Boating and Water Safety Education

Boating and water safety education formats, ranging from introductory courses to formal instruction, are available to boaters.  As a preface for all boaters, the Game and Fish Department advises studying the Boat and Water Safety Regulations Guide to learn about rules of the road and required safety equipment such as life jackets and lights. 

Boat North Dakota (the official department boating course)

The Game and Fish Department offers the Boat North Dakota course for those who are new to boating or who wish to take a refresher.   (The course is required for youth ages 12-15 who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft with at least a 10 horsepower motor). There is no charge for the home-study course and your insurance company may offer a discount on your premium. The course is intended for persons at least 11 1/2 years of age (Note: North Dakota law does not allow a youngster to operate a watercraft until age 12, therefore, a certification card will not be issued until the graduate is 12 years of age). 

• Home Study Course - Free of Charge
  Order a free Boat North Dakota course through the mail. Write Nancy Boldt, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 or call 701-328-6312.
  
  
• Online Course - Cost - See providers listed below for cost.
  The online Boat North Dakota course, unlike the home study version, is not free of charge.  Upon completion of the test and after providing a credit card number, students can print a temporary certification card.  A permanent card will be mailed within 10 days. 
  • Get the online Boat North Dakota course from either of these sources:
    
    
    • Boat North Dakota
      
    • Boater Exam North Dakota
      • Free Boat Navigation Refresher - Many students fail the navigation section of the final exam. Watch this video for helpful instruction.

Formal Boating Safety Classes

Game and fish department outreach personnel stationed around the state are available to assist organizations with formal boating safety classes.  Contact the nearest person below for more information:

• Education and Outreach Office Secretary: 701-328-6615.
• Administrative and Water Safety Coordinator: Nancy Boldt, Bismarck - 701-328-6312.
• Bismarck Region Outreach Biologist: Pat Lothspeich - 701-328-6332.
• Minot Region Outreach Biologist: Greg Gullickson - 701-857-7748.
• Fargo Region Outreach Biologist: Doug Leier - 701-281-1220.
• Grand Forks Region Outreach Biologist: Marty Egeland - 701-739-6982.
• Outreach Supervisor: Chris Grondahl, Bismarck - 701-328-6612.

Kids in Boats

Designed for youngsters ages 7-11, this course teaches safe boating practices, rules of the road, the dangers of hypothermia, and most important -- how life jackets save lives. For more information about Kids in Boats, contact:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices in these cities: Bismarck, 701-255-0015; Jamestown, 701-252-7666; Valley City, 701-845-2970; Fargo, 701-232-1984; and Riverdale, 701-654-7411.
• North Dakota Safety Council, Inc., at 701-223-6372 or 1-800-932-8890.

Wintertime Ice Safety

Safety on Ice - Learn how to tell good from bad ice, minimum thickness for various activities, and rescue techniques.

Order online a replacement hunter education or boater education graduate card.

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