Mandatory Boating Education (For Violations and Certain Infractions)
If you have been convicted of any one of the following, you are required to successfully complete mandatory boating education.
- Any criminal boating violation.
- An infraction that resulted in a reportable boating accident.
- One specified noncriminal infraction within a 12-month period (see list of noncriminal infractions below).
There are two types of courses. Depending on the violation you were convicted of, you may need to complete one or both courses. See the table below to determine the course(s) you are required to take.
About the Type 1 Course: Boating Safety Education
- The Type 1 course includes any NASBLA/State of Florida-approved boating safety education course. This course must be completed following the date of the violation that triggered the education requirement.
- You can enroll in, attend and successfully complete a classroom course or an online course. Most of the courses charge an enrollment fee and course participants are responsible for paying that fee.
- Upon completion of this course, you must submit the certification of successful completion within 90 days to:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Division of Law Enforcement
Boating and Waterways Section
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
About the Type 2 Course: Safe Boating for Violators
- The Type 2 course is designated for violators. There is only one approved violator course. This four-hour, online-only course requires a fee for enrollment and course participants are responsible for paying that fee.
- You must enroll in, attend, and successfully complete the approved Type 2 Course. Violators must also successfully complete the Type 1 Course described above.
- Find the approved Florida violator course.
What Determines Which Course or Courses I Have to Take?
The type of violation you have been convicted of determines which course(s) you must complete. See the list of violations and corresponding mandatory course requirements below.
If you have been convicted of one noncriminal infraction as specified in s. 327.73(1)(h)-(k), (m), (o), (p), and (s)-(y) (see list below) within a 12-month period, you must successfully complete a Type 1 Course: Boating Safety Education.
List of Noncriminal Infractions
h. Section 327.33(2), relating to careless operation
i. Section 327.37, relating to water skiing, aquaplaning, parasailing, and similar activities
j. Section 327.44, relating to interference with navigation
k. Violations relating to restricted areas and speed limits:
- Established by the commission or by local governmental authorities pursuant to s. 327.46
- Speed limits established pursuant to s. 379.2431(2)
m. Section 327.50(1) and (2), relating to required safety equipment, lights, and shapes
o. Section 327.33(3)(b), relating to navigation rules
- That does not result in an accident; or
- Speed limits established pursuant to s. 379.2431(2)
p. Section 327.39(1), (2), (3), and (5), relating to personal watercraft
s. Section 327.395, relating to safety education
t. Section 327.52(3), relating to operation of overloaded or overpowered vessels
u. Section 327.331, relating to divers-down flags, except for violations meeting the requirements of s. 327.33
v. Section 327.391(1), relating to the requirement for an adequate muffler on an airboat
w. Section 327.391(3), relating to the display of a flag on an airboat
x. Section 253.04(3)(a) relating to carelessly causing seagrass scarring
y. Section 327.45 relating to protection zones for springs
If you have been convicted of any criminal boating violation, you must successfully complete a Type 1 Course: Boating Safety Education and a Type 2 Course: Safe Boating for Violators.
Criminal boating violations include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Failure to report a boating accident or render aid
- Unlawfully leaving the scene of a boating accident
- Reckless operation of a vessel
- Boating under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- Refusal to submit to a chemical test (2nd or subsequent refusals)
- Operating a vessel while privilege to operate is suspended
- Skiing while impaired/under the influence
- Reckless operation of a personal watercraft
- Allowing a person under 14 to operate a personal watercraft
- Mooring to or damaging a navigation marker, regulatory sign or buoy
- Violation of a safety/security zone
- Holding a marine event without permit or notification of authorities
- Violation of regulations pertaining to rental vessels
- Vessel title/registration fraud
- Crimes relating to altering/removing a hull identification number
If you have been convicted of an infraction that resulted in a reportable boating accident, you must successfully complete a Type 1 Course: Boating Safety Education) and a Type 2 Course: Safe Boating for Violators.
A reportable boating accident occurs when the operator of a vessel is in any manner involved in an accident resulting in any one of the following:
- Personal injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid
- Death of a person
- Disappearance of a person under circumstances which indicate the possibility of death or injury, or
- Damage to a vessel or other property which totals $2,000 or more
The information the FWC receives regarding the qualifying events (boating safety infractions/criminal boating violations) and the disposition of the cases comes from the local offices of the county clerks. Even if an FWC law enforcement officer issued the citations, any notices sent out related to the requirement to complete mandatory education are based on the records maintained by the County Clerk's office.
Individuals should contact the clerk's office in the county where the violation(s) occurred to discuss or correct the records.
Find a list of the Clerks of the Court.
No. The privilege to operate a boat in Florida is suspended until proof of course completion is filed with the FWC by anyone subject to the mandatory education requirements.
Type 1 Course: Boating Safety Education
Upon completion of the NASBLA/State of Florida-approved boating safety education course, a certification of completion must be submitted within 90 days to:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Division of Law Enforcement
Boating and Waterways Section
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
NOTE: The responsibility of ensuring that proof of completion is sent to the FWC rests with the person who is required to complete the mandatory education.
Type 2 Course: Safe Boating for Violators
Upon successful completion of the 4-hour online violator's course, the course provider will automatically send proof of completion to the FWC electronically. You should receive a certificate of completion from the course provider and should retain a copy of this certificate.
NOTE: The 4-hour online violator course is the only course where certification of completion is sent to the FWC electronically by the course provider.