Boating Education Requirements

Looking for more information? Education Resources Visit NDOW's Boating section

Boaters born on or after January 1, 1983 must complete a boater education course, approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators to operate a boat with more than a 15-horsepower motor on Nevada's interstate waters, including Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Topaz Lake.

Most boating accidents can be avoided if a boater knows the rules of the road and basic boating skills. Boating is not a natural skill, and just about any boater can improve his or her boating skills by taking a boating education course. In an effort to reduce boating accidents and fatalities, Nevada has recently passed new regulations mandating boater education for some Nevadans.

Taking the boating safety course will teach you about boating safety and Nevada boating laws, and may also make you eligible for a discount on your boat or personal watercraft insurance.

Boating Education classes are offered throughout Nevada, via correspondence, or online. Scroll down or simply click on a link below to go to the area of interest.

• What You'll Need to Know
• Classes by Mail or Online
• Western Nevada
• Southern Nevada
• Eastern Nevada

What You'll Need to Know

Online Boating Education Handbook:
Review Nevada Boating Laws online. This publication provides boaters with information ranging from boating basics, laws and regulations to equipment checklists and more handy information.

Individuals interested in taking the online course study the online education handbook and to take the online practice test first, before official test.

Correspondence Courses

Take a boating safety course by studying at home and receive your official State of Nevada boater safety certificate! You can request that a boating education correspondence course be mailed to you at no charge from the Nevada Department of Wildlife by calling (775) 688-1548. You can also pick up boating education books at your regional NDOW office.

The Boat Nevada Practice Test
The Practice Exam test just how knowledgeable you are about boating safety in Nevada. It is highly recommended that you take this test before proceeding to the actual Boat Nevada Exam.

Online Course

The NDOW correspondence course is also available online for a $20 fee. After completing the online study course and the practice exam, you can proceed to take the exam for certification.

The certification exam will require a non-refundable payment of $20.00, payable by a valid credit card which will be collected via a secure transaction. using Verisign Secure Server Digital ID. Therefore, if you have not yet successfully passed the Practice Test, you should do so now, before taking this exam, to insure that you have adequately mastered the boater safety material.

 

 

Western Nevada Boating Education

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Sierra Division 11N
North Lake Tahoe Flotilla 11-01
(530) 583-9304 Jerry Pearlman
pearljb@yahoo.com

Reno Flotilla 11-03
(775) 852-5557
http://www.renocgaux.org
Note: Holds classes normally on the first Saturday of each even month, which are open to the public. There is a fee for the 8-hour course. Classes are held at the training room at IGT. Call the above number for further information or to sign up.

South Lake Tahoe Flotilla 11-04
Flotilla11-04@sbcglobal.net

Carson City Flotilla 11-05
(775) 852-5557
Note: Holds classes with Flotilla 11-03

 

---

Southern Nevada Boating Education

The Las Vegas Sail and Power Squadron
Dick Roush, Education Officer
702-877-0926

Several boating courses are offered throughout the year that are open the general public that meet Nevada’s education requirement. To find out the next scheduled class, contact Robert Reynolds, Education Officer at (702) 564-6008.

Las Vegas Coast Guard Auxiliary
http://www.uscgaux-lasvegas.org
(702) 247-6150

The Las Vegas Coast Guard Auxiliary also offers courses regularly. Find out where and when courses are scheduled by calling the number above or visiting their web site.

---

Eastern Nevada and Rural Areas Boating Education

There are no regularly offered courses through the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron in Nevada’s rural counties. However, courses can be scheduled at individuals request through the Department of Wildlife as needed. Contact Edwin Lyngar at (775) 688-1548 or elyngar@ndow.org.