North Carolina Boat Course Information
This article provides course information for North Carolina boaters, including who needs to take the course, course cost, registration requirements, expiration, and what happens after completion.
Who needs to take this course?
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, must have a North Carolina Boater Education Card to operate a motorized watercraft of 10 horsepower or more.
Available courses
North Carolina courses are available through the following options:
- Boaterexam
- Boat-Ed
- Ilearntoboat
- BoatSmart!
Course information
| Course Information | Boaterexam | Boat-Ed | Ilearntoboat | BoatSmart! |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $49.95 | $54.95 | $74.95 | $49.95 |
| Language(s) | English | English | English | English |
| Chapters/Units | 9 Chapters | 6 Units + Practice Exam | Interactive | 6 Modules |
| Format/Time | Online Only & Timed, 3-hour minimum | Online Only & Timed, 3-hour minimum | Interactive, 3 hours | Online & Timed |
| Expiration | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days | No expiration |
| Auto Renew | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Extension(s) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 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, unlimited attempts. Final exam: 60 questions, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. | 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, 2 hours, 80% to pass, unlimited attempts. |
| Age Restrictions | No | No | No | No |
| Residency Requirement | No | No | No | No |
| Registration Requirement(s) | Gender, eye color, hair color, and ethnicity | Gender | Gender | Gender |
| Post Course | Print temporary certificate immediately. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. | Print temporary certificate immediately. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. | Print temporary certificate immediately. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. | Print temporary certificate immediately. Physical card arrives in 3-5 weeks. |
| Replacement Card | ilostmycard.com | ilostmycard.com | ilostmycard.com | ilostmycard.com |
Registration requirements
Registration requirements may vary by course option.
Students taking the North Carolina course may be required to provide:
- Gender
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Ethnicity
A WRC ID is optional.
Course expiration and extensions
Boaterexam and Boat-Ed expire after 90 days.
Ilearntoboat expires after 90 days.
BoatSmart! does not expire.
Extensions are available for the following course options:
- Boaterexam
- Boat-Ed
Ilearntoboat and BoatSmart! do 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. 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.
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 2-hour time limit. Students must score 80% or higher to pass. Students have unlimited attempts.
After completing the course
After completing a North Carolina course, students can immediately print their temporary certificate.
The physical card typically arrives in 3-5 weeks.
Age and operator requirements
A person younger than 14 years old may not legally operate a personal watercraft.
A person 14 or 15 years old may operate a personal watercraft only if they meet one of the following requirements:
- They are accompanied on board by a person who is at least 18 years old and meets the requirements for operating a vessel
- They have personal identification showing proof of age and a boating certification card showing proof of passing a boating safety course approved by NASBLA and accepted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- They have personal identification showing proof of age and proof of other boating safety education that meets state requirements
Anyone 16 years old or older and born on or after January 1, 1988, may operate a personal watercraft with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater only if they meet the requirements for operating a vessel.
Replacement cards
Replacement cards are handled through ilostmycard.com.
Students who need a replacement card should visit: