approved boater safety course that is approved by the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Age Requirements

As of July 1, 2012, all personal watercraft operators, regardless of age, must have proof of successful completion of an approved boating safety course in order to operate a PWC
PWC operators who are 14 and 15 years old must have proof of successful completion of a NASBLA-approved boater safety course
No person 13 years of age or younger may operate a PWC

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Mobile Optimized

Boating safety course on an iPad and iPhone

Study on Any Device

From laptop to mobile phone to tablet, choose when and where to take your boating course and get your Virginia Boating Card.

Visual Exam Questions

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Visual Exam Questions Help You Learn

We found out a long time ago that people learn best when they can see what they're learning. Shouldn't you be tested the same way? Every one of our exam questions is illustrated to help you get your boating licence.

Engaging Videos

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Hundreds of Engaging Videos

Our Virginia boating certificate course features hundreds of rich engaging boating videos and animations. That means you aren't just reading: You're watching, listening and learning.

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$39.95

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Virginia Approved Boating Certificate & Safety Course

BOATERexam.com^® is trusted by agencies across the United States to deliver the best of quality in boater safety. Our courses consistently receive the highest level of approval from agencies and from boaters.

This official Virginia boating safety course is approved by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
7870 Villa Park Drive, PO Box 90778
Henrico, VA 23228
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov

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FAQs about getting a Virginia Boating Certificate

Below are some common questions about safe boating rules & regulations.

How much does the boat safety course cost?

There is a one-time fee of $39.95 paid to BOATERexam.com®. It includes unlimited attempts at the final exam.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept payments by VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, PayPal, and Prepaid vouchers.

What is the "Certificate of Completion"?

The Certificate of Completion is a temporary proof of competency and proves that you took a boater education course and passed.

What is the Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate?

Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate (also known as the Virginia boating license or boaters license) is proof that you have met the mandatory boat safety education requirements for the State of Virginia. The Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate is good for life and does not need to be renewed.

I do not have a driver's license. Can I still get the Virginia boater certificate?

Yes. You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a Boating Safety Education Certificate.

How can I get my Virginia boating certificate?

You can obtain your Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate in 3 easy steps:

Pay the one-time fee of $39.95 – free unlimited retries of chapter quizzes
Study the Virginia Boaters Safety Course, and pass the end-of-chapter quizzes
Print your Certificate of Completion, and receive your permanent Virginia Boating Safety Education Certificate in the mail within 3-4 weeks

This official Virginia boaters safety course is approved by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

How long is the boat safety course and boater certificate good for?

The boater certificate is good for life.

Is anyone exempt from obtaining the Virginia boating certificate?

Yes, there are certain exemptions from the boat safety education requirement. For more information, check out the Virginia Boating Laws page.

Is there a time limit to complete the online course?

You can take the online course at any time, day or night. However, courses must be completed within 90 days of payment at which time your access to the course will expire.

Is there a final exam?

There is no final exam. After successfully passing the end-of-chapter quizzes, you will have completed the online course.

What do I need to pass the online Virginia Boater Safety Course?

You need a grade of 90% on each end-of-chapter quiz to pass.

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Get your VIRGINIA Boating Certificate Online with Boater Exam®