Official Transport Canada Approved Nunavut Boating License
The Official Transport Canada Approved Boating Safety Course to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Unlimited test retries included & good for life.
Do I Need a Boating License in Nunavut?
No, it’s not mandatory to carry proof of competency in Nunavut. Although it’s not necessary, Canada’s Boating License Course ensures you have the knowledge you need to boat safely.
BOATsmart! is Accredited by Transport Canada and a proud member of the Canadian Safe Boating Council.
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Transport Canada Approved
We've been making smart boaters for more than 17 years. BOATsmart! is Canada’s largest Transport Canada Accredited Course Provider and we’re proud to be trusted by more Canadian boaters. Your BOATsmart! Card is also accepted in more than 40 U.S. states. We’ve got you covered.
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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.
Nunavut Boating License Requirements
WHAT IS A PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATOR CARD?
A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), more commonly known as a boating community as a boating license, is a federally mandated boating competency card. You must obtain and carry your PCOC in order to legally operate any powerboat or motorized boat in Canada, except Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Unlike your driver’s licence, your PCOC can not be suspended or revoked, and once obtained it’s good for life. Boaters must carry their permanent card onboard and photocopies are not considered legal.
WHERE CAN I GET MY NUNAVUT BOATING LICENSE?
You can obtain your official boating license by taking the BOATsmart! Course online and passing the Transport Canada Boating Safety test. Once you pass the open-book Test you can print your Temporary Card right away and go boating. Your Official BOATsmart! Card will arrive in the mail within 4 weeks at no charge.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO GET A BOATING LICENSE IN NUNAVUT?
You can obtain your official boating license by taking the BOATsmart! Course online and passing the Transport Canada Boating Safety test. Once you pass the open-book Test you can print your Temporary Card right away and go boating. Your Official BOATsmart! Card will arrive in the mail within 4 weeks at no charge.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO GET A BOATING LICENSE IN NUNAVUT?
Boaters of all ages can get certified with their boat license in Nunavut. There is no minimum age. All boat operators, including those less than 16 years of age, are required by law to obtain a carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) and carry it while boating. Additionally, certain Age and Horsepower Restrictions apply to boaters 16 years of age and under. See below.
AGE AND HORSEPOWER RESTRICTIONS
No children under 12 years of age can operate a powerboat with a more than 10 horsepower engine.
Youths, aged 12 to 15 may only operate a boat with a motor up to 40 horsepower unsupervised.
Operators must be at least 16 years of age to operate a personal watercraft, such as a Jet Ski or Sea Doo.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY BOATING LICENSE?
Boaters can get their Boating License online in as little as 3 hours, by completing the online boating safety course and passing the Transport Canada Boating Safety Test. Once completed, they can print an official boating license immediately. BOATsmart! then mails the permanent card within four weeks. Although boaters can complete an in-person classroom course and test, the online course is the fastest way to complete the process.
CAN I GET REFRESHER LESSONS AFTER TAKING THE BOATING COURSE?
Boating laws can change over time, and certain boating skills like docking your boat in the wind or anchoring your boat for an overnight stay often need revisiting. There’s also lots to know about the boating safety equipment you need onboard, as well as remembering the different types of marker buoys on Nunavut waterways. That’s why we’ve created a free, comprehensive BOATsmart! Knowledge Base. Nunavut boaters can also obtain a printed BOATsmart! Study Guide to keep on board as a reference guide. The BOATsmart! Study Guide is available online and at Canadian Tire.
DO I NEED A LICENSE TO RENT A BOAT IN NUNAVUT?
It is highly recommended that boat operators obtain their PCOC before renting or operating a boat in Canada. In order to rent a boat in Nunavut, operators must either complete a rental boat safety checklist or be certified with their Pleasure Craft Operator Card. By obtaining your boat license you will learn all of the knowledge you need in order to boat with confidence.
Boating and alcohol in Nunavut
NUNAVUT BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS
Boat passengers may consume alcohol on board a boat in Nunavut so long as the boat is licensed for alcohol consumption, or the boat has a permanent toilet, cooking facilities, sleeping facilities and it is anchored or docked.
Contact the RCMP for more information about the laws for boating with alcohol in Nunavut.
NUNAVUT BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS
The fines and penalties for driving a boat while under the influence of alcohol in Nunavut are the same as those for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.
A boat operator’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level cannot exceed 80 mg. This is the legal alcohol limit in Nunavut.
There is NO difference between drunk driving & drunk boating.
Age & Horsepower Restrictions
12 YEARS OF AGE & UNDER
Can operate a boat without supervision so long as the engine is not more than 10 horsepower and they have proof of competency. Boaters 12 years of age and under are not allowed to operate a PWC under any conditions.
12-16 years of age
Can operate a boat without supervision as long as the engine is not more than 40 horsepower and they have proof of competency. They are not allowed to operate a PWC under any conditions.
16+ YEARS OF AGE
Can operate a boat or PWC without supervision or horsepower restrictions so long as they have proof of competency.
ALL OPERATORS
All boat operators in provinces and territories except Nunavut and Northwest Territories regardless of age are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or face a minimum $250 fine.
Nunavut's Boating Fines
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General Boating Nunavut FAQs
WHO ENFORCES NUNAVUT’S BOATING LAWS?
Both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local municipal police detachments patrol Nunavut’s waterways.
Boating Emergencies:
Call 911 for emergencies on the water, like a boating accident or drowning.
DO I NEED A PCOC TO GO BOATING AND FISHING IN NUNAVUT?
No, a PCOC is not required in Nunavut. However, it is a smart idea to get certified and know that you have the boating skill and confidence you should have when operating a boat, especially if you’re operating in areas with cold water temperatures.
How To Get a Boat License in Nunavut
DO I NEED A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSE?
All motorized boats and PWCs in Nunavut powered by 10 horsepower or more are required to have a Pleasure Craft License. The number must be displayed on both sides of the bow, above the waterline, as far forward as possible, in block letters at least 7.5cm high that contrast with the colour of the boat.
HOW DO I GET A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSE?
You can obtain a 10 year license for free from Service Canada. There are two ways obtain the license:
Option 1: Apply for a free Pleasure Craft License online.
Option 2: Download a paper application form and mail the completed form to the Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre at the following address:
Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
P.O. Box 2006
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5G4
REGISTERING YOUR BOAT
Registering your boat is different than obtaining a Pleasure Craft License for your boat. There are added benefits to registering your boat.
BUYING A NEW OR USED BOAT IN NUNAVUT
Buying a boat in Nunavut? Whether it’s a brand new boat from a dealership or a used vessel, you’re required to obtain a Pleasure Craft License. You are also required by law to ensure you carry on board all of the required boating safety equipment for the type and size of vessel.
A Pleasure Craft License or ‘boat license’ is a document and a set of I.D. numbers for your vessel. The document must be on board your boat at all times and the numbers must be displayed on the bow of your boat at all times.
Welcome To The Land of the Midnight Sun
Nunavut Boating Destinations
As one of Canada’s three territories, Nunavut accounts for two-thirds of Canada’s coastline. Spot whales swimming in the frigid Arctic waters or book the fishing trip of a lifetime around Baffin Island.
Although the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) isn’t required in Nunavut, taking Canada’s Official Boating Course and obtaining your Pleasure Craft Operator Card will help keep you safe and boat with confidence. If you’ll be boating on Nunavut waterways, the BOATsmart! Online Course includes important information about cold water safety and survival. Get certified today!
Helpful resources for boating in Nunavut
Nunavut's top boating destinations!