HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Boaters across Pennsylvania now have a more affordable and convenient way to earn their Boating Safety Education Certificate, thanks to a new online course offered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).
The course, developed in partnership with the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation, costs just $17 and meets state and national safety standards. The program is approved by both the PFBC and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and it’s recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Pennsylvania law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, to obtain a certificate to operate boats with motors greater than 25 horsepower or any personal watercraft.
The course consists of six lessons, quizzes, and a final exam. Accessible on both computers and mobile devices, it can be completed in four to eight hours. Upon passing, participants receive a temporary certificate valid for 60 days, with a durable lifetime card mailed within six weeks.
Paul Littman, PFBC’s Bureau of Boating director, emphasized the program's life-saving potential, noting that “approximately 75% of boating fatalities occur on boats where the operator did not have any formal boating safety education.”
For more information or to start the course, visit the PFBC website at FishandBoat.com.