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.

First of all, the Canada boater exam® is a boating exam, not a replacement for a full boating education.  The Canadian boating exam® is what you will have to pass to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operators Card.

The Pleasure Craft Operators Card became mandatory as of September 15, 2009 for all motorized pleasure craft.

The was initiated to make sure all boaters have at least the bare minimum of safety education before heading out on the water.  Unlike driving a car, boaters in Canada have never had to pass a test or have a license to operate a boat.

While the Canada boater exam® will teach you the basics of safety and the basic navigational skills you will require, it certainly is not a replacement for a full boating course and practical experience from a knowledgeable boater.

It is easy to go out and buy a boat and head out on the water.  What is not so easy is learning the skills you may one day need in an emergent situation.  The $250 fine you could receive for not having your Pleasure Craft Operators Card is perhaps the least of your worries.   If you do not have the basic boating skills you or one of you passengers may well end up injured or worse, dead.

If you are a knowledgeable boater, by all means, take the simple online boaters exam® and have a wonderful summer on the water.

If you are a beginner boater, take the boater exam® and also enroll in a full boating course in your area.  The skills you will learn will serve you well and you will be confident when heading out on the water that you are prepared for most situations.

If you are going to take the boaters exam® online, make sure it is from a Transport Canada accredited site.  I got my Pleasure Craft Operators Card from Boater Exam®