Boater Education Card

Many recreational boaters in Washington are required by law to complete a boating safety course and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card.

Whether you cruise, sail, kayak, fish, or do yoga on a stand-up paddleboard, you are responsible to know the laws and basics of boating safety. You are encouraged to take a boating safety course, whether required by law or not.

The Washington State Boater Education Card is valid for your lifetime and meets requirements for recreational boating in Canada and many other states.  

Boater Education Card requirements

You are required by law to carry a Boater Education Card if you:

• Operate a vessel with a 15-horsepower (or greater) motor.
• Were born after Jan. 1, 1955.
• Are 12 years of age or older.

You do not need to carry a Boater Education Card if you:

• Were born before Jan. 1, 1955.
• Are an operator of a commercial fishing boat and able to show a valid commercial license.
• Are able to show a valid U.S. Coast Guard Marine Operator License.
• 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.
• Operate a government vessel exempt from state registration.
• Are practicing for 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 from carrying the Boater Education Card if you:

• Hold a valid boater education card from another state. You will need to contact us to confirm if it's valid.
• 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.

Visiting from another state

You do not need a Boater Education Card if 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.

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 (PDF) 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 get a Boater Education Card

Follow these steps to get your Boater Education Card

• Study and pass a state-approved boating safety course or equivalency exam using one of the available options
• 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.
• Submit a Boater Education Card Application (PDF) 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 of receipt of your submission. Email our staff  or call (360) 902-8555 if you have not received your card within 30 days.

You have up to 60 days from the date of mailing in your application materials to notify us if the information on your card has an error or you have not received your card.

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

Replacement card

You may apply for a replacement card if you were previously issued an official Washington State Boater Education Card, and 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 (PDF)
• 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 34333Seattle, WA 98124-1333

Please allow four weeks to process an affidavit and receive your replacement card.

No temporary card is available while you wait to receive your replacement. No online or electronic process is available for replacement cards.