FAQ: The Online Boating Exam
Writing the Safe Boater™ Exam? We Have the Answers!
Our complete study guide can provide you with all the background information you need to answer and pass the Safe Boater™ Exam and receive your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Below are answers to common questions regarding the Safe Boater™ Exam, boating laws and regulations, and additional information regarding the Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
Q. Is the Internet Exam recognized by Transport Canada?
A. The online Safe Boating Exam offered by BoaterExam.com® is recognized by Transport
Canada and meets all requirements outlined by the Office of Boating Safety concerning Internet testing and The Competency of Operators of Pleasure
Craft Regulations.
Q. Where can I take the online test?
A. You can take the test anywhere as long as it's not taken at the test-taker’s home residence. Most people take the test at work, at their
Supervisor's home, at a friend's or neighbour's, or at a family member’s home.
Q. How does one go about getting their Card online?
A. The steps to get your Pleasure Craft Operator Cardover the Internet are as follows:
- Register and pay for your exam;
- Ask someone to Supervise your exam;
- Take the exam;
- Print your temporary card;
- Wait for your permanent card to arrive 2 weeks later.
Q. What is a supervisor and why do I need one?
A. Transport Canada regulations require that all Internet exams be supervised. An exam supervisor is a person who acts as a witness to your exam
and ensures that no cheating is taking place. Simply ask a friend, neighbour, or co-worker who is the age of majority and not related to you to
register as your supervisor. Supervisor registration is free and the supervisor
does not need their Pleasure Craft Operator Card to supervise exams.
Q. Who can be a supervisor?
A. The supervisor can be someone you know as long as they are not related to you and are of the age of majority. Simply ask a friend, neighbour,
or co-worker to register as your supervisor.
Q. How much does the boater exam cost?
A. The cost of the exam is $49.95 + Tax . This fee includes the exam and the card mailed to your home. There is
no cost to retry the exam, if required. All the training material is available for free in our training
section.
Q. How do I pay for the exam?
A. The easiest payment method is to pay directly online using credit card or PayPal. We accept VISA, Mastercard, and American Express credit cards.
If you prefer not to pay online, you may also pay by cheque or money order, or pay with your credit card over the phone by calling 1-866-688-2628.
Q. What is a Pre Paid Access Code?
A. Pre Paid Access Codes are special vouchers or gift certificates that allow access to one online exam. These codes can be purchased at our promotion
kiosk at various boat shows across Canada.
Q. How many questions are on the exam?
A. The boater’s exam consists of 36 multiple-choice questions.
Q. Is the exam timed?
A. Yes, there is a 45-minute time limit on the exam.
Q. What is the passing grade?
A. The passing grade is 75%, or 27 correct answers out of 36 questions.
Q. What happens if I fail the exam?
A. You can retry the exam FREE of charge once per calendar day.
Q. What are the technical requirements?
A. The minimum requirements to access the online exam are:
- Browsers: Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, Firefox 2.0 or higher, Google Chrome 2.0, Safari 4.0, Opera 9.64;
- Javascript and Flash enabled;
- An 800 x 600-screen resolution, and a stable dial-up connection.
While the dictionary defines "Vessel" as a craft, Transport Canada wants us to clarify what is meant by this word. We mean small vessel, water craft used for pleasure, personal watercraft, ark, powered gondola or powered kayak, sailboat with power, argosy, motorboat, skiff - or we could just say - boat.
