Mandatory Boater Education in Washington

Who Needs It

You are required to have a Boater Education Card if you fit the following criteria.

You operate a vessel with a 15-horsepower (or greater) motor.
You were born after Jan. 1, 1955.
You are 12 years of age or older.

You are exempt if you fit the following criteria.

You were born before Jan. 1, 1955.
You are able to show a valid commercial license.
You are able to show a valid Coast Guard Marine Operator License.
You are renting a boat, have completed a watercraft safety checklist provided by the vendor and been issued a temporary card which you must carry with you.
You operate a government vessel exempt from state registration.
You are practicing or engaging in a permitted racing event, as long as permitting documentation is available upon inspection at the event site.

You have a 60-day exemption period if you fit the following criteria.

You are visiting from another state or country and boating for less than 60 days. After 60 days you must have a Washington state Boater Education Card.
You hold a valid boater education card from another state. You will need to contact us to confirm if it's valid.
You have recently purchased your boat and can show the bill of sale with the date of purchase. After 60 days you must have a Washington state Boater Education Card.

How to Get It

1. Study and pass a state-approved boating safety course or equivalency exam from
one of the following options:

2. Receive a Certification of Completion.

Once you pass your course or equivalency exam, you will be provided with a Certificate of Completion. If provided with an electronic copy, be sure to print it. This is your proof of passing the course.
Your certificate serves as a temporary card for 60 days, beginning the date of course completion. After 60 days, you must carry a permanent Washington State Boater Education Card when operating a powered watercraft of 15-horsepower or more.

3. Submit a Boater Education Card Application and a copy of your certificate along with
a check or money order for $10 to:

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Boating Program
P.O. Box 34333
Seattle, WA 98124-1333

Your card will be mailed within two to four weeks. You are encouraged to contact us if you haven't received your card within 30 days atboating@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8555.

You have up to 60 days from the date of mailing in your application materials to notify us of the following:

The information on your card has an error.
You haven't received your card.

After 60 days, you may be required to resubmit your application materials.

Do I need a Washington Boater Education Card if I already have one from another state?

If you have a boater education card from another state, contact our office to verify it’s valid in Washington.
If it's valid, then submit a Boater Education Card Application with a copy of your card and a $10 check or money order and you will be issued a Washington State Boater Education Card.

How to Replace It

You may apply for a replacement Boater Education Card if your legal name has been changed, you need to correct personal information, or your card was lost, stolen, or destroyed. The fee for a replacement card is $5.

To receive a replacement card:

Complete a Boater Card Replacement Affidavit
Submit your completed affidavit, along with a check or money order for $5, made payable to Washington State Parks via postal mail to:

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Boating Programs
P.O. Box 34333
Seattle, WA 98124-1333

Please allow four weeks to process an affidavit and receive your replacement card. There is no temporary card available while you wait to receive your replacement.

Mandatory Boater Education in Washington

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