Driving · Boating
Boater Education Card Exam (NASBLA-approved boating safety course)
Practice for the exam at the end of a state-approved boating safety course (the 'boating license' or boater education card): life jackets and other required equipment, the Navigation Rules, aids to navigation, trip planning, emergencies and environmental rules, weighted to the NASBLA national standard, plus a state part for California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania.
Questions last checked against the official sources on October 11, 2026.
The real exam at a glance
- Who needs it
- Set by each state; for example all motorboat operators in California (since 2025) and New York, people born on or after 1 Jan 1988 in Florida (10 hp or more), 1 Sept 1993 in Texas (over 15 hp), 1 Jan 1982 in Pennsylvania (over 25 hp) and all PWC operators in Pennsylvania
- Course standard
- NASBLA American National Standards for Basic Boating Knowledge (ANSI/NASBLA 100-2022 Core with 103-2022 Plus Power)
- Exam
- Multiple choice at the end of a state-approved course, online or in a classroom; length and pass mark set by the state
- Card
- Issued by the state boating agency; valid for life in California, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania
- Practice mock
- 50 national + 10 state questions, 80% practice pass line
What you'll practise
Try a question
Who is responsible for the wake your boat creates?
- The other boat's operator
- The operator, for any damage or injury it causes
- Nobody, wakes are natural
- The marina owner
Show the answer
B. The operator, for any damage or injury it causes — NASBLA technical report (5.6.1): each operator is responsible for the boat's wake and can be held liable for damage or injuries it causes.
Sample questions by topic (in English)
- Terms and boat types
- Required equipment
- Safe boat operation
- Navigation rules
- Aids to navigation and security zones
- Emergencies
- Other water activities
- Environment
- State law (CA)
- State law (TX)
- State law (FL)
- State law (NY)
- State law (PA)
Ask the examiner
Ask about this exam: why an answer is wrong, a grammar point, or “quiz me on …”.
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Questions about the Boater Education Card (U.S.)
Is this the official Boater Education Card (U.S.)?
No. Semplr is independent and not affiliated with the exam body. We write every question ourselves, in the official format and at the official level.
What is the real Boater Education Card (U.S.) like?
Who needs it: Set by each state; for example all motorboat operators in California (since 2025) and New York, people born on or after 1 Jan 1988 in Florida (10 hp or more), 1 Sept 1993 in Texas (over 15 hp), 1 Jan 1982 in Pennsylvania (over 25 hp) and all PWC operators in Pennsylvania. Course standard: NASBLA American National Standards for Basic Boating Knowledge (ANSI/NASBLA 100-2022 Core with 103-2022 Plus Power). Exam: Multiple choice at the end of a state-approved course, online or in a classroom; length and pass mark set by the state. Card: Issued by the state boating agency; valid for life in California, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania. Practice mock: 50 national + 10 state questions, 80% practice pass line.
How is my practice marked?
Instantly. You see your score against the pass mark, and an explanation for every question — including the ones you got right.
Can I take it on my phone?
Yes. The whole mock exam works on a phone, and your progress is saved in your browser.
Ready for a full run?
One sitting, real timing, then your score against the pass mark.
Start the free mock exam