How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

Virginia Frequently Asked Boating Questions

The Virginia ilearntoboat Course fee is $54.95.

You need boating education in Virginia if you will be operating a PWC or motorboat.

See the restrictions here.

There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.

You do not have to be a resident of Virginia to take this online course.

The Virginia ilearntoboat Course is approved and accepted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

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.

The Final Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 90% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.

Once you pass and pay for the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Temporary Boater Education Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Temporary Boater Education Certificate right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you. This certificate EXPIRES 90 days after course completion.

The Boater Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boater Education Certificate will arrive within 3-4 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

All motorboat operators using a motor of 10 horsepower or greater (including boats documented by the U.S. Coast Guard) and also personal watercraft operators (i.e. jet ski) are affected by the new law. Sailboat operators do not have to meet the requirement unless the sailboat has a motor that is 10 hp or greater (whether or not the engine is running). A canoeist does not have to meet the requirement, nor does a kayaker, a rower, or operator of other manually propelled craft.

When Must I Get My Boating Safety Certificate? The requirement for boating safety education is phased-in over several years according to the following schedule:

  • All PWC operators, regardless of age, and motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2012
  • All motorboat operators, regardless of age, shall meet the requirements by July 1, 2016

How Do I Comply With this New Law? A person shall be considered in compliance with the requirement for boating safety education if he/she meets one or more of the following provisions:

  • Completes and passes a boating safety education course that is approved by NASBLA and accepted by the Department
  • Passes an equivalency exam
  • Possesses a valid license to operate a vessel issued to maritime personnel by the United States Coast Guard or a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government or possesses a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator's Card
  • Possesses a temporary operator's certificate
  • Possesses a rental or lease agreement from a motorboat rental or leasing business, which lists the person as the authorized operator of the motorboat. The person must also completed the Dockside Safety Checklist
  • Operates the motorboat under direct supervision on board of a person who meets the compliance requirement
  • Operates a boat not registered in Virginia, temporarily using the waters of Virginia for a period not to exceed 90 days, and meets any applicable boating safety education requirements of the state of residency
  • Has assumed operation of the motorboat due to the illness or physical impairment of the initial operator, and is returning the motorboat to shore in order to provide assistance or care for the operator
  • Is registered as a commercial fisherman pursuant to the Code of Virginia or is under the on-board direct supervision of the commercial fisherman while operating the commercial fisherman's boat

How Do I Prove I Completed and Passed a Course? Boaters that must comply with the new education standards must be able to present to the officer a card or certificate that indicates you have passed a NASBLA approved boating course or that you have passed the equivalency exam.

What if I am Only Visiting Virginia? You must demonstrate that you are not a resident of Virginia, that you are temporarily using the water of Virginia for a period of 90 days or less (your boat is registered in another state as the “state of principal use”), and that you meet any applicable boating safety education requirements of your state of residency.

Is there a Minimum Age to Operate? For a personal watercraft, 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.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) supports NASBLA approved boating courses. Information on a classroom course near you can be found by calling DWR at (804) 367-1000 or visit the BoatUS Foundation's Courseline to look up classes in your area.

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

In Virginia, all motorboat operators with a 10 hp motor or greater, regardless of age

AND

All PWC (personal watercraft e.g. a Jet ski, Sea Doo) operators need to take a boating safety course.

Take your Official Virginia Boating Test online now and be certified for life across U.S.A.

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

Study at your own pace

  • Pay only when you pass.
  • Complete and easy-to-read study guide.
  • Only $34.95 (online course, the assessments, online certificate, and wallet-sized card included).

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

Do the assessments

  • Pass the Virginia chapter assessments
  • Free retries - Risk free!

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

  • Print your boater safety certificate and start boating now!
  • Your certificate is good for life.
  • You'll receive a wallet-sized card within 4-6 weeks.

Take advantage of our group discounts for family and friends. Register together and get a discount for the online boating course!

