WHO NEEDS A TEXAS BOATING EDUCATION CARD
Boat operators who were born after September 1st 1993 (who are at least 13 years of age) are required to obtain a Texas Boater Education Card to legally operate a motorized boat of 15 hp or more, a wind-powered sailboat greater than 14 feet in length, or a Personal Watercraft (PWC).
OTHER PROVIDER 1
$34.95
90 Day Course Access
- State Approved
- Get Licensed In 3 Hours (Average)
- Phone Support
- Unlimited Test Retries
$39.95
Lifetime Course Access
- State Approved
- Get Licensed In 3 Hours (Average)
- Live In-Course Chat Support
- Phone Support
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- Animated, Narrated & Perfect For All Ages
- Unlimited Test Retries
OTHER PROVIDER 2
$29.95
90 Day Course Access
- State Approved
- Get Licensed In 3 Hours (Average)
- Phone Support
- Unlimited Test Retries
OTHER PROVIDER 3
$29.95
90 Day Course Access
- State Approved
- Limited Phone Support
- Limited Satisfaction Guarantee
Excellent!
BOATsmart! has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 8167 ratings and reviews.
Your login and password situation was confusing. I ended up contacting your support team, where the issue was resolved. As there was a test at the end of each module it would have been more beneficial if the correct answers were provided on missed questions. Materials were presented well. Thank you
Stephen B
Posted
6 days ago
The course was very informative and helpful to know laws and regulations
Beau B
Posted
1 week ago
The video stopped working a few times, about 10 times throughout the course. It would be helpful If you could see the questions that were incorrect from the quizzes and final exam. There were only a few grammar issues. Finally, it would be nice if the Boat License/Card had a picture ID.
Chad L
Posted
1 week ago
Overall enjoyable and well organized course. I like the voice overs, and the size of the modules. Only issue I encountered was that all the videos except one said "This video is private and you do not have access to view it." The one video that did play was informative, so I feel like the others would have added to the course as well.
Erin M
Posted
2 weeks ago
Easy and very informative.
Omer B
Posted
3 weeks ago
Several questions on the California final exam, I would guess 10 or 15 % percent, were not covered in the subject matter. When a problem arrises, such as when one needs an application id or flunks the final exam, rather the just saying the process can not be completed or just exiting out, the reason for the problem should be stated.
John C
Posted
1 month ago
i read a book and the A,B,Cs of calif boating. it was giving to me at my lake core of enginers its called state of california resources agency department of boating and waterways it helped a lot .it covers a lot for the test .i took the test thanksgive morning i am 77 years old and have injoyed boating all my life. i have a small base boatand use it alot at lake mendocino.you realy need to put your nose in a book to pass this test the first time like i did. but not a problem you can take this boating exam over and over untill you pass with now extra charge. happy boating Ray
Raymond S
Posted
2 months ago
It would have been nice to be able to whatch the videos. The course kept saying that it was a private video and that we did not have permissions to view it. This is evan after signing into veimo. Otherwise I would have given a 10.
James D
Posted
2 months ago
Excellent content and very thorough. The main issue is wait time between each page. People who read quickly are left waiting 30sec-1m to hit the next button, this distrupts attention and makes the course take much longer.
Eliza M
Posted
2 months ago
Pretty good but some of the sections during the course made you wait too long to get to the next slide, and some of the other sections went too fast-- sometiems inconsistent. Also total course was 4 hours but I thought California only required 3 hours.
Roger S
Posted
3 months ago
Buy More, Save More
Purchase more than one boating course, test and card and save up to 35%. Perfect for family, friends and workmates, we include everything your crew needs to get their Official Texas Boating Education Card.
1 Boater
“There’s nothing better than leaving the work week in our wake.”
– Jesse L, Dallas, TX
Watch, Listen & Learn
From anywhere, on any device at any time.
Our animated and narrated Boating Safety Course is perfect for all ages. Study from your Smartphone, Tablet or Desktop and switch between devices at any time. BOATsmart! automatically tracks your progress so you can study at your own pace.
Pass the official test
Take the Texas Boater Education Card Test online
Take the official Texas Boating Safety test online. Consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions, the final test is open book. BOATsmart! includes free unlimited retries so you’re guaranteed to pass.
Get Your Official Boater Education Card
Print your Temporary Card immediately
Print your Temporary Card immediately after passing the final test. Your permanent card will be available for download from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department within 2 weeks of completing your course.
