Temporary Certificate Program

The Temporary Certificate Program was established to help people comply with Florida’s Boating Safety Education Identification Card requirements for operating a boat in this state. The temporary certificate is valid for 90 days for individuals who have successfully passed the exam. 

The vendors listed below are authorized by the FWC to offer the temporary certificate exam online. The online exam consists of 25 questions and 19 or more of the 25 questions must be answered correctly to pass the exam. Before taking the exam, boaters can review study materials. Visit the vendor's websites for additional information.

Temporary Certificate

The FWC offers a temporary course completion certificate for people who wish to operate a boat in Florida and do not have a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card. The temporary certificate is valid for up to 90 days from the day an individual completes the course and passes the exam. It is not a permanent replacement for the Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card. Learn how to obtain a temporary course completion certificate.

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course: This course, which is the only one in the nation to combine hunting and boating safety, is free for Florida residents ages 12 to 18. It is designed to teach participants about outdoor skills and the benefits of outdoor activities while using proper safety procedures to experience wildlife and the outdoors. By meeting all the requirements of the Outdoor Education course, students will receive their Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card and be eligible to obtain a Florida Hunter Safety Certificate. Students who successfully complete the course can also earn a 0.5 credit for high school and meet public school requirements for taking an on-line and a physical education course.

CompanyContact Information

Aceboater

https://aceboater.com/usa/florida-boat-rental

Boat Ed

boat-ed.com/floridarental/

BoatTests101

https://boattests101.com/united-states/florida/florida-rental

BoatUS

 https://www.boatus.org/fl-temp

Take My Boat Test

https://takemyboattest.com/

If a person passes the exam, they will be provided with an electronic temporary certificate showing their successful completion and passing score. It can be inspected by a livery prior to renting to ensure the prospective renter has met Florida’s boating safety education requirements. The temporary certificate and a photo ID should be available for inspection by a law enforcement officer when operating a vessel in Florida.

The temporary certificate cannot be submitted for issuance of a Boating Safety Education ID card that is valid for life. Additionally, the temporary certificate is not valid outside of Florida and cannot be used in another state to meet their boater safety education requirements.

NOTE: Individuals who have in their possession proof they have completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state are not required to obtain a temporary certificate to operate a boat in Florida.

FAQs About Boating Safety Education Requirements

I was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, and want to operate a boat in Florida. Do I need a license?Expand/Collapse I was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, and want to operate a boat in Florida. Do I need a license?

To operate a motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or greater requires anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the FWC. 

Florida does not have a "boating license." The Boating Safety Education Identification Card is proof of successfully completing the educational requirements and is valid for life.

Boating Glossary

AT ANCHOR - Held in place in the water by an anchor, includes "moored" to a buoy or anchored vessel and "dragging anchor."

BOATING ACCIDENT - A collision, accident, or casualty involving a vessel in or upon, or entering into or exiting from, the water, including capsizing, collision with another vessel or object, sinking, personal injury, death or disappearance of any person from on board under circumstances which indicate the possibility of death or injury, or property damage to any vessel or dock.

CABIN MOTORBOAT - Motorboats with a cabin which can be completely closed by means of doors or hatches. Large motorboats with cabins, even though referred to as yachts, are considered to be cabin motorboats.

CAPSIZING - Overturning of a vessel.

COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VESSEL - Any striking together of two or more vessels, regardless of operation at time of the accident, is a collision. (Also includes colliding with the tow of another vessel, regardless of the nature of the tow; e.g., surfboard, ski ropes, skier, tow line, etc.)

COLLISION WITH FIXED OBJECT - The striking of any fixed object above or below the surface of the water.

COLLISION WITH A FLOATING OBJECT- Collision with any waterborne object (except another vessel) above or below the surface that is free to move with the tide, current, or wind.

CRUISING - Proceeding normally, unrestricted, with an absence of drastic rudder or engine changes.

DOCUMENTED VESSEL - A vessel for which a valid certificate of documentation is outstanding pursuant to 46 C.F.R. part 67. Documented vessels are not numbered.

DOCUMENTED YACHT - A vessel of five or more net tons owned by a citizen of the United States and used exclusively for pleasure with a valid marine document issued by the United States Coast Guard. Documented vessels are not numbered.

DRIFTING - Underway, but not proceeding over the bottom with use of engines, oars, or sails; being carried along only by the tide, current, or wind.

FALLEN SKIER - A person who has fallen off their waterskis.

FALL OVERBOARD - A person who unintentionally exits the vessel.

