In the United States an approved online course runs $39.95 to $59.95, and most states issue the card itself free once you pass. In Canada the Pleasure Craft Operator Card costs more up front and then lasts for life.
Most US states do not issue a boating licence at all. What the law asks for is a boater education card, and the money goes to an approved course provider for the training and the exam. The state issues the card afterwards, usually at no extra charge. That is why prices differ between providers while the card is identical.
| Provider | Course price | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| BoatTests101 | $39.95 | NASBLA accredited, approved state by state |
| BOATERexam | $39.95 | State approved |
| Boat-Ed | $44.95 | State approved |
| ilearntoboat | $59.95 | Approved in most states |
Canada works differently. The Pleasure Craft Operator Card is federal rather than provincial, so one card covers the whole country, and Transport Canada accredits the providers who may test for it.
| Provider | Course price | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| BOATERexam Canada | CAD $59.95 | Transport Canada accredited |
| Boat-Ed Canada | CAD $69.95 | Transport Canada accredited |
| CanadaBoatSafety | Not published on their site | Transport Canada accredited |
BoatTests101 runs NASBLA-accredited courses in the US at $39.95, and CanadaBoatSafety is Transport Canada accredited for the PCOC. Both can be done at your own pace. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
US boater education course Canadian PCOC courseThe BoatUS Foundation runs a free online boating safety course that a number of states accept. It costs nothing to study or to sit. Some states still charge for the card, and not every state accepts it, so it is worth checking your own state first rather than assuming either way.
This varies and it is the part most price comparisons skip. Many states issue the card free once a provider reports your pass. Others charge a small administrative or replacement fee. The state agency is the only reliable source for its own fee, and each of our state pages links to it directly.
In most US states there is no boating licence as such. What the law requires is a boater education card, issued by the state once you pass an approved course and exam. The course provider charges the fee; the state issues the card.
In the United States it depends on the state, and most boater education cards are issued for life. Canada's Pleasure Craft Operator Card has no expiry date and no renewal fee.
The BoatUS Foundation runs a free online boating safety course accepted in a number of states. It costs nothing to study and sit, though some states still charge for the card itself. It is worth checking before paying for a course.
Usually yes. Most states accept a NASBLA-approved card issued by another state, which is what that approval is for in practice. Confirm with the state you are boating in, because reciprocity is set state by state.
A licence makes you legal to operate. It tells you nothing about the boat itself. Run the hull number free — it decodes the builder and model year, and flags any US Coast Guard recall campaign on record for that manufacturer.