Boating In Texas
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FREE BOATING LICENSE PRACTICE TEST
Not sure what to expect? Try the Boating License Practice Test for free and test your knowledge.
Try the Texas boating safety practice test now.
TEXAS BOATER EDUCATION CARD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Texas Boater Education Card?
The Texas Boater Education Card is proof that a boater has successfully passed the Texas Boating Safety Test. All boat operators who were born after September 1st, 1993, who are at least 13 years of age, are required to obtain the card to legally operate certain types of vessels.
Is the Texas Boater Education Card the same as a Boating License?
The Texas Boater Education Card is commonly referred to as a “Boating License” however, unlike a license, your Boater Education Card is good for life, and doesn’t require renewal. The Texas Boater Education Card provides proof that you have successfully completed a Texas Boater Education course.
Who needs a Texas Boater Education Card?
All boaters born after September 1, 1993 are required to obtain a Texas Boater Education Card in order to legally operate any of the following:
- A motorized boat of 15 hp or more
- A wind-powered sailboat greater than 14 feet in length
- A Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Who is exempt from having to obtain a Texas Boater Education Card?
- Persons born prior to September 1, 1993
- Persons born on or after September 1, 1993 who are directly accompanied by an adult on board who is at least 18 years of age
- Operators from out of state who have passed an approved course from another state
What is the fine for not having the Card?
Boaters who are caught operating without a Texas Boater Education Card may be fined up to $500.
How do I get a Texas Boater Education Card?
You can obtain your official Texas Boater Education Card from BOATsmart! in three steps:
- Take the BOATsmart! Texas Boating Safety Course online.
- Pass the Texas Boating Safety Test online.
- Print a Temporary Certificate immediately.
How do I prepare for the Texas Boating Safety Test?
Boaters can prepare for the official Texas Boating Safety Test with the BOATsmart! Course which includes animated, narrated and illustrated lessons designed for all ages. The 3-hour Texas Boating Safety Course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and Texas Parks and Wildlife. The BOATsmart! Texas Boating Safety Course includes all the knowledge you need in order to obtain your Texas Boater Education Card.
Will my Texas Boater Education Card ever expire?
No. Your Texas Boater Education Card does not expire. However, keep in mind that you can always access your BOATsmart! Course to access free refresher lessons, and brush-up on state regulations and boating safety content.
How do I replace my Texas Boater Card?
Texas Boater Education Card are issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Visit https://tpwd.elementlms.com and click on “Am I Certified” to replace your Texas Boater Education Card.
Do I need a Driver’s License to operate a boat in Texas?
No. The state of Texas does not require boaters to have a driver’s license in order to operate a boat. However, all boat operators born after September 1, 1993 are required to obtain a Boater Education Card to legally operate:
- A motorized boat of 15 hp or more
- A wind-powered sailboat greater than 14 feet in length
- A Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Do I need a Texas Boater Education Card for all types of boats?
Operators who required certification in Texas must obtain a Boater Education Card to legally operate the following:
- A motorized boat of 15 hp or more
- A wind-powered sailboat greater than 14 feet in length
- A Personal Watercraft (PWC)
How long does the Texas Boater Course take?
The state of Texas requires that you spend a minimum of 3 hours studying the online course. The purchase of your BOATsmart! Texas Boating Safety Course includes unlimited lifetime access.
Is my Texas Boater Card valid in other states?
Yes. The Texas Boater Education Card is accepted in 40 states, which extend reciprocity. This means the BOATsmart! Course meets the National Standards established by NASBLA. This law applies to operators of motorized boats, but not in all states to operators of personal watercraft (PWCs). Always check the boating laws in the state you plan to visit prior to operating a boat or PWC there.
Who is BOATsmart!?
BOATsmart!® is North America’s Boating Educator, approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard. We’ve been delivering award-winning online boating courses since 2003 and have certified more than 650,000 boaters. BOATsmart! is accredited and approved by Texas Parks and Wildlife, to deliver the official Texas Boater Education Course and Boating Safety Test.
Texas Parks and Wildlife
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX, 78744
https://tpwd.texas.gov/
Trusted from coast-to-coast, Texas approved
The official BOATsmart! Texas Boating Safety Course is approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard.
BOATsmart! has provided online boating safety education across North America since 2013. Our courses are designed and developed by real boaters, subject matter experts and instructional design educators. We’ve certified more than 650,000 boaters online and are proud to be the choice of boaters from coast-to-coast.
