California Boater Card,
We Make it Simple
Your Official California Boater Card in 3 easy steps.
Start the boating course now and be on the water today.
Step 1
TAKE THE BOATING COURSE ONLINE
Take the official BOATsmart! Course online and watch, listen and learn on any device. Our animated, narrated and brilliantly illustrated boating course puts you right in the Captain’s seat. Everything you need to pass the California Boating Safety Test and boat with confidence included.
Boaters in California must pay a fee and obtain a California Boater Card Application ID. Boaters must enter their Application ID when registering for the BOATsmart! California Course.
- Made for boaters, by boaters
- Designed for all ages and abilities
- Study at your own pace, your progress is tracked automatically
- Optimized for all devices, including mobile
Step 2
PASS THE OFFICIAL TEST
The California Boating Safety Test is open-book and available to boaters of all ages, including boaters under 16 years of age.
- State-approved California Boating Safety Test
- No minimum age
- Unlimited free test retries included
Step 3
PRINT YOUR TEMP CARD
Yeah buoy! You’re a captain now! You’ve now gained the knowledge to boat with confidence. Immediately upon passing the test, you’ll be able to print a temporary California Boater Card. Your permanent card is mailed at no charge.
- Print your temporary California Boater Card immediately
- Receive your official permanent card within 4-6 weeks
- Your California Boater Card is good for life
California Approved Online Boating Safety Course
The BOATsmart! Course is 100% State Approved and includes all the knowledge required to obtain your California Boater Card. Take the boating course online at your own pace with easy-to-understand, step-by-step lessons.
Excellent!
Step Inside the
Boatsmart! Course
The BOATsmart! Course includes all required NASBLA syllabus standards in an easy-to-navigate and understandable format, organized into 6 learning modules and practice quizzes that help you test your comprehension prior to the final test.
BOATING BASICS
- The Boating Basics
- Parts of a Boat and PWC
- Boating Terminology
- California Age and Horsepower Restrictions
- California Mandatory Education Requirements
- California Registration and Titling Requirements
- Boat Capacities
- Reciprocity Regulations and Federal Documentation
- Boat Theft Prevention
- Module 1 Summary and Quiz
BOATING EQUIPMENT
- Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
- Life Jacket Classifications
- Flotation Aids and Throwable Devices
- California Life Jacket Laws
- Life Jacket Laws for Children
- Fire Extinguishers and Federal Requirements
- Navigation Lights and Requirements on Boats
- Sound Signal Devices and Requirements
- Visual Distress Signals and Requirements
- Module 2 Summary and Quiz
GETTING ON THE WATER
- Local Weather and Water Conditions
- Weather Reports and Stormy Weather
- Boat Maintenance
- Developing a Float Plan
- Boat Storage
- Towing and Trailering
- Launching and Loading
- Fueling a Boat or PWC
- Docking and Casting
- Anchoring your Boat
- Module 3 Summary and Quiz
SAFE BOAT OPERATION
- Environmental Laws and Regulations
- Toxic Substances
- California Waste Disposal Laws
- California Aquatic Nuisance Species
- Alcohol and Drug Use
- California Laws for Operating Under the Influence
- Boater Common Courtesy
- California Laws for Negligent/Reckless Boat Operation
- No Wake and Limited Wake Restrictions
- Homeland Security Measures
- California Muffler and Noise Level Laws
- California Law Enforcement Authority
- Module 4 Summary and Quiz
NAVIGATION THE WATERWAYS
- Navigation Rules
- California Boat Speed Limits and Restricted Areas
- Position and Course of Direction
- Right-of-Way
- Navigation Sound Signals
- Navigating at Night
- Navigation Lights
- Lateral Marking System and Buoys
- Red Right Returning
- Non-Lateral Marking System
- Intracoastal Waterways
- The Western Rivers System
- Module 5 Summary and Quiz
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
- Diving, Snorkeling, Towed Sports
- Use of Hand Signals
- Boating Hazards and Dangers
- Safe PWC Operation
- Safety Tips for Paddlers
- Capsizing and Person Overboard
- Running Aground
- Fire Emergencies
- Hypothermia and Cold Water Immersion
- Hunters and Anglers as Boaters
- Rendering Assistance and Reporting Emergencies
- California Boat Accident Reporting Requirements
- Module 6 Summary and Quiz
“GREAT COURSE! COVERED EVERYTHING NEEDED. HIGHLY RECOMMEND BOATSMART!”
– Glenn R, Orange County, CA –