Michigan Boat Course Information
This article provides course information for Michigan boaters, including who needs to take the course, course cost, registration requirements, expiration, and what happens after completion.
Who needs to take this course?
Any motorized boat operator born after June 30, 1996, is required by law to pass a boater safety course and carry a boater education card.
Boater education is also required for all personal watercraft operators born after December 31, 1978.
Available courses
Michigan courses are available through the following options:
Boat-Ed
Ilearntoboat
Boat-Ed+
There is no Boaterexam or BoatSmart! course for Michigan.
Course information
| Course Information | Boat-Ed | Ilearntoboat | Boat-Ed+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $29.50 | $49.95 | $79.95 |
| Language(s) | English | English | English |
| Chapters/Units | 6 Units + Practice Exam | Interactive | 4 Cruises / 24 Lessons |
| Format/Time | Online Only & Timed, 3-hour minimum | Interactive | Interactive |
| Expiration | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Auto Renew | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extension(s) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Quizzes/Final Exam | Quizzes: 15 questions, 70% to pass, unlimited attempts. Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. | Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. | Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. |
| Age Restrictions | No, see age and operator requirements below | No, see age and operator requirements below | No, see age and operator requirements below |
| Residency Requirement | No | No | No |
| Registration Requirement(s) | Ethnicity | Ethnicity | Ethnicity |
| Post Course | Print permanent Boating Safety Certificate immediately. Students can also order a permanent certification from the state website. | Print permanent Boating Safety Certificate immediately. Students can also order a permanent certification from the state website. | Print permanent Boating Safety Certificate immediately. Students can also order a permanent certification from the state website. |
| Replacement Card | Handled by the state | Handled by the state | Handled by the state |
Registration requirements
Students taking the Michigan course may be required to provide their ethnicity during registration.
Course expiration and extensions
Michigan courses expire after 90 days.
Extensions are available for the following course options:
Boat-Ed
Ilearntoboat
Boat-Ed+
Quizzes and final exam
Exam requirements may vary by course option.
Boat-Ed: Quizzes include 15 questions. Students must score 70% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts. The final exam includes 60 questions, and students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
Ilearntoboat: The final exam includes 60 questions. Students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
Boat-Ed+: The final exam includes 60 questions. Students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
After completing the course
After completing a Michigan course, students can immediately print their permanent Boating Safety Certificate.
Students can also order a permanent certification through the state website.
Age and operator requirements
Persons less than 12 years old may operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower without restrictions.
Persons less than 12 years old may operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 horsepower but no more than 35 horsepower only if they:
Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat
Are directly supervised on board by a person at least 16 years old
Persons less than 12 years old may not operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 horsepower under any conditions.
Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat.
Those born before July 1, 1996, may operate a boat without restrictions.
Personal watercraft age requirements
Those less than 14 years old may not legally operate a personal watercraft.
Those 14 or 15 years old may operate a personal watercraft only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and meet one of the following requirements:
They are accompanied on board by their parent or legal guardian
They are accompanied on board by a person at least 21 years old who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian
They are operating or riding the personal watercraft within 100 feet of their parent or legal guardian
They are operating or riding the personal watercraft within 100 feet of a person at least 21 years old who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian
Those at least 16 years old and born after December 31, 1978, may operate a personal watercraft only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.
Those born on or before December 31, 1978, may operate a personal watercraft without restrictions.
Replacement cards
Replacement cards are handled by the state of Michigan.
To obtain a replacement for a lost or destroyed Michigan Boating Safety Certificate, students can log in and print one from the state website: