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Get your MARYLAND Boating License Online with Boater Exam®

Who needs to take the Maryland boaters safety course?

All boaters born on or after July 1, 1972 must have a Maryland Boater Education Card to operate any numbered or documented motorized watercraft. BOATERexam.com® is a delegated provider for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

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Maryland Boating Safety Certificate
Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Approved by the

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Boating Safety Certificate is good for life

Good for life!

Get your official
Maryland Boating License

Complete the Maryland Boaters Safety Course in
4 Easy Steps

Take your BOATERexam® course and be certified for life!

Step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

Sign up for a Boaterexam® account, pay for the official course, and get started. It only takes a few minutes.

Step 2

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass the Online Course

Take the course on desktop, tablet or mobile. We automatically save your progress so you can learn at your own pace.

Step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Print Your Temporary Card Immediately

Pass the online exam and print your temporary boating license immediately.

Step 4

est. 0 mins

Go Boating!

Hit the water! You're all set to legally operate a boat.

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Maryland Boating Safety Certificate

Maryland Boater Safety Course

In Maryland, anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must successfully complete a boater safety course approved by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in order to operate any numbered or documented motorized watercraft. Boaters are required to carry the Maryland Safe Boating Certificate as proof of boater education.



Boating Age Requirements

  • In Maryland, no one may operate a motor-powered vessel involved in towing activities if they are under the age of 12 (or under the age of 16 if operating a PWC).
  • Personal watercraft operators must be at least 16 years of age and have a boating safety certificate.

The only time operators are not required to have their Boater Education Certificate is under the following conditions:

  • If the operator is from out of country, operating a boat from out of country and is not in the state of Maryland for more than 90 days;
  • If the operator is 16 years of age or older is, a resident of another state, visiting MD for 60 days or less, or in a vessel numbered in another state; or…
  • If they hold a commercial vessel operator’s license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard

Boating Supervision Requirements

As of October 1, 2010, anyone under the age of 16, who is operating a motorized vessel of 11 feet in length or greater without a valid boating safety certificate, must be under the supervision of an individual 18 years of age or older who possesses a valid boating safety certificate, or an individual born before July 1, 1972.

If an individual under the age of 16 is operating a motorized vessel of less than 11 feet in length, a person of any age possessing a valid certificate of boating safety can provide supervision.



Personal Watercraft (PWC) Age Requirements

PWC operators must be at least 16 years of age and have a boating safety certificate.

Mobile Optimized

Boating safety course on an iPad and iPhone

Study on Any Device

From laptop to mobile phone to tablet, choose when and where to take your boating course and get your Maryland Boating Card.

Visual Exam Questions

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Visual Exam Questions Help You Learn

We found out a long time ago that people learn best when they can see what they're learning. Shouldn't you be tested the same way? Every one of our exam questions is illustrated to help you get your boating licence.

Engaging Videos

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Hundreds of Engaging Videos

Our Maryland boating license course features hundreds of rich engaging boating videos and animations. That means you aren't just reading: You're watching, listening and learning.

Maryland Approved Boating License & Safety Course

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BOATERexam.com® is trusted by agencies across the United States to deliver the best of quality in boater safety. Our courses consistently receive the highest level of approval from agencies and from boaters.

This official Maryland boating safety course is approved by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources logo

Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Natural Resources Police
305 Marine Academy Drive, Suite 1
Stevensville, MD 21666
http://dnr.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

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FAQs about getting a Maryland Boating License

Below are some common questions about safe boating rules & regulations.

Q.

How much does the boat safety course cost?

A.

There is a one-time fee of $39.95 paid to BOATERexam.com®. It includes unlimited attempts at the final exam.

Q.

What payment methods are accepted?

A.

We accept payments by VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, PayPal, and Prepaid vouchers.

Q.

What is the "Certificate of Completion"?

A.

The Certificate of Completion is a temporary proof of competency and proves that you took a boater education course and passed.

Q.

What is the Maryland Boating Safety Certificate?

A.

Maryland Boating Safety Certificate (also known as the Maryland boating license or boaters license) is proof that you have met the mandatory boat safety education requirements for the State of Maryland. The Maryland Boating Safety Certificate is good for life and does not need to be renewed.

Q.

I do not have a driver's license. Can I still get the Maryland boater license?

A.

Yes. You are not required to have a state driver's license in order to obtain a Boating Safety Certificate.

Q.

How can I get my Maryland boating license?

A.

You can obtain your Maryland Boating Safety Certificate in 4 easy steps:

  1. Pay the one-time fee of $39.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam
  2. Study the Maryland Boaters Safety Course
  3. Study the Maryland Boating Safety Test
  4. Print your Certificate of Completion, and receive your Maryland Boating Safety Certificate within 8-10 business days

This official Maryland boaters safety course is approved by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Q.

How long is the boat safety course and boater license good for?

A.

The boater license is good for life.

Q.

Is anyone exempt from obtaining the Maryland boating license?

A.

Yes, there are certain exemptions from the boat safety education requirement. For more information, check out the Maryland Boating Laws page.

Q.

Is there a time limit to complete the online course?

A.

You can take the online course at any time, day or night. However, courses must be completed within 90 days of payment at which time your access to the course will expire.

Q.

How many questions are on the exam?

A.

The exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions.

Q.

What is the passing grade?

A.

The passing grade is 80%, or 60 correct answers out of 75 questions.
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