FAULT OF OPERATOR - Speeding, overloading, improper loading, not properly seating occupants of boat, no proper look-out, carelessness, failure to heed weather warnings, operating in a congested area, not observing the Rules of the Road, unsafe fueling practices, lack of experience, ignorance of aids to navigation, lack of caution in an unfamiliar area of operation, improper installation or maintenance of hull, machinery or equipment, poor judgment, recklessness, overpowering the boat, panic, proceeding in an unseaworthy craft, operating a motorboat near persons in the water, starting the engine with clutch engaged or throttle advanced, or irresponsible boat handling (such as quick, sharp turns).

FIBERGLASS (PLASTIC) HULL - Hulls of fiber-reinforced plastic. The laminate consists of two basic components, the reinforcing material (glass filaments) and the plastic or resin in which it is embedded.

FIRE/EXPLOSION (FUEL) - Accidental combustion of vessel fuel, liquids (including their vapors) or other substances such as wood or coal.

FIRE/EXPLOSION (OTHER) - Accidental burning or explosion of any material on board except vessel fuels or their vapors.

FLORIDA INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY - The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from the Georgia state line north of Fernandina to Miami, the Port of Canaveral lock and canal to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Miami to Key West; the Okeechobee Waterway, Stuart to Fort Myers; the St. Johns River, Jacksonville to Sanford; the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Anclote to Fort Myers; the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Carrabelle to Tampa Bay; Carrabelle to Anclote open bay section (using Gulf of Mexico); the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Carrabelle to the Alabama state line west of Pensacola; and the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers in Florida.

FLOODING - Filling with water, regardless of method on ingress, but retaining sufficient buoyancy to remain on the surface.

FUELING - Any stage of the fueling operation, primarily concerned with introduction of explosive or combustible vapors or liquids on board.

GROUNDING - Running aground of a vessel, striking or pounding on rocks, reefs, or shoals; "stranding."

IMPROPER LOADING - Loading, including weight shifting of the vessel causing instability, limited maneuverability, or dangerously reduced freeboard.

INBOARD/OUTBOARD - Also referred to as inboard/outdrive. Regarded as inboard because the power unit is located inside the boat and has a stern mounted propulsion unit.

MANEUVERING - Changing of course, speed, or similar boat handling action during which a high degree of alertness is required or the boat is imperiled because of the operation (docking).

MOTORBOAT - (1) Any vessel which is propelled or powered by machinery and which is used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (2) Any vessel equipped with propulsion machinery, not more than 65 feet in length.

MOTOR VESSEL - Any vessel equipped with propulsion machinery (other than steam) more than sixty-five feet in length.

NAVIGATION RULES - The International Navigation Rules Act of 1977 for vessels on waters outside of established navigation lines of demarcation as specified in 33 C.F.R., Part 80 or the Inland Navigation Rules Act of 1980 for vessels on all waters not outside of such lines of demarcation.

NONRESIDENT - A citizen of the United States who has not established residence in this state and has not continuously resided in this state for 1 year and in one county for the 6 months immediately preceding the initiation of a vessel titling or registration action.

NO PROPER LOOK-OUT - No proper watch, the failure of the operator to perceive danger because no one was serving as look-out, or the person so serving failed in that regard.

NUMBERED VESSEL - An undocumented vessel numbered by a state with a numbering system approved by the United States Coast Guard under Chapter 123, Title 46, U.S.C.

OPEN MOTORBOAT - Craft of open construction specifically built for operating with a motor, including boats canopied or fitted with temporary partial shelters.

OPERATE - To be in charge of or in command of or in actual physical control of a vessel upon the waters of this state, or to exercise control over or to have responsibility for a vessel's navigation or safety while the vessel is underway upon the waters of this state, or to control or steer a vessel being towed by another vessel upon the waters of this state.

OWNER - A person, other than a lien holder, having the property in or title to a vessel. The term includes a person entitled to the use or possession of a vessel subject to an interest in another person, reserved or created by agreement and securing payment of performance of an obligation, but the term excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security.

OUTBOARD - An engine not permanently affixed to the structure of the craft, regardless of the method or location used to mount the engine; e.g., motor wells, Akicker pits,@ motor pockets, etc.

OVERLOADING - Excessive loading of the vessel causing instability, limited maneuverability, dangerously reduced freeboard, etc.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT - A vessel less than 16 feet in length which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive power and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

RECKLESS OPERATION - A person is guilty of reckless operation of a vessel who operates any vessel, or manipulates any water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property at a speed or in a manner as to endanger, or likely to endanger, life or limb, or damage the property of, or injure any person.

