Boating Education Courses

Cancellation of upcoming Boater Education Courses in Western NC

Due to the ongoing fallout from Hurricane Helene, in-person Boating Education and Hunter Education courses for October have been cancelled in many North Carolina counties. Scroll down for online boater education options. 
 

There are several ways to take a NASBLA approved Boating Education Course. Please select the Instructor Led Courses tab or the Online Courses tab where several organizations that offer the course are listed. Click on each organization to find out dates, times, contacts and locations.

Any person born on or after January 1, 1988 must complete a NASBLA approved boating education course before operating any vessel propelled by a motor of 10 HP or greater.

G.S. 75A-16.2 Boater Safety Education Now Required In North Carolina FAQ's

Boater Education courses and other agency courses and events can be found at the new Go Outdoors North Carolina calendar.

View the Go Outdoors NC Calendar

Instructor Led Courses

There is no minimum age requirement, however, coursework is at a sixth grade level, and a comprehensive written exam must be completed unassisted.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

If you have any questions about boating safety courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, call 800-336-BOAT.

US Power Squadron Public Boating Classes

If you have any questions about boating safety courses offered by the U.S. Power Squadron, call 888-FOR-USPS. 

Online Courses

The websites listed below for online boating safety courses are not administered by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Please be advised, the commission only maintains records for courses offered through our agency. If you choose to complete your boating safety training through a source other than the commission, you will be responsible for obtaining the necessary documentation to prove successful completion of the course through the course provider.

The courses listed below meet all education certification requirements for North Carolina:

Boat Ed

Boater Exam

Boat US Foundation

America's Boating Course

Aceboater

BOATSmart

Boat Tests 101

Safe2Boat

Interactive Boating Course

Get your boating certificate in three easy steps with this Interactive Boating Course by https://www.ilearntoboat.com/northcarolina/.