Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Quick Answer
If you lost your Hawaii Boater Education Card, you have several options: re-download it from your course provider’s website, contact your provider for a replacement, or reach out to DOBOR for a free replacement card if you are registered in the Certified Boater Registry. You do not need to retake the course.
For more about the Hawaii boating certification, visit the Hawaii Boating License.
Losing your Boater Education Card does not mean you need to retake the entire boating safety course. Your completion record exists with both your course provider and, if you registered, with DOBOR. There are three main paths to getting a replacement.
If you completed your course online, log back into your account on the provider’s website. Most providers, including Recademics, allow you to re-download your digital certificate at any time. Check your email for your original account confirmation — search for keywords like “certification,” “completion,” “boating,” or “course” to find it.
If you cannot access your online account, contact the course provider’s customer support team. They maintain records of all completions and can reissue your certificate. If you want a new physical card, the provider may charge a small replacement fee (typically around $15).
If you previously registered with the Hawaii Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) Certified Boater Registry, DOBOR can create and mail a new card to you at no charge. Contact the DOBOR Boating Safety Education Specialist, Renee Silberstein, at boating.safety@hawaii.gov or call (808) 587-0133. If you haven’t received your card within two weeks, follow up using the same contact information.
If you took the course years ago and cannot remember or locate your original provider, contact DOBOR first. If you are in their registry, they can issue a replacement directly. If you are not in the registry and cannot locate your provider, you may unfortunately need to retake an approved boating safety course to obtain a new certificate.
To avoid this situation in the future, register with the DOBOR Certified Boater Registry at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/certified-boater-registry/. Registration is free and creates a permanent state-level record of your certification. This serves as an official backup that makes future replacements simple and free.
Your digital Boater Education Card (PDF or image saved to your phone) is legally valid proof of completion in Hawaii. You are not required to carry a physical plastic card. However, if you prefer a durable waterproof card for on-the-water conditions, most providers offer one for an additional fee. Either format satisfies the legal requirement to carry proof of boating safety education while operating a vessel.
Hawaii law requires you to carry proof of boating safety education certification on board while operating a vessel. If you cannot produce proof during an enforcement stop, you may be cited. While waiting for a replacement, consider checking your email for a digital copy, logging into your course provider account, or contacting DOBOR for verification. Having any form of backup — even a screenshot — is better than having nothing.
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Recademics is a nationally recognized provider of outdoor recreation safety education, offering online certification courses for boating, hunter education, bowhunter education, off-highway vehicles (OHV/off-road), snowmobiles, and personal watercraft (PWC). Our courses are built around nationally established standards and regulatory frameworks, with alignment to NASBLA (boater education) and IHEA-USA (hunter and bowhunter education).
We currently have more than 26 state-approved courses issued directly by state agencies across the United States, including approvals in Texas, New York, Florida, California, Georgia, Alabama plus many more & with additional states pending. Every course is developed and maintained by subject-matter specialists, instructional designers, and state-reviewing authorities to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a high-quality learning experience.
Recademics focuses on clear instruction, accuracy, and straightforward pathways to certification for outdoor enthusiasts across multiple disciplines. Our goal is simple: make it easier to get certified, stay compliant, and enjoy the outdoors with confidence.
