Official State Approved North Carolina Boating License
Do you need a North Carolina Boating Safety Education ID Card? Any person born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to obtain a North Carolina Boater Education Certificate.
WHO NEEDS A NORTH CAROLINA BOATER EDUCATION CARD
Any person born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to obtain a North Carolina Boater Education certificate, to legally operate a boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or more within the state. Certificates must be carried on board while the boat is being operated.
OTHER PROVIDER 1
$34.95
90 Day Course Access
- State Approved
- Get Licensed In 3 Hours (Average)
- Phone Support
- Unlimited Test Retries
$34.95
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 8062 ratings and reviews.
Some of the module quiz questions were worded in a confusing manner
Michael B
Posted
15 hours ago
The course was thorough and the videos were well made. My only frustration is that it won’t let you go ahead u til timer ends and I am a quick reader so I spent a lot of time sitting waiting.
Jessica S
Posted
1 week ago
I am 14 years old and wanted to get my boat license to drive my fishing boat on a small in-land lake in Northern Ontario. For this purpose, I found the questions very off- base and geared toward oceans. As I am only allowed to drive an aluminum boat with a 9.9L engine. Maybe the tests should be geared toward what type of boat you will be driving rather than a one size fits all structure. Thanks!
Jack F
Posted
3 weeks ago
The course was very good and the videos are very entertaining. Would suggest adding a tab on the dashboard where you can download PDFs of the pre-trip plans, maintenance checklists etc.. instead of having to go back through the course material to find.
Brandon B
Posted
1 month ago
Course was very informative and forced the student to slow down and read many of the slides as opposed to quick flipping through graphics videos the whole time. Some of the test material wasn't in order with the learning slides, and there should be a post chapter test review of the questions to know which one you got right or wrong.
Aaron S
Posted
9 months ago
It was easy to follow along - the visual movies helped to convey all the info and the pictures helped me to remember the important information. Module 2 was super long - anyway it could maybe get split up? All in all, no complaints, it was informative, easy to follow, and its rewarding to have successfully received my operator card :)
Natalie H
Posted
9 months ago
It was good
Sarah M
Posted
9 months ago
Course was great. would be good to know what questions you got wrong on the quiz to help you learn.
Michael H
Posted
9 months ago
Excellent course! Love that it can be done at any pace
David W
Posted
9 months ago
It took way longer then I thought but the end test was much easier then I expected
Sarah K
Posted
10 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 North Carolina Boating Safety Education ID Card.
1 Boater
“There’s nothing better than leaving the work week in our wake.”
– Jesse L, Raleigh, NC
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 North Carolina Boater Education Card Test online
Take the official North Carolina 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. BOATsmart! will mail your permanent card within 4 weeks.
Boating In North Carolina
LOST OR DAMAGED BOATER CARD?
Official North Carolina Boating Safety Education ID Card Replacements
Lost? Damaged? Need some back-ups? Don’t sweat it! If you need to replace your North Carolina Boating Safety Education ID Card or want back-up copies for the tackle box, cabin or boat we’ve got you covered.
YOU’RE IN THE
CAPTAIN’S SEAT
FREE BOATING LICENSE PRACTICE TEST
Not sure what to expect? Try the Boating License Practice Test for free and test your knowledge.
Try the North Carolina boating safety practice test now.
NORTH CAROLINA BOATER EDUCATION CARD
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a North Carolina Boater Education Card
The North Carolina boater education card is proof that a boater has successfully passed the North Carolina Boating Safety Test. All boat operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 are required to get certified to legally operate a boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or more.
Is the North Carolina Boater Education Card the same as a Boating License?
The North Carolina Boater Education Card is proof of the successful completion of the North Carolina state-approved boater education course. The card is commonly referred to as a “boating license” However, unlike a license, the Boater Education Card does not expire, and does not need to be renewed.
Who needs a North Carolina Boater Education Card?
Boat operators born on or after January 1, 1988 required a North Carolina Boater Education card, if they wish to operate a boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or more on North Carolina’s public waterways.
Who is exempt from having to obtain a North Carolina Boater Education Card?
- Boat operators who were born prior to January 1, 1988
- Non-residents who have successfully completed a boater education course in their state of residence
What is the fine for not having the Card?
Boaters caught without a Boater Card may receive a fine of up to $50. Keep in mind that certified boaters must carry the card on board their boat at all times during operation.
How do I get a North Carolina Boater Education Card?
You can obtain your official Boater Education Card from BOATsmart! in three steps:
- Take the BOATsmart! North Carolina Boating Safety Course online.
- Pass the North Carolina Boating Safety Test online.
- Print a Certification of Completion immediately.
How do I prepare for the North Carolina Boater Safety Test?
Boaters can prepare for the official North Carolina Boating Safety Test with the BOATsmart! Course which includes animated, narrated and illustrated lessons designed for all ages. The 3-hour North Carolina Boating Safety Course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and is recognized by the US Coast Guard. The BOATsmart! North Carolina Boating Safety Course includes all the knowledge you need in order to obtain your North Carolina Boater Education Card.
Will my North Carolina Boater Education Card ever expire?
No. Your North Carolina Boater Education Card is good for life. However, it’s important to keep up-to-date with the most recent boating safety regulations. Be sure to take advantage of BOATsmart!’s free refresher lessons to be sure you’re aware of the rules that apply in your state.
How do I replace my North Carolina Boater Education Card?
You can easily purchase a replacement North Carolina Boater Education Cards from BOATsmart!. Call us at 1-877-655-7778 to order, or login to your BOATsmart! Account to order online.
Do I need a Driver’s License to operate a boat in North Carolina?
No. The state of North Carolina does not require boaters to have a driver’s license in order to operate a boat. However, if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 you are required to obtain a Boater Education Card if you wish to operate a boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or more, on North Carolina’s publish waterways.
Do I need a Boater Card for all types of boats?
Depending on your age, the North Carolina Boater Education Card is required to operate boats that are powered by a motor of 10 hp or more.
How long does the North Carolina Boater Education Card take?
The state of North Carolina requires that you spend a minimum of 3 hours studying the online course. The purchase of your BOATsmart! North Carolina Boating Safety Course includes unlimited lifetime access.
Is my North Carolina Boater Education Card valid in other states?
Yes. The North Carolina 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 the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to deliver the official North Carolina Boater Education Card Course and Boating Safety Test.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1701 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC, 27699
https://www.ncwildlife.org/
Trusted from coast-to-coast, North Carolina approved
The official BOATsmart! North Carolina Boating Safety Course is approved by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, 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.
