Self-paced online training makes it easy for Florida boaters to meet safety requirements from home
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – February 4, 2026 – The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has introduced the only no-cost, interactive boating safety course designed specifically for Florida’s recreational boaters.
Approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the course satisfies the state’s boating safety education requirements and allows students to complete the material at their own pace. After successfully passing the exam, participants can immediately print a temporary completion certificate and will later receive a lifetime boater education card issued by FWC.
The course blends instructional videos with interactive, real-world scenarios that help students learn how to assess common situations encountered on the water. Learners “travel” through a series of boating storylines using tools such as flashcards, drag-and-drop exercises, and other engagement features that reinforce retention. Participants even create and name a virtual vessel that carries them through the training while tracking how far they’ve “traveled” during the course.
Florida law requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or greater, to complete an approved boating safety course and carry both photo identification and proof of course completion issued by FWC.
The BoatUS Foundation’s online course and exam are also approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as exceeding the minimum standards set for the National Recreational Boating Safety Program.
“NASBLA approval of our Florida Boating Safety Course represents a meaningful step forward for boater safety,” said Lynne O’Hearn, Program Manager at the BoatUS Foundation. “Education is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce accidents, and this program gives Florida boaters an accessible way to build the knowledge they need to navigate the state’s waterways responsibly.”
To enroll in the course, visit BoatUS.org/Florida. Additional information about Florida boating safety education can be found at myfwc.com/boating/safety-education.
