Beyond the Hunt: Top Picks for a Texas Boater Safety Course Online
Many Texas hunters who take our online hunter safety courses use boats to carry out their hunting endeavors, especially those who love hunting waterfowl.
As avid outdoor enthusiasts, many hunters also enjoy boating and fishing during the warm summer months – often as they await the next hunting season(s) for their game of choice.
Like Texas hunting safety laws, boating laws help keep boaters safe when they take to Texas water. Texas requires all operators 13 years of age or older, born after Sept.1, 1993, who will be operating a boat powered by a motor of over 15 hp, a personal watercraft, or a windblown vessel over 14 feet long to receive Texas NASBLA-approved boating education.
Several boater safety courses are available in Texas. We've put together a list of our favorites to help you find the best fit.
Top Three U.S. Boater Safety Courses for Boaters in Texas
It's important to note that these recommended courses are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, and approved by Texas Parks & Wildlife.
That means no matter which course you pick, you'll receive a state-approved safety certification after you pass the exam. You'll also have the knowledge you need to boat safely every season, whether you get out on the water for fun during the summer or use a boat to hunt ducks.
Whichever course you pick, enjoy a safe boating adventure!
ilearntoboat
ilearntoboat is the first interactive Boater Safety Course available in the marketplace.
In addition to an online version for desktop and laptop computers, ilearntoboat is available on iOS and Android – a first of its kind.
One thing that immediately stands out about ilearntoboat is its uniqueness. This immersive, gamified course is built around real-life scenarios. Students choose their avatar and dynamically move through the course, with their ultimate path decided by the choices they make throughout the experience.
Of course, you receive state-required and approved boater safety education throughout your journey.
Boat-Ed
A sister course to Hunter-Ed, Boat-Ed is the most widely approved boater safety course available online. With approvals in 49 US states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, it's the No. 1 online boater safety course on the market.
Boat-Edd is available online and can be taken on any device, including smartphones and tablets. The course content includes live-action, high-definition (HD) videos featuring professional educators. The course is livened up with entertaining storylines, and it uses up-to-date scenarios to educate students on the most current, relevant, and safe boating practices.
Additionally, the Boat-Ed dashboard allows students to save their progress and resume the course at their own pace, providing flexibility. The student dashboard also features student perks from Boat-Ed's growing list of brand partners, which offer valuable savings.
BOATERexam
A fan favorite for Canadians and U.S. boaters, BOATERexam has helped more than two million people get their boater safety certificate online.
Currently available in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, BOATERexam is one of the most widely approved boater safety education courses, second only to Boat-Ed.
Like Boat-Ed, the BOATERexam course is optimized for use on desktop, laptop, and smartphone computers, providing convenience for on-the-go students. Plus, its content is highly visual, with every exam question accompanied by an illustration to help students better recall information from the course curriculum.
In addition to the illustrations, the BOATERexam course is enhanced by hundreds of engaging videos and animations.
Hunt and Boat Safely with Online Courses
We want you to be safe, no matter the outdoor activities you pursue. While Hunter-Ed has you covered for Texas state-approved hunting education courses, you'll want to choose a boater safety course to comply with state regulations and to stay safe on the water.
Any of the courses we highlighted today comply with state requirements and provide the information boaters need to enjoy the water safely. So, choose a boater safety course online and enjoy the outdoors!
Originally published October 18, 2022. Content updated June 4, 2024.