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

All Motorboat operators with a 10 hp or greater motor, regardless of age

AND

All PWC (Personal WaterCraft such as jet skis, Sea Doos) operators need to take a boating safety course.

  • boaters in possession of a valid license to operate a vessel issued to maritime personnel by the U. S. Coast Guard or a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government are already covered. The law also allows for
  • a 90 day temporary operator's certificate for the owner(s) of a newly acquired boat. This nonrenewable temporary operator's certificate would be issued along with the certificate of number (boat registration) and gives the owner(s) of a newly acquired boat 90 days within which to successfully complete a boater safety education course, or successfully complete the equivalency exam
  • operation with a rental or lease agreement from a motorboat rental or leasing business and completion of a dockside safety checklist
  • operation under onboard direct supervision of a person who already meets the education requirement (so you can teach your kids or other family members/friends how to more safely operate a boat)
  • operation by non-residents operating a boat registered in another state if they meet the applicable boating safety education requirements of their state of residency
  • operation by Virginia registered commercial fishermen or a person under their direct supervision while operating the commercial fisherman's boat
  • operation by law enforcement officers while they are engaged in the performance of their official duties
  • operation of the motorboat due to the illness or physical impairment of the initial operator and is returning the boat to shore in order to provide assistance or care for the operator
  • Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as a surface warfare officer or enlisted surface warfare specialist in the United States Navy.
  • Provides documentation that he is serving or has qualified as an Officer of the Deck Underway, boat coxswain, boat officer, boat operator, watercraft operator, or Marine Deck Officer in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, United States Coast Guard, or Merchant Marine.

You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a boater education card.

Yes. All states that require boater education certification will recognize the Virginia Boat Operator's Certificate, due to a NASBLA-approved course reciprocity for non-residents.

For a PWC, the minimum operator age continues to be age 16, except those 14 or 15 year olds who have completed and passed a course can operate. This has been the law since 1999 and has not changed.

For a motorboat, there continues to be no minimum operator age.

No age limit as long as they can pass the test. However, it is fairly difficult for youngsters under the age of about 12 to complete and pass a course. Remember though that youngsters can operate a boat under onboard direct supervision of a person who meets the boating safety education requirement.

To operate a PWC / jet ski in Virginia, everyone must be able to prove they have successfully completed an approved boating safety course

According to Virginia boating laws, every vessel must carry one wearable USCG-approved PFD for each person on board. In ADDITION, at least 1 USCG approved Type IV (ring buoy or seat cushion) is required on all recreational boats 16 feet or greater except for:

  • personal watercraft ;
  • non-motorized canoes and kayaks 16’ in length or greater;
  • racing shells, rowing sculls, racing canoes and racing kayaks;
  • sail boards;
  • vessels of the United States used by foreign competitors while practicing for or racing in competitions.

What is legal for PWC operators? What age can you not wear a lifejacket in Virginia?

If you've received a plastic, wallet-size Boater Education Card / Certificate from Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) you can receive a replacement as long as they can locate you in their database. You must go at https://www.ilostmycard.com/ 

Because:

  • we have hundreds of illustrations that will help you to better understand the content;
  • our online course is available 24/7.
  • you can access our online support by phone, email or chat.
  • we offer multi-platform training.
  • our Policy has always been, ''Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back''!

A Boating License is not the same as the Virginia Boater's Card. To operate a motorboat on the Virginia waters you need to take a NASBLA approved Boating Safety Course and obtain the Lifetime Virginia Boater's Card.

Forever - they do not expire.

Only $34.95 (online course, final test and online certificate included).

Rated 4.7 based on 14885 customers reviews

i enjoyed the information provided. it was easy to use.

Happy now I can go and do some boating

It was a good course

alot of reading for a person who has no intension of going on coastal waters , just mud puddles in...

I have a great experience studying and doing the practice quiz

Was pretty good.

Great experience. Clear questions and not hard to answer if you used study guide.

Great course!! Was easy to follow along, which made understand the content much easier.

excellent . Super course material. very easy to understand and follow.

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?

How long does a Virginia boaters license last?