California

Mandatory Boater Education: On January 1, 2018, California began implementing its new seven-year phase-in of the mandatory boater safety education law for boaters who operate a motorized vessel on California waterways. Prior to implementation, the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) will began issuing lifetime Boater Cards to those who show proof of passing an approved boater safety exam such as this Boat US Foundation course.

Are you pre-qualified for a California Boater Card? DBW will accept proof of passing an approved boater education course taken between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. Persons who have passed an approved examination during this timeframe will have until December 31, 2018 to apply for a Boater Card at www.CaliforniaBoaterCard.com. Phase in schedule for those who are required to possess a valid card:

• January 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2021 – Persons 40 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2022 – Persons 45 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2023 – Persons 50 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2024 – Persons 60 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2025 – All persons regardless of age

Age & Horsepower Restrictions: A person under the age of 16 may not operate a motorboat of more than 15 horsepower unless the boat is a sailboat and does not exceed 30 feet in length - OR - the boat is a dinghy used between a moored boat and shore or between 2 moored boats. The law does allow persons aged 12-15 to operate motorboats of more than 15 horsepower or sailboats over 30 feet if supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years of age.

PWC Operation: A person under that age of 16 may not operate a personal watercraft (PWC) of more than 15 horsepower unless they are between the ages of 12-15 and are supervised by a person on board who is at least 18 years of age. Any person, who allows an unsupervised person under the age of 16 to operate, is guilty of an infraction.

1. Apply for California Boater ID on the California website www.CaliforniaBoaterCard.com

2. Come to BoatUS Foundation and register for California course, enter your California Boater ID on the registration page.

3. Complete the course (you will receive a temporary certificate of completion when you pass the course)

4. We will send your Application ID to California for verification

5. You will receive a confirmation email from the state of California when your application is accepted and your card will arrive in the mail within 60 days

Watch a short video on how to apply for the card here.