Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Quick Answer:
If you lost your Texas Boater Education Certificate (“boating license”), you do not need to retake the course. To replace it:
Go to Texas “Am I Certified?” lookup portal
Enter first name, last name, DOB
Download and print your certificate instantly
If lookup fails → contact TPWD or your original course provider for reissue
Digital replacements are accepted in Texas while operating.
You need a replacement if your original certificate was lost, stolen, damaged, or never received.
Texas requires proof of completion for operators born on or after September 1, 1993 when operating certain motorized vessels.
The certificate is valid for life and does not expire, so replacement does not require any new coursework.
Texas maintains a centralized boater education database used by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Once your course completion is recorded, a replacement simply involves retrieving your record and downloading your certificate.
Use the TPWD “Am I Certified?” online lookup.
You will need:
First name (as originally entered)
Last name
Date of birth
Common lookup edge cases:
Nicknames vs. legal names
Hyphens or compound last names
Maiden names
Parents registering minors with parent email
Once the record matches:
Download the digital certificate (PDF)
Print a physical copy if desired
Texas enforcement accepts digital certificates displayed on a phone.
If the certificate contains incorrect personal information (e.g., misspelled name or incorrect DOB), TPWD or the original course provider can issue a corrected version. Documentation may be required for substantial changes.
Digital replacement: generally no fee
Physical card (optional): provider-specific (commonly $5–$10)
Fulfillment: instant digital issuance
No police report or administrative affidavit is required for stolen cards.
If “Am I Certified?” returns no match, the most common causes are:
Record pre-dates full digitization
Record entered under a parent/guardian
Course taken from an out-of-state provider
Different name spellings at time of enrollment
Resolution paths:
Contact TPWD’s boater education department
Contact your original course provider for lookup and reissue
While operating in Texas waters, boaters must carry proof of boater education physically or digitally. Enforcement officers can request to view the certificate during stops or inspections.
Texas certificates are generally recognized in other states with boater education reciprocity (not universal but common).
Replacing the boater education certificate is separate from replacing:
Boat registration
Registration decals
Boat titles
Those are handled through TPWD’s vessel registration/title process and involve different forms and fees.
Do I need to retake the course if I lost my certificate?
No. Replacement does not require retesting.
Will Texas mail me a new card?
Only if requested through a course provider and subject to provider fees.
Can I show my certificate on my phone?
Yes. Texas accepts digital proof while operating.
Can minors replace their certificate?
Yes. Minors can retrieve their certificate through the same lookup process.
Is a stolen certificate a security risk?
No. It is not a state-issued ID and holds no identity value.
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.
