Information in this guide is based on publicly available data from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), course provider websites, and third-party review platforms. Course approvals, pricing, features, and review data may change. Readers should verify current details directly with TPWD and individual course providers before enrolling.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department approves multiple online boater education courses that meet the state’s mandatory boater education requirements. Each approved course satisfies the same legal requirement and results in a Texas Boater Education Certificate upon successful completion.
All courses listed in this guide appear on TPWD’s official list of approved online boater education providers.
The following online boater safety courses are approved by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department:
Each provider delivers the required curriculum and results in the official Texas Boater Education Certificate.
| Course Provider | Star Rating* | Price (Provider + State Fee) | Rating Source | Price Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recademics | 4.9 ★ (Google Reviews) | $29.99 + $10.00 = $39.99 | Google Reviews | TPWD approved course list |
| Boat-Ed (Texas) | 4.8 ★ (Boat-Ed user ratings) | $44.95 + $10.00 = $54.95 | Boat-Ed Reviews | TPWD approved course list |
| BOATERexam | 4.7 ★ (Trustpilot) | $39.95 + $10.00 = $49.95 | Trustpilot | TPWD approved course list |
| BOATsmart! | 4.6 ★ (Google & provider reviews) | $39.95 + $10.00 = $49.95 | Google Reviews | TPWD approved course list |
| BoatUS Foundation | 4.5 ★ (Google reviews) | $1.00 + $10.00 = $11.00 | Google Reviews | TPWD approved course list |
| iLearnToBoat | 4.7 ★ (Shopper Approved / Google) | $59.95 + $10.00 = $69.95 | Shopper Approved | TPWD approved course list |
* Star ratings (and review counts) are pulled from third-party review platforms and may change over time. Prices include a provider fee plus the mandatory $10 Texas Parks & Wildlife Department state fee. Verify current details on the linked sources.
The Texas Recademics Boater Safety Course is built for people who want to get certified without fighting outdated slides, endless text, and boredom. The course uses modern, live-action video instruction and an intuitive, step-by-step flow that makes learning easy. Designed to work seamlessly on desktop or mobile, Recademics keeps the process simple, engaging, and efficient so students can focus on completing the course and getting their official Texas Boater Education Certificate with minimal friction.
Boat-Ed Texas provides a dynamic learning experience with hundreds of real-life boating videos and interactive animations. The course is divided into short, easy-to-digest segments, with frequent “learning checks” to reinforce your understanding.
Source: TPWD Website
BOATERexam offers an interactive learning experience designed for visual learners. The course features a fully narrated and animated study guide, over 40 interactive exercises, and more than 400 detailed illustrations to help you retain key concepts. Each exam question includes visual aids to ensure a clear understanding.
The BOATsmart! Texas boating safety course is fully narrated and features animated lessons to make learning fun and effective. Designed to help you retain the essential knowledge for safe boating, this course ensures a smooth learning experience.
iLearnToBoat offers a one-of-a-kind, fully interactive boater safety course built around real-life scenarios. This immersive experience lets you guide your avatar through various boating challenges, make decisions, and complete in-game tasks to progress to the next level—all designed to prepare you for safe and confident boating.
The BoatUS Foundation offers a budget-friendly online boating safety course to help you earn your boater certification card. The course features animations that illustrate critical navigation rules and videos that demonstrate the proper use of safety equipment like visual distress signals, fire extinguishers, and life jackets.
All TPWD-approved courses share the following characteristics:
Meet Texas mandatory boater education requirements
Are approved by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Result in a Texas Boater Education Certificate upon completion
Are accepted statewide for legal vessel operation
Require the same state fee
Course selection does not affect the legal validity of the certification.
