State Course Information

Course Cost: The North Carolina Boat Ed Course fee is $39.95.

Who requires the course: North Carolina law requires any person born on or after January 1, 1988, who will be operating a vessel over 10 hp to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card.

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

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

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

Course Time Limit: 90 Days

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 70% on the unit quizzes to pass.

• Exam: The Certification Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. The exam is 60 questions, you must score at least 80% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.

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 60 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 2-3 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

Replacement Cards:

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

North Carolina 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 North Carolina Boat Ed Course approved by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission?

The North Carolina Boat Ed Course is approved and accepted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

Is my North Carolina Boater Education Certificate 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.”)

Will my progress get saved if I logout?

Yes, your progress will be saved, when you logout of your course