REGISTRATION - A state operating license on a vessel which is issued with an identifying number, an annual certificate of registration, and a decal designating the year for which a registration fee was paid.

REPORTABLE BOATING ACCIDENT - A boating accident that results in personal injury requiring medical treatment beyond immediate first aid, death, disappearance of any person from on board under circumstances which indicate the possibility of death or injury, or damage to any vessel or other property in an apparent aggregate amount of at least $500.

RESIDENT - A citizen of the United States who has established residency in this state and has continuously resided in this state for 1 year and in one county for the 6 months immediately preceding the initiation of a vessel titling or registration action.

RULES OF THE ROAD -The Inland and International Navigation Rules for the prevention of collision at sea.

SAILBOAT OR AUXILIARY SAILBOAT - (1) Any vessel whose sole source of propulsion is the natural element (i.e., wind). (2) Craft intended to be propelled primarily by sail, regardless of size or type.

SINKING - Losing enough buoyancy to settle below the surface of the water.

SPEEDING - Operating at a speed, possibly below the posted speed limit, above that which a reasonable and prudent person would operate under the circumstances.

STEEL HULL - Hulls of sheet steel or steel alloy, not those of steel ribs and wood, canvas, or plastic hull coverings.

STRUCK BY BOAT OR PROPELLER - Striking of a victim who is outside of the boat, but not necessarily a swimmer.

SWAMPING - Filling with water, particularly over the side, but retaining sufficient buoyancy to remain on the surface.

TOWING - Engaged in towing any vessel, fishing gear, or object other than a person.

WOOD HULL - Hulls of plywood, molded plywood, wood planking, or any other wood fiber in its natural consistency, including those of wooden construction that have been "sheathed" with fiberglass or sheet metal.

VESSEL - Is synonymous with boat as referenced in s.1(b), Article VII of the State Constitution and includes every description of watercraft, barge, and air boat, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as means of transportation on water.

Download a flyer with this personal watercraft rental safety information.

• Alcohol and many other drugs are dangerous when combined with any form of boating. Do not operate any boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

• It is very important to get in the habit of wearing a life jacket while boating. Not only is life jacket wear mandatory for personal watercraft riders, it is also highly recommended that appropriate protective clothing and footwear are worn.

• Securely attach the engine shut-off cord (lanyard) to your wrist or life jacket and wear it at all times. This will ensure the engine stops should you fall overboard.

• Starting and stopping the engine(s) usually requires the push of a button. Stopping the engine will not stop forward motion and will result in the loss of steering.

• The throttle controls your speed and the steering wheel or handlebars move the jet thrust nozzle in different directions to steer the boat. Do not decrease throttle when trying to steer, and always remember that boats don’t have brakes.

• Items such as long hair, loose clothing or life jacket straps can become entangled in moving parts within the water intake grate and cause severe injury or drowning. Stay away from the intake grate.

• Do not apply throttle when anyone is at the rear of the boat. Water forced from the jet thrust nozzle can cause serious bodily injury.

• Most boating injuries and many deaths are the result of collisions. Learning to avoid collisions will keep your boating experience safe and more enjoyable.

• Most boating accidents are due to operator inattention or carelessness. Be aware ofdangers approaching from any direction.

• Operate at a safe speed while keeping more than enough distance between you and other boats. Remember, the faster you are going the more distance you will travel when trying to react to danger, thus increasing the likelihood of collision and serious bodily injury or death.

• It is unsafe and against the law to follow closely behind another boat, to spray another boat or a person, to jump boat wakes close to a boat and to make sharp turns or maneuvers which make it difficult for others to avoid colliding with you.

• Personal watercraft and jet boats are not toys. It is important that you avoid aggressive maneuvers, sharp turns or jump waves or wakes. These activities increase the risk of back/spinal injuries (paralysis), facial injuries and broken bones.

• For personal watercraft operators, it is important that you follow the proper instructions for righting the boat in the event you capsize in open water. Discuss this with your rental company before going out.

• The rental company has rules aimed at protecting you. Understand and follow the rental company’s rules and the boating laws that apply to the type of boat you are renting.

• Make sure your rental company has explained any specific local boating hazards and regulations so you can avoid problems on the water.

• There are specific warnings and instructions that apply to the boat you are going to operate. Become familiar with all product labels on the boat and follow the directions.