Boater Safety Education

Program Overview

The main purpose of the boater safety education course is to train knowledgeable, safe and responsible boaters. Topics covered include general boating and water safety, navigational rules, causes and prevention of crashes, operation and fueling techniques, environmental concerns and reporting responsibility.

How do I register my child for a class if they do not have an email address? It is very common that the student looking to register for a class does not have an email of their own. To solve this predicament, we created a process called "Linking Accounts". By creating an account of your own and "linking" the student to that account, you now have the option to sign them up for a class with your own email. All communication about the event will be sent over to you making it easy to keep track of things. Steps to create a linked account.

Description

Any motorized boat operator born after June 30, 1996, is required by law to pass an approved boater safety course and to carry a boater safety certificate. In addition, boater education is also required for all PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. Michigan’s boater education course is taught by a dedicated core of certified volunteer instructors, sheriff’s deputies and Michigan conservation officers.

About the Class:

In person, traditional classroom setting
Written test (80% or better to pass)
No minimum age requirement; however, students under 10 years of age shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian.

Managed & Approved by:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

May 2026

May 16