State Course Information

Course Link: https://www.boat-ed.com/virginia/

Rules & regulations: https://www.boat-ed.com/virginia/boating_law/

Course Cost: The Virginia Boat Ed Course fee is $39.95.

Who requires the course: All PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators of 10 hp or greater regardless of age need to take a boating safety course.

Age Restriction: There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.

Residency Requirement: You do not have to be a resident of Virginia to take this online course.

Format: Online Only & Timed (3-hour min.)

Course Time: On average it will take 4-6 hours to complete.

Course Time Limit: You have 90 days to complete the course.

Chapters: 6 Chapters in total.

Quizzes and/or Exams:

• Quizzes: Each quiz is 10 questions. If you fail a unit quiz, you must restudy the unit and take the quiz again until you pass. You must score at least 90% on the unit quizzes to pass.
• Exam: You do not have to take an exam. You have successfully completed the online course once you have passed all the unit quizzes.

Post Course:

• Once you pass and pay for the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Temporary Boater Education Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Temporary Boater Education Certificate right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you. This certificate EXPIRES 90 days after course completion.
• The Boater Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boater Education Certificate will arrive within 3-4 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

Replacement Cards:

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Boater Education Certificate, go to https://ilostmycard.com/. 

State Contact Information
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Phone: 804-367-1000
Safe Boating Page: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/education/
State Main: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/

Virginia FAQ:

Do I have to complete the course all at once?

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or completed a little at a time over several days. All pay-up-front courses are available for 90 days from the time of registration and payment.

Is the Virginia Boat Ed Course approved by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources?

The Virginia Boat Ed Course is approved and accepted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Is my Virginia Boating Course Certificate of Completion accepted elsewhere?

For visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada’s requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)