The General Assembly has approved legislation making it more accessible and convenient for Tennesseans to obtain a boating safety certificate.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The General Assembly has approved legislation making it more accessible and convenient for Tennesseans to obtain a boating safety certificate.
House Bill 530, sponsored by State Rep. Rick Eldridge, R-Morristown, allows citizens to take the boating safety exam online by eliminating the monitoring requirement. Currently, citizens are required to take the test in-person, typically at a local library, under the supervision of a proctor.
“Online testing expands access for rural Tennesseans who may not have a testing location nearby and provides a flexible solution for those who work during standard business hours,” Eldridge said. “This added flexibility encourages more citizens to obtain a boating license and provides convenience for those required to have a license, ultimately making Tennessee’s waterways safer for everyone.”
Tennessee law requires anyone operating a personal watercraft or motorboat born after Jan. 1, 1989, to have a boating safety education certificate issued by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) or if they are visiting from out of state, a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety certificate.
Once in effect, citizens will complete an online boating safety exam approved by the NASBLA and then be issued a certificate from TWRA as proof of completion.
The TWRA plans to add the link to the online course on their website once the bill is signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee in the coming weeks.
Classes will still be provided by TWRA as needed for those who prefer to take the exam in-person. A calendar of class dates can be found on their website here.
This bill also allows the TWRA commission to set the fees for the issuance of boating safety certificates and replacement cards, either must not exceed $15.
House Bill 530 is heading to Gov. Lee’s desk and will take effect immediately upon his signature.
Rick Eldridge represents District 10 which includes Grainger and part of Hamblen Counties.
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