Example of Florida’s enhanced Gold-style Boating Safety ID Card. Boat Lessons does not issue this card after you complete an approved knowledge course and NSBC on-water documentation, you apply through NASBLA.
On-water training aligned with the NASBLA EDU-1 On-Water Power Standard.
Two Florida credentials (don’t mix them up)
1. Standard Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (FWC) Required for many operators born on or after January 1, 1988 who run a boat with 10 horsepower or more. Comes from a NASBLA-approved knowledge course. Valid for life. Not a boating license. 2. Gold / Enhanced Boating Safety Card (NASBLA ERBC pilot) Optional enhanced credential. Requires:- Proof of your Florida Boating Safety Certificate (knowledge course), and
- Documentation from an NSBC On-Water Training Program, and
- A photo credential, and
- A short NASBLA application and $25 nonrefundable NASBLA administrative fee (FWC does not charge for the Gold Card)
NSBC on-water training and Florida’s Gold Boating Safety Card
Boat Lessons on-water instruction follows National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) standards. Captain Rick is an instructor trainer for the NSBC, and our captains provide NSBC On-Water Training Program documentation when your lesson plan is set up for that pathway. That documentation is one of the two pieces NASBLA requires for Floridas Gold Boating Safety Card (Enhanced Recreational Boating Certificate). The other is proof of a Florida-approved knowledge course. After you have both, you apply through NASBLA Boat Lessons does not issue the Gold Card. Learn more on NASBLAs ERBC page: https://www.nasbla.org/training/erbcHow Boat Lessons fits
- Knowledge course — Complete a Florida-approved boating safety education course. Online options may be available through our partnership with Mariners Learning System; the course provider issues the knowledge-course certificate, not Boat Lessons.
- On-water training — Book private on-water instruction with Boat Lessons. When arranged for this pathway, our captains provide NSBC On-Water Training Program documentation for your application.
- Apply for the Gold Card — You upload both documents and your photo credential to NASBLA, complete the form, pay the $25 nonrefundable fee, and submit. Applications are complete only after payment. U.S. shipping only. Boat Lessons does not issue the Gold Card; NASBLA does under the Florida pilot.