How to get your
Canadian Boating License

We explain what a “Boating License” is
and the steps you can follow to get yours today.

How to get your
Canadian Boating License

We explain what a “Boating License” is and the steps you can follow to get yours today.

Let’s start with some questions and answers

What is a boating license?

In all provinces of Canada, the terms “boating license”, or “boater license”, or “boater card” always refer to the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). A PCOC is the same size and thickness and made of the same material as a credit card and it looks like this:

Why am I required to carry a PCOC when operating a powered watercraft?

Approximately 200 boating fatalities (and as many as 6,000 non-fatal accidents) occur annually on Canadian waters. The Pleasure Craft Operator Card program was introduced more than two decades ago in an attempt to reduce the number of boating-related injuries and fatalities. And it is working; since the implementation of the program, boating fatalities in Canada have declined steadily.

Who has to carry a PCOC?

All persons regardless of age or nationality must carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card when operating a powered watercraft on any Canadian waters. The term “powered watercraft” includes watercraft fitted with any type or size of motor (even an electric trolling motor).

The PCOC is mandatory in all provinces in Canada. Failure to carry a PCOC on you when operating a power-driven pleasure craft in Canada will result in a fine of $250 (plus administration charges).

How can I get my PCOC?

The most common way to get a PCOC is to complete a Transport Canada-accredited online course followed by the official online PCOC exam.

In Canada, PCOCs are issued by course providers that have been accredited by Transport Canada to offer the boating safety course in preparation for an official PCOC exam. Click here to see Transport Canada’s official list of accredited boating safety course providers.

Are all accredited courses the same?

Online boating safety courses offered by accredited course providers are all written to comply with the same Transport Canada course syllabus. As a result, the content of the various courses is the same.

However, the prices charged by accredited course providers varies dramatically and ranges from a high of $59.95 that BoaterExam.com charges, to a low of $29.95 charged by freecourse.ca.

If the accredited courses have the same content, why do their prices differ?

Some course providers spend heavily to advertise on social media such as FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram and on online search engines such as Google, as well as in other marketing channels. It is these large overhead costs that cause some course providers to charge very high prices.

What is the most affordable way to get a PCOC?

Step 1: Find a Good Accredited Course Provider

For Transport Canada’s complete list of accredited course providers please click here.

A review of Transport Canada’s list of accredited boating safety course providers, reveals that the most affordable accredited course provider is freecourse.ca, which charges only $29.95 for everything (the accredited online course, the official PCOC test, and the official permanent PCOC).

In addition, freecourse.ca charges only $6.95 each for extra duplicate PCOCs.

Step 2: Buy Canadian and Save

BoaterExam.com

$5995
  • American Owned

freecourse.ca

$2995
  • Canadian Owned
  • Only $6.95 per duplicate PCOC
Try the Transport Canada-accredited boating safety course for free.

BoatSmart.com

$5995
  • American Owned

The three largest PCOC sellers in Canada (BoaterExam.com, BoatSmart.com, and BoatEd.com) account for more than 80 percent of PCOCs sold in Canada. All three are now all owned by an American multinational called Kalkomey Enterprises LLC (Kalkomey), of Dallas, Texas, USA. Kalkomey, in turn, is owned by an American holding company called Cove Hill Partners LP, of Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Here is a partial list of Kalkomey-owned web sites selling official Canadian PCOCs:

Entity Price Ownership*
BoaterExam.com $59.95
BoatSmart.com $59.95
BoatSmartExam.com $59.95
Boat-Ed.com $59.95
BoatLicense.ca $59.95
BoaterLicense.ca $59.95
BoaterLicenses.com $59.95
BoatingLicense.ca $59.95
BoatingLicenseCanada.ca $59.95
BoatOperatorCard.ca $59.95
SafeBoater.com $59.95
TheOperatorCard.ca $59.95
Marine Training & Consulting.ca $59.95
AAA Boating Safety Standards $59.95
ASM Safe Boating $59.95
The Safe Boater Training Program $59.95
Forensic & Nautical Consultants Canada $59.95
PCOC.ca $59.95
BestBoating.com $59.95

*Kalkomey Enterprises LLC, Dallas, Texas, USA

To visit freecourse.ca’s website, please click here.

freecourse.ca is a 100% Canadian-owned company and 100% of your fees stay in Canada and are invested in Canada.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions on all aspects of Canadian PCOC regulations. If you have a question that should be added to this list, please send it to: support@freecourse.ca

In Canada, failure to carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card while operating a powered watercraft risks a fine of $250 (plus administrative charges). Other common boating offences and their associated fines (not including administrative charges) include:

  • Not having enough approved lifejackets on board = $200 per count
  • Careless operation = $200
  • Speeding = $100
  • Allowing someone under age to operate a boat = $250
  • Operating a powered watercraft if you are underage = $100
  • Operating a powered watercraft without a working muffler = $100
  • Towing a person without the aid of a spotter = $100

No. The requirement to carry a PCOC when operating a powered watercraft on any Canadian waters applies to all operators, regardless of age.

The PCOC regulations are enforced by provincial, county, municipal, and river and harbour police forces as well as by any persons that the Minister of Transport designates as enforcement officers. In addition to carrying a PCOC, the regulations require powered watercraft operators to carry proof of age.

