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.
How to Take the Exam:
1. Buy the Boating Safety Exam Permit (Type 600) on gooudoorstennessee.com or anywhere that sells our licenses. Make sure to check your address to ensure that your card gets sent to the right place!
2. If you want to take an in-person class, you can find the nearest one on the TWRA Events Calendar.
3. If you are taking it online, study for the test using the Boat-ed online exam study guide provided for free. Click through the units to get started.
4. Take the exam using the TWRA boating exam website.
5. Take a screenshot of the YOU PASSED page before doing anything else, like seeing your missed questions. Print that off, and it will be your temporary proof of completion until your card comes in the mail.
a. You can also use the TWRA on the Go app as proof of certification; it will show up as the date you passed the exam right underneath your date of birth and customer ID number.
FAQ
I can’t find my boating certification on my account, where is it located?
While a physical card is highly recommended, you can also find it on the TWRA on the Go app. It will be listed underneath your TWRA ID number on your account page. The boating safety exam permit attached to your account does not count as proof of completion; your account must have the certification date attached. If your boater safety is not attached to your TWRA account, you are required to have a NASBLA approved physical card or certificate on you while boating.
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?
A Boating Safety Exam Study Guide is available online or on the Boat-Ed website.
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 then take the Boating Safety Exam online or take 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.
