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Official Illinois Boating License Online

Take this Illinois–approved online boating course to complete your boaters safety education. Boat-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

unlimited exam attempts

Lifetime Card

Do you need to take a boaters safety course to get a Illinois boating license?

You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1998, and will be operating a vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 hp in Illinois.

How to Get your Boating License in 4 Easy Steps

Step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Getting started is easy, simply sign up for a Boat Ed student account, pay for the official, state-approved course, and visit your student dashboard.

Step 2

est. 3–4 hrs

Take the course on any desktop, tablet or mobile device, and don't worry about completing everything in one sitting. We save your progress after each lesson!

Step 3

est. 1–5 mins

After successfully passing the final exam, you're able to print a temporary boating license and go boating right away!

Step 4

est. 0 mins

That's it! You're ready to confidently and legally drive a boat. Also you'll now have access to exclusive offers on additional courses and products!

Do you need a Boating License in Illinois?

Any person born on or after January 1, 1998, operating a vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 hp is required by law to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Requirements

You must be at least 11 years old to take this online course.

You do not have to be a resident of Illinois to take this online course.

What Boaters Are Saying About Our Online Boater Safety Courses

Boat Ed has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 230,210 ratings and reviews.

What to Expect From the Boaters Safety Course

Live‐Action, High‐Definition Videos

Our course videos feature a combination of professional educators (who double as professional actors), entertaining storylines, and up‐to‐date scenarios that give you one of the most effective ways to learn safe boating practices.

Watch this 54-second sample to see how we put you in the driver’s seat.

Comprehensive Instruction in Illinois boaters Safety Course

This official training program is developed to meet the standards for Boating safety education established by Illinois. Boat Ed is the only safety course provider that develops print materials on behalf of government agencies responsible for Boating laws and regulations.

Learn Your Way on Any Device

Boat Ed offers online courses that are fully mobile-friendly from start to finish. This safety course is designed to work on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Saved Progress

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or a little at a time over several days. Log in and out at any time, and we'll keep track of your progress. Most students finish the course in a few hours.

Illinois Approved Boating License

Illinois Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702-1271

Made in the U.S.A.

This safety course is proudly made to serve students, agencies, and organizations worldwide.

Is it the Boating safety license?

Boating safety education certification is not the same thing as a Boating license. What you really need is the Boating Safety Certificate. You can get the Boating Safety Certificate by taking this boat safety course at boat-ed.com. Find out if you need the card.

Did you lose your card? Replace it here.

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Illinois Boating FAQs

Price and Payment

How much does the Illinois Boat Ed Course cost?

The Illinois Boat Ed Course fee is $44.95.

Taking the Course

Are there any age or operator restrictions for boating in Illinois?

See the restrictions here.

Do I have to complete the course all at once?

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or completed a little at a time over several days. All pay-up-front courses are available for 90 days from time of registration and payment.

What is the minimum age to take this online course?

You must be at least 11 years old to take this online course.

Do I have to be a resident to take the Illinois Boat Ed Course?

You do not have to be a resident of Illinois to take this online course.

Course Approval and Acceptance

Is the Illinois Boat Ed Course approved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources?

The Illinois Boat Ed Course is approved and accepted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Is my Illinois Boating Safety Certificate accepted elsewhere?

For visiting boaters, all states, territories, and provinces will recognize boating education cards that meet NASBLA requirements and Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Cards that meet Transport Canada’s requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)

Quizzes and/or Exams

I failed a unit quiz. Have I failed the course?

If you fail a unit quiz, you must restudy the unit and take the quiz again until you pass. You must score at least 70% on the unit quizzes to pass.

Do I have to take an online exam?

The Certification Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 80% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.

About Your Certification

What is the proof of online Illinois Boat Ed Course completion?

Once you pass and pay for the online course, you will be able to immediately print out the Temporary Boating Safety Certificate. This is your proof of online course completion. You can print the Temporary Boating Safety Certificate right then, and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you. This certificate EXPIRES 60 days after course completion.

What is the permanent Illinois Boating Safety Certificate?

The Boating Safety Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. The Boating Safety Certificate will arrive within 3-5 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

Replacement of Lost or Damaged Documents

How do I replace my Boating Safety Certificate if I’ve lost it or it has been damaged?

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Boating Safety Certificate, go to https://ilostmycard.com/.

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We’re people, not robots.

Visit our Boat Ed help center for frequently asked questions, troubleshooting, or for further customer support!

Boat Ed Help Center

Boat-ed.com is produced by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC. Kalkomey is an official state-delegated provider that provides boating education courses and certification and publishing boating safety education materials.

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About Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC

Kalkomey is the official provider of recreational safety education materials for all 50 states. We provide online boating and hunting and other recreational safety education. View press releases.

Boat Ed is produced by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC.