State Course Information

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

Who requires the course: Massachusetts law requires all motorboat operators who are 12 through 15 years of age to complete an approved boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Also, all PWC operators who are 16 or 17 years of age or older must complete an approved boating course.

Age Restriction: You must be at least 12 years old to take this online course.

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

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

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 80% on the unit quizzes to pass.

Post Course:

• Once you pass and pay for the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Boater Education Temporary Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Boater Education Temporary Certificate right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you. This certificate EXPIRES 365 days after course completion.
• The Boater Safety Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boater Safety Certificate will arrive within 8-10 business days after you complete all certification requirements.

Replacement Cards:

To replace a lost or destroyed Boater Safety Certificate, you can order a duplicate by emailing boatsafetycourse@mass.gov.

State Contact Information
MA Boat and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau
boatsafetycourse@mass.gov
(508) 564-4961
(617) 356-3171

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Boat Ed Course approved by the Massachusetts Environmental Police?

The Massachusetts Boat Ed Course is approved and accepted by the Massachusetts Environmental Police.

Is my Massachusetts Boater Safety 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