Boating Safety Education
Mandatory Boating Safety Certification
Tennessee State Residents
Requirements
Any Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989, is required to pass a Boating Safety Exam. Upon completion of the exam, students will receive a TWRA-issued Boating Safety Certification of Completion wallet card. Boaters must have this card on their person while operating any vessel in Tennessee. The Boating Safety Certification of Completion is not required if there is an adult (18 years old or older, born before January 1, 1989) on board to take immediate control of the vessel.
Boating Safety Exam, Permit
You must purchase a Boating Safety Exam Permit before taking the Exam. The permit can be purchased on the GoOutdoorsTennessee website. You must have a TWRA account number to purchase a Boating Safety Exam Permit and/or take a Boating Safety Exam.
Boating Safety Exam, Online or Instructor-led
After you purchase the permit, you may take the Boating Safety Exam online or an Instructor-led class, which can be found on the TWRA GoOutdoorsTennessee Event Calendar.
Boating Safety Exam, Study Guide
A Boating Safety Exam Study Guide is available online, or you can request home study materials by emailing your name and address to TWRA.BoaterEducation@tn.gov or by calling 615-781-6538.
Out-of-State Residents
If you were born after January 1, 1989, TWRA will accept any National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety certificate.
1. Who needs a Tennessee boating education certification?
If you are a Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989, and operating a vessel with more than 8.5 horsepower, then you need the certification.
If you are a non-Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989, visiting Tennessee, and operating a boat with more than 8.5 horsepower, you will need a boating education certificate approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
If you were born on or before January 1, 1989, you are not required to have an education, but you may still complete the online course and receive the Tennessee Boater Education Certificate.
Completing this course allows you to boat on other States' waters that require education. Even if you do not need the certification, you may save on your boat insurance by getting one.
2. How do I replace my lost or stolen boating safety card?
If your Boating Safety Card is lost or stolen, you need to log on to the TWRA GoOutdoorsTennessee website. In the licensing section, update with current personal information.
Once all is updated, you need to purchase a Boating Safety Certification Card (located in the Specialty section), and a new card will be mailed to you. You can also purchase the Card from any place that sells hunting/fishing licenses.
3. How do I study?
There are many avenues to study:
A Boating Safety Exam Study Guide is available online, or the Boat-Ed website. You can also request home study materials by emailing your name and address to TWRA.BoaterEducation@tn.gov or by calling 615-781-6538.
4. How do I take the exam?
First, you must be at least 12 years old to take the exam.
After studying the boating safety material, you must first purchase a boating safety exam permit from the TWRA GoOutdoorsTennessee website or any business (license agent) that sells hunting and fishing licenses (Walmart sporting goods, bait stores, marinas, etc.). You will need your Social Security number and driver's license if applicable.
You can take then take the Boating Safety Exam online or in an instructor-led course. You will need to show your permit or TWRA Account ID.
If you are taking an instructor-led course, take the Boating Safety Permit to the class/exam, as it will be validated when you pass the exam and serve as your temporary Boating Safety Certification until the card is mailed to you.
If you do not pass the exam, this permit can continue to be used to take the exam as many times as it takes to pass. Try not to lose it!
5. Where do I find the Instructor-led locations of classes and exams?
Instructor-led classes can be found on the TWRA GoOutdoorsTennessee Event Calendar.
6. How long does it take to complete the exam?
Allow approximately one hour to take the exam.
7. How long will it take to receive my wallet card?
When you pass the exam, you will receive your wallet card in the mail within a few weeks.
