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Interactive Virginia Boating Certificate Course

The fastest Virginia boaters safety course—no timers! ilearntoboat.com is a delegated boating safety provider for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources logo United States Coast Guard logo National Association of State Boating Law Administrators logo

You need boating education in Virginia if you are 14 years and older and you will be operating a boat powered by a motor of 10 hp or more or a PWC.

iLearnToBoat characters holding Virginia safety education card

This course is approved by the state of Virginia and, once successfully completed, will result in your Virginia Boating Certification.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources logo
Virginia Boater Education Card

How to Get your Boating Certificate in 4 Easy Steps

Step 1

Boat step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

Sign up for your ilearntoboat® student account, pay for the course, and get started right away.

Step 2

Step 2 image

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass the Online Course

Learn at your own pace on any device. We automatically save your progress, whether you take the course on desktop, tablet or mobile.

Step 3

Boat step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Print Your Temp Card Immediately

You're able to print your temporary boating certificate as soon as you've passed the online exam.

Step 4

Boat step 4

est. 0 mins

Go Boating!

Time to make waves! You can now legally and confidently operate a boat.

Get Started

Start your interactive Boater Safety Course now and get your boating certification 2–3 times faster than other courses.

Why Take This Course?

Feature iLearnToBoat iLearnToBoat Other Courses
Virginia-Approved boater education
No minimum time requirements
Complete the course in under 3 hours
Real-life situations
Role-playing simulations
Final exam
Boater Education Certificate

The Boater Education Certificate

The Boater Education Certificate (often referred to as "Virginia boating certification" or "Virginia Boater Education Card") is proof that you have successfully completed all state-mandated boater education requirements.

Vessel operators who are required to have a Boater Education Certificate must carry their card on board the vessel and have it available for inspection by enforcement officers.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources logo

The Only Approved Interactive Boater Safety Course in Virginia

This interactive course was developed in accordance with the standards set forth by NASBLA as well as meets the requirements of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Official course provider approved by:

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
7870 Villa Park Drive, PO Box 90778
Henrico, VA 23228

Interactive devices

Get Started

Start your interactive Boater Safety Course now and get your boating certification 2–3 times faster than other courses.

The Only Gamified Interactive Course


Virginia-Approved Boater Safety Education

Our interactive boater safety course satisfies all boater education requirements established by NASBLA and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

No Minimum Time Requirements

Students complete our interactive courses faster than our traditional courses. Why? There are no timers—ever!

Complete the Course in Under 3 Hours

Instruction that engages the brain using both words and images has been shown to significantly increase student retention and comprehension. When you combine interactive learning with no minimum time requirement, it’s easy to understand why many of our students complete their boater education in under 3 hours!

Real-Life Situations

Make choices for your character that will earn you awards and allow you to move through levels by applying what you’ve learned about boater safety throughout the challenges.

Role-Playing Simulations

We made sure to include plenty of mini-games and realistic simulations to keep you engaged along the way. Earn achievement badges as you master trip planning, emergency preparation, and safety operations. Crack all of the levels, and you will be awarded your boating education certificate.

Watch ilearntoboat in action!

Virginia Boating Laws and Regulations

Virginia law requires boater education for all boaters 14 years of age and older who operate a boat powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more or a PWC.

Virginia Age and Operator Restrictions

No one under the age of 14 may operate a PWC.

Exemptions to Virginia Boater Education Requirements

An operator can comply with Virginia boating safety education requirement by:

  • Passing a boating course that is approved by NASBLA and accepted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources or…
  • Passing an equivalency exam offered by Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources or…
  • Holding a valid vessel operation certificate from the U.S. Coast Guard, a marine certificate issued by the Canadian government, or a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card or…
  • Holding a Virginia temporary operator’s certificate or…
  • Providing documentation of serving or qualifying as a surface warfare officer or enlisted surface warfare specialist in the U.S. Navy or…
  • Providing documentation of serving or qualifying as an Officer of the Deck Underway, boat coxswain, boat officer, boat operator, watercraft operator, or Marine Deck Officer in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Coast Guard, or U.S. Merchant Marine.

Get Started

Start your interactive Boater Safety Course now and get your boating certification 2–3 times faster than other courses.

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Boating Safety Resources

For additional information and resources related to best boating safety practices, read through our latest blog posts.

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Virginia Boating Certificate FAQs

Price and Payment

How much does the Virginia ilearntoboat Course cost?

The Virginia ilearntoboat Course fee is $59.95.

Taking the Course

Do you need Virginia Boating education?

You need boating education in Virginia if you will be operating a PWC or motorboat.

Are there any age or operator restrictions for boating in Virginia?

What is the minimum age to take this online course?

There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.

Do I have to be a resident to take the Virginia ilearntoboat Course?

You do not have to be a resident of Virginia to take this online course.

Course Approval and Acceptance

Is the Virginia ilearntoboat Course approved by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources?

The Virginia ilearntoboat Course is approved and accepted by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Is my Virginia Boater Education Certificate accepted elsewhere?

For visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada's requirements.

Quizzes and/or Exams

Do I have to take an online exam?

The Final Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 90% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.

About Your Certification

What is the proof of online Virginia ilearntoboat Course completion?

Once you pass and pay for the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Temporary Boater Education Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Temporary Boater Education Certificate right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you. This certificate EXPIRES 90 days after course completion.

What is the permanent Virginia Boater Education Certificate?

The Boater Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boater Education Certificate will arrive within 3-4 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

Replacement of Lost or Damaged Documents

How do I replace my Boater Education Certificate if I’ve lost it or it has been damaged?

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Boater Education Certificate, go to https://ilostmycard.com/.

Customer Service

Your ilearntoboat course comes with a dedicated customer service team made up of real people, not robots. We’re here to provide assistance to you through all channels—phone, email, and chat.

We’re available to help you:

Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST, and
Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST
1-800-830-2268 (toll free)

Members of the Kalkomey Support Team
Support