The Washington State Boater Education Card is proof that you have completed a Washington State boater safety course, as mandated in the Washington boating safety education bill that was passed in 2005.
All boaters operating a vessel with a motor greater than 15 horsepower are required to carry a Washington State Boater Education Card.
To get your Washington Boater Education Card, you must take a course that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Most boaters take an approved online course, such as the Washington State BOATERexam.com® course.
There is a state processing fee of $10 to get the Washington Boater’s Card, plus the cost of your education course. You can take the Washington State BOATERexam.com® course for $34.95.
Anyone over the age of 12 may take a Washington boater safety course and then apply for a Washington State Boater Education Card.
Anyone born before January 1, 1955 is not required to carry a card. However, it is strongly recommended that all boaters, regardless of age complete a boating safety course and carry a card.
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Once obtained, the Washington State Boater’s Card is valid for life.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission issues the Washington State Boater Education Card.
You must carry your card with you whenever you are operating a boat with a motor greater than 15 horsepower. This also includes all personal watercraft with a motor greater than 15 horsepower (e.g. Jet Skis).
You are only allowed to have one copy of the Washington State Boater Education Card.
If you lose your Washington State Boater Education Card, you can fill out a card replacement affidavit and mail it along with $5 to the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission. Please visit the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission website for the card replacement affidavit form and current mailing address.
If you need more information about replacing your Boater Education Card, you can contact the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission by phone at 360-902- 8555 or by email at boating@parks.wa.gov. Please include your full name and date of birth in your email.