Florida Boat Course Information
This article provides course information for Florida boaters, including who needs to take the course, course cost, registration requirements, expiration, and what happens after completion.
Who needs to take this course?
All boaters born on or after January 1, 1988, who operate any motorized watercraft of 10 horsepower or more need boater education in Florida.
Available courses
Florida courses are available through the following options:
Boaterexam
Boat-Ed
Ilearntoboat
BoatSmart!
Boat-Ed+
Course information
| Course Information | Boaterexam | Boat-Ed | Ilearntoboat | BoatSmart! | Boat-Ed+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $49.95 | $54.95 | $74.95 | $49.95 | $79.95 |
| Language(s) | EN | EN; ES | EN | EN | EN; ES |
| Chapters/Units | 9 Chapters | 6 Units | Interactive | 6 Modules | 4 Cruises / 24 Lessons |
| Format/Time | Online Only & Timed, 3-hour minimum | Online Only & Timed, 3-hour minimum | Online Only & Timed, 3-hour minimum | Online Only & Timed, 3-hour minimum | Interactive |
| Expiration | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days | No expiration | 90 days |
| Extension(s) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Auto Renew | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Quizzes/Final Exam | Quizzes: 10 questions, 70% to pass or redo chapter. Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. | Quizzes: 10 questions, 70% to pass or redo chapter. Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. | No quizzes. Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. | Quizzes: 10 questions, 24 minutes, 70% to pass. Redo module if failed. Final exam: 50 questions, 75 minutes, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. | No quizzes. Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. |
| Age Restrictions | No | No | No | No | No |
| Residency Requirement | No | No | No | No | No |
| Registration Requirement(s) | Gender, eye color, and hair color | Gender | Gender | Gender | N/A |
| Post Course | Print temporary certificate. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. | Print temporary certificate. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. | Print temporary certificate. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. | Print temporary certificate. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. | Print temporary certificate. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. |
| Replacement Card | Handled by the state | Handled by the state | Handled by the state | Handled by the state | Handled by the state |
Registration requirements
Students taking the Florida course may be required to provide additional information during registration. This may include:
Gender
Eye color
Hair color
Registration requirements may vary by course option.
Course expiration and extensions
Most Florida courses expire after 90 days.
Extensions are available for the following course options:
Boaterexam
Boat-Ed
Ilearntoboat
Boat-Ed+
BoatSmart! does not expire and does not offer extensions.
Quizzes and final exam
Exam requirements may vary by course option.
Boaterexam: Quizzes include 10 questions. Students must score 70% or higher to pass or they must redo the chapter. The final exam includes 60 questions, and students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
Boat-Ed: Quizzes include 10 questions. Students must score 70% or higher to pass or they must redo the chapter. The final exam includes 60 questions, and students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
Ilearntoboat: There are no quizzes. The final exam includes 60 questions, and students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
BoatSmart!: Quizzes include 10 questions and have a 24-minute time limit. Students must score 70% or higher to pass. If a quiz is failed, the student must redo the module. The final exam includes 50 questions and has a 75-minute time limit. Students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
Boat-Ed+: There are no quizzes. The final exam includes 60 questions, and students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
After completing the course
After completing a Florida course, students can print their temporary certificate.
The physical card typically arrives in 3-5 weeks.
Age and operator requirements
A person may be exempt from this law if there is a person on board who is not affected by this law or is at least 18 years old, holds a boater education identification card, and is attending to the safe operation of the vessel.
Minors may become certified because there is no minimum certification age.
No one under 14 years old may operate a personal watercraft.
Boaters in Florida can operate a vessel on Florida waters without restrictions if they are older than 21 years of age.
Personal watercraft age requirements
All personal watercraft operators must be at least 14 years old.
It is unlawful for a person to knowingly allow someone under 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft.
Replacement cards
Replacement cards are handled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.