If your sailboat is not fitted with a propulsion engine, then you do not need to carry a PCOC but if your sailboat is fitted with any type of propulsion engine, then you must carry a PCOC when operating that sailboat (even while you are under sail and the engine is not operating).

The PCOC is valid (and mandatory) in all Canadian provinces.

A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is a certificate (proof of competency) and is for the operator of a boat. The PCOC is not a license; think of a PCOC as being equivalent to a driver education certificate.

A Pleasure Craft License (PCL) is a document with a unique licence number for a particular pleasure craft (a pleasure craft is any vessel used for pleasure, recreation, or daily living). The PCL number serves as identification for that watercraft and allows search and rescue personnel to access important information in an emergency. No fee is required to get this licence. Every pleasure craft must have a Pleasure Craft Licence, with the following exceptions:

  • A pleasure craft using only a motor with less than 10 horsepower (7.5 kW); or
  • A pleasure craft that has been registered; or
  • A pleasure craft that was purchased less than 90 days previously (this is a grace period, during which the new owner must carry documentation that bears their name, address, and the purchase date).

There are two ways to apply for a Pleasure Craft Licence.

  1. Apply by mail: Print and complete the Application for Pleasure Craft Licence and mail it along with the required documents to:
    Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
    P.O. Box 2006
    Fredericton, New Brunswick
    E3B 5G4
  2. Apply online: Access the Pleasure Craft Electronic Licensing System and follow all instructions.

After you receive your Pleasure Craft Licence document in the mail, you must use it as follows:

  • Carry the Pleasure Craft Licence document on board at all times; and
  • Display the license number on both sides of your boat’s bow. The number must appear in block characters which are:
    • At least 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) high; and
    • In a colour that contrasts with the colour of the bow.

There is a $250 fine if you are found operating a vessel without a Pleasure Craft Licence number.

No. A driver’s permit is not required to operate a powered watercraft but you must carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (and official ID with your date of birth) when operating a powered watercraft.

Non-residents need to obtain a PCOC if they are operating their powered watercraft in Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days or if the boat they are operating is registered or licensed in Canada (this includes rented boats).

Horsepower restrictions for young people can be summarized as follows:

Age Restriction
Under 12 years of age and unsupervised Can operate a boat with under 10 HP (7.5 KW)
12 to 16 years of age and unsupervised Can operate a boat with under 40 HP (30 KW)
Under 16 years of age Not allowed to operate a PWC*
16 years and older No power restrictions

* PWC = Personal water craft (examples: Seadoo, Jet ski)

A PCOC is not yet legally required to operate a rented powerboat but most rental companies now require renters to hold a valid PCOC to rent their boats.

What our satisfied customers are saying about us:

What our satisfied customers are saying about us:

My family is using your web site and I must compliment you! Your site is comprehensive, straightforward to navigate, and provides an excellent presentation of the information we need. You have provided an excellent tool to learn a great deal about safe boating in a convenient, at-home environment. We are so confident in your program that we now have our daughter using your web site. It is our intention to pass on your web site’s co-ordinates to as many boating friends as we can. Congratulations on a well thought out endeavour. We know success will be experienced by all who use your service.

Wayne & Faith Pidskalny, Regina, Saskatchewan

I would like to say that I am really impressed with your program. Your free online training course is excellent and just about as perfect as I can imagine! The review questions after each chapter helped me a lot in confirming I had understood everything. Thanks!

Max Davies

Thank your for the awesome study material. I completed the study material and early this evening I passed the Transport Canada exam at your site. So happy that I can now go out boating with my new license. Thank you again and I will be sending my friends to your website for their boating license.

Colin Huang, Calgary, Alberta

I congratulate you! Your online course was well put together, easy to navigate, at no cost, and offered me the knowledge I need to feel confident on the water. I will highly recommend your course to my family and friends. Great job!

Dolly Neuwald, Montreal, Quebec

As both a competitive and recreational boater, I know that boating safety is very important. The freecourse.ca online study guide and downloadable course manual will give you the knowledge that you need to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Here’s to safe boating!

Anna van der Kamp, Olympic Silver Medalist , 1996 Olympics Women's Eight Crew

Recently I finished your course online and wrote my exam. I would just like to say that this was one of the best learning experiences that I have had in a long time. The course material was well put together and presented, second to none as far as I am concerned. Thanks for this course and your efforts to make the water ways a safer place for my family and myself.

Larry Campbell

I operated a boat as a child 50 years ago and had no idea how much I did not know. I was nervous about studying and taking the test and therefore greatly appreciated your method of studying for free. The amount of boating information you provide is amazing and will not only help me to be a better boater but will help my grandchildren to learn safe boating practices. Although nervous about the test I found it to be easy after thoroughly studying your materials. Thank you.

David Letts

I congratulate you! Your online course was well put together, easy to navigate, at no cost, and offered me the knowledge I need to feel confident on the water. I will highly recommend your course to my family and friends. Great job!

Dolly Neuwald, Montreal, Quebec

Check us out on YouTube

How To Get Your Boating License? FREE Pleasure Craft Operator Card Course + PCOC Test, with Coach Chrispect

E-mail: support@freecourse.ca

Telephone: 1-613-791-4521
Mon – Fri: 10am – 8pm EST
Sat, Sun: 10am – 5pm EST

freecourse.ca is accredited by Transport Canada to deliver boating safety courses and administer tests for the issuance of Pleasure Craft Operator Cards (PCOCs), under the Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations. To verify our accreditation, please click here.

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