Happy Hullidays Save 50% For a Limited Time
SAVE 50% on the Official Transport Canada Approved Boating Safety Course, Test & License + receive a FREE PADDLERsmart! course with each course purchased. Perfect for all ages & good for life.
Who Needs It
Who needs a pleasure craft operator card?
All motorized boat operators in Canada must have proof of competency, such as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, (more commonly known as a boating license) regardless of age, length of boat or engine horsepower, other than in waters of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Operating without proof of competency can result in a $250.00 fine. If your boat is equipped with a motor, even those smaller than 10hp or an electronic trolling motor, you need the card.
Get Certified In 3 Easy Steps
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1. Study Online
- Animated, narrated and video lessons help you learn
- Perfect for all ages
- Study at your own pace
- Anywhere, on any device
- Live in-course customer support
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2. Pass The Test
- Official Transport Canada Boating Safety Test
- Free unlimited retries
- Risk free
- Open book, multiple choice
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3. Go Boating Today
- Card is good for life
- Print temp card immediately
- Avoid the $250 fine
- Go boating today
Family Pricing
Replace your Card
Transport Canada Approved
Canada's Boating Educator
We’ve been making smart boaters for more than 17 years and are proud to have certified more than 650,000 Canadians for their boating license.
BOATsmart! is accredited by Transport Canada to certify boaters for their Official Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The BOATsmart! Card is good for life and valid in all Canadian provinces and territories including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
BOATsmart! is also accredited and recognized by NASBLA and the US Coast Guard. Your BOATsmart! Card is valid in all US states.
Canadian Boating Laws & Regulations
Canada's Boating Laws, Rules & Regulations
Canada’s boating laws are governed federally by the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 as well as provincial laws, rules and regulations. Laws include the requirement for boaters to obtain their Pleasure Craft Operator Card as well as age and horsepower restrictions, equirements for boating safety equipment, impaired boating, vessel licensing and more. Find boating laws, rules and regulations in your province:
MADE FOR BOATERS,
BY BOATERS
Excellent!
BOATsmart! has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 8136 ratings and reviews.
Well thought out and easy to use👍
Gary R
Posted
2 months ago
It was all good. There was a spelling error on Question 14 of 50. It was about the length of the anchor Rode, I assumed you ment anchor Rope?
Steven R
Posted
2 months ago
Great content
Scott C
Posted
3 months ago
Great- helpful, informative, and quick. Thank you!
Elizabeth M
Posted
4 months ago
Very well done learning program and relevant quizzes. Only criticism is that it would be nice to know what was answered wrong in the quizzes.
Michel G
Posted
4 months ago
It was very straight forward and easy to understand. However, I think that some of the questions on the exam were not well addressed in the course.
Nicolas C
Posted
4 months ago
It was easy and good
Jaspreet S
Posted
4 months ago
Content was great, would have liked to see which questions I got wrong on the module quizes and on the final test so as to fully understand safe boating practices
Jane M
Posted
4 months ago
Great service
Rinku B
Posted
4 months ago
Good good good
Vincent P
Posted
5 months ago
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.
BUY MORE, SAVE MORE
Purchase more than one boating course, test and license and save 50%. Perfect for family, friends and workmates, we include everything your crew needs to get their Official Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
1 Boater
“It’s all about freedom. No roads, no lines, no boundaries to guide my adventures.”
– Brad McFarlane, Kelowna BC –
YOU’RE IN THE
CAPTAIN’S SEAT
The 12 most asked questions by canadian boaters
Who needs a boating license?
If you operate a motorized boat in Canada, you must have proof of competency, such as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, (PCOC or Boating License) regardless of age, length of boat, or engine horsepower, other than in waters of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Operating without proof of competency can result in a minimum $250.00 fine. Once obtained from BOATsmart!®, your PCOC is good for life.
What happens if I don't pass?
You can retry your official boating test once every 24 hours. If you fail the test more than once, Transport Canada requires that you retake the online boating course. Your one-time fee includes unlimited retries and unlimited access to the online boating course.
Is a boating license the same as a Pleasure Craft Operator Card?
All motorized boat operators in Canada are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Many boaters commonly refer to the PCOC as a boating license, boat license or boat card.
How long is my boating License good for?
The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is good for life, no renewal is required.
How old do I have to be to get a boating license?
There is no minimum age to take the online boating course. Boaters of all ages are required to obtain and carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card when operating a motorized boat. Once obtained, your boating license is good for life.
Is the card valid in all provinces?
When you obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card from BOATsmart!® it’s valid in all provinces and territories.
How do I get a boating license?
You can get your boating license in 3 easy steps. First, study and pass the official Transport Canada Boating Safety Course online. Then take the 50 questions multiple choice exam. Once passed, print a temporary card immediately and receive your PCOC by mail within 4 weeks.
What's included in the boating course?
The boating course includes all of the knowledge you need to prepare for the test and obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The course includes boating basics and terminology, rules & regulations, safety equipment, safe boat operation, navigation and right-of-way rules, marker buoys and emergency preparedness.
How hard is the test?
The online boating test is open book and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. You’ll need at least 75% (38 out of 50) to pass. Everything you need to pass is covered in the BOATsmart!® Course.
Who is BOATsmart!?
BOATsmart!® is Canada's Boating Educator and a Transport Canada Accredited Course Provider. Since 2003, we've educated and certified more than 650,000 Canadian boaters.
How do I replace my lost boating license?
BOATsmart!® issues replacement boating licenses in Canada. Call toll free 1-877-792-3926 or replace your boating license online. You can print a valid temporary card immediately and your replacement card will arrive by mail within 4 weeks.
Can I get an insurance discount with my boating license?
If you obtain your pleasure craft operator card from BOATsmart!® you are eligible for 25% off your annual policy premium, an exclusive benefit offered through BOATsmart! Assure™.
YOUR WILD AWAITS
BOATsmart! is a proud member of the Campfire Collective. Campfire is an outdoor education that helps people have awesome outdoor adventures. We also fuel your outdoor pursuits with partner discounts and inspiring content.
“A perk of being in the wild, you rise and set with the sun.”
– Campfire Ambassador Logan Dralle –
