Boater Safety Requirements in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commission mandates that boat operators complete a Pennsylvania (PA) boating safety course before they operate a boat for personal or recreational reasons. If you are 28 years old or younger, you also must take a PA boater safety course before you operate watercraft that is designed with a horsepower capacity that exceeds 25.

Upon completion of the boat safety course, you will receive a certificate from the PA Commission that identifies you as an educated boat safety operator. The PA Boating Safety Education certificates are valid for the remainder of the boat operator’s life. A boat license or a boaters license are not required to register to take the course.

NOTE: Boaters who reside outside of PA are required to obtain a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved certificate before they operate boats in PA.

Locating a Boaters Safety Class

Classroom (in person) and online boat safety courses are available. Courses cost $10. To schedule to take a classroom course, you can contact the PA Fish and Boat Commission at 888-723-4741. Classroom courses are taught by members of the PA Fish and Boat Commission, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the United States Power Squadron.

You can apply for a Permanent Boating Safety Education Certificate Card online. The fee for the card is $5. Check option Number One on the online form to indicate that you want a permanent card and provide your name, street mailing address, and telephone number on the form. Also be sure to include your date of birth, gender, and eye and hair color.
 
Pay for the card online using your credit card or you can mail a check in the amount of $5 to:

PA Fish & Boat Commission
Bureau of Policy, Planning & Communications
P.O. Box 67000
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000