The Canadian Boating License refers to the Pleasure Craft Operating Card.  As of September 15^th, 2009, every person operating a recreational boat equipped with a motor must have successfully completed the boater exam.  Non-compliance could lead to a fine of $250.  Even if you are operating a sailboat, if it has a motor (on or off) you must have this recreational boat license.

There is a little confusion out there as to exactly what the Canadian boating license is.  The main source of this confusion is that Transport Canada has licensed private companies to administer the ‘boating exam’®.  These private companies have in turn used their own terminology to brand their own product.

The official title is the “Pleasure Craft Operators Card”.  That is what is written on the actual certification card you will receive.  If you do a search on the internet you will see it referred to under countless names, such as: boater exam®, Canadian boating license, Canadian boaters certificate, safe boating license…This list goes on and on.

The term license is somewhat in accurate.  This is a certification that cannot be taken away from the user.  Once you have it, you have it for life.  Technically a license is something that can be revoked.  That being said, the boaters card is somewhat similar to obtaining a license.

Regardless of what you call it, if you plan to operate a pleasure craft in Canadian waters this summer, you must have the card by law.

Getting your Canadian boating license in not too hard.  You can study the free course material then challenge the boating exam® online.  There are a few rules you must follow, such as being supervised by a non-family member, however it is not too complicated.  Many sites will allow you to re-write the boaters exam® (only once per 24 hour period) should you fail on your first attempt.

The most important thing you must be sure of is that you are taking the boaters exam® from a Transport Canada certified provider.  Some of the providers have been suspended, so again be sure the company you use is legit.

I obtained my boating license through Boater Exam®.  I had a great experience with them and can recommend them to anyone who requires the Pleasure Craft Operators Card.

If You Are Considering Taking Your Boater Exam® Online, Here Is What You Need To Know:

There several online sites where you can get the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.  However, not all of these sites are equal.

I spent considerable time surfing around and finding all the sites where I thought I could get my pleasure craft operating card.  Once I had a list of all the sites, I cross referenced them with the official Government of Canada approved sites.

What I found was a little surprising.  Here is what I discovered:

1. Not all the sites that claimed to be approved are actually approved
2. Some of the sites have had their rights removed by Transport Canada
3. Most sites offer the boater exam® for $49.95, but some charge as much as $74.95
4. Many sites only let you write the test once.  If you fail you have to pay to re-write.
5. Some sites are accepting credit card payment over a Non-Secured site (very dangerous)

After realizing that not all Pleasure Craft Operating Card examination sites are created equal, I decided to make a short list of the best ones.  That way I could recommend a good site when it came up in conversation with others.  Additionally, I wanted to make sure that when I paid my $50.00 I actually would receive my card once I passed the boaters exam®.

With no exception, the best site I found is Boater Exam®

- Boater Exam® charges $49.95

– Boater Exam® gives you a Free study guide

– Boater Exam® Gives you unlimited retries (One per 24 hour period)

– Boater Exam® lets you print a temporary Operators Card to use until the real one arrives in the mail

– Boaters Exam® uses a secure internet connection to accept payment

– Boater Exam® is a Canadian Company, based out of Ottawa, ONT.

– Boater Exam® is approved by the Better Business Bureau

If you spend a little time surfing around as I did, I am certain you will discover the same results; not all of the Pleasure Craft Operators Card testing sites are equal.  If you are looking for a no-hassle, reliable, and authorized site to take your boaters exam®, then hands down, I recommend Boater Exam® Good Luck on the test!