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Program

Montana

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Park.

Register Today
approved boating safety course

Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency.


Here's how to get started or return to your course:

We launched a completely new platform for our free online course on 11/18/2020!

Our old course system is officially retired but if you need to access your certificate of completion, you can request a copy through this form

For a brief tutorial on getting started in the new system or to contact us, click here.


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Complete the Course in Three Easy Steps:

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Enroll yourself in a Boating Safety Course from the Course Catalog

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Study and pass the FREE Boating Safety Course.

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Print out your certificate of completion yourself for free


Get Started Today! Start Now →


Education Requirements:


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Age Requirements:

In Montana, all motorboat operators aged 13 - 14 must successfully pass a state approved boating course or equivalency exam.

Children 12 years old or younger may not operate a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a motor greater than 10 horsepower (hp) unless accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

Youths 13 and 14 years of age may not operate those vessels without possessing a valid Montana motorboat operator’s certificate or evidence of completing an approved boating safety course, or unless accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older.

There are no mandatory educational requirements for persons 15 years old and up. However, a person must be 18 years or older to rent a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower.


Other Information:

Boaters may complete either an approved proctored or non proctored boating safety course for certification. Montana accepts the BoatU.S. Online Boating Safety Course for these State Education requirements.

For a home-study course offered by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department, contact your regional office for the Department. Persons 13 years of age or older who successfully complete the course will receive a Montana motorboat operators certificate.


How Do I Get My Montana Card/Certificate?


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1. After you complete the course you will be issued a printable copy of your certificate that you can print yourself and use immediately.

2. You will also have the option of ordering a Montana Fish and Wildlife Parks approved, waterproof plastic card for $15. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your card to arrive.

Course Information:


4 - 8 Hours

Estimated Course Time

6 Lessons

Each Contains a 10 Question Quiz

Final Exam

60 Questions Pulled Randomly

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Complete the Course at Your Own Pace

Choose when and where to take your course.
In our new online learning system, take it on any device with an internet connection and automatically have your progress saved when the window is closed.*

*You must be registed in our new system at courses.boatus.org and not have previously registered or started at elearning.boatus.org.


Get Started Now →

Online Course Video:



Testimonials


  • Great course, and so much more convenient than going at night for several nights... Keep up the great work, and see you on the water.

    Gene
  • Thank you so much! This was a great course and I learned so much. Hope you have a great weekend!

    Lindsay
  • Thank you. The information that you gave me allowed me to complete the course. Your assistance was very much appreciated.

    D. White
  • Thank you so much! You folks are so kind. Good luck with the updates and have safe boating fun this summer!

    Brennan