Canada
- Who issues it
- Transport Canada; accredited course providers issue Pleasure Craft Operator Cards. Marine radio certification is administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, with ROC-M issuance delegated to Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons.
- Buoyage
- IALA region B
- Collision rules
- Collision Regulations
Do you need a licence?
Yes, you must carry proof of competency for a recreational boat with any motor.
You don't need one for:
- a motorless boat
- a boat in Nunavut
- a boat in the Northwest Territories
Elsewhere, an unsupervised child under 12 may use up to 7.5 kW, and ages 12 to 15 up to 30 kW; higher power needs direct onboard supervision by someone from 16. Personal watercraft operators must be from 16.
Rental Boat Safety Checklist
- What it lets you do
- This is proof of competency for a motor-fitted pleasure craft rented from an agency, only for that rental. Youth power and PWC age restrictions still apply.
- How you get it
- There is no test. Before you operate the boat, you and the rental agency or its representative complete and sign a safety checklist.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Boating Safety Course Completion Card
- What it lets you do
- This is legacy proof for a Canadian boating safety course completed before April 1, 1999; other written proof also qualifies. Youth restrictions still apply.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
- What it lets you do
- This is proof of competency for motor-fitted recreational boats, with no card-specific length, power or distance tiers. Youth restrictions still apply.
- How you get it
- You take a written boating-safety test with 50 questions and need 75% to pass, which is 38 out of 50. It covers rules, equipment, safe operation and emergencies.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificates of competency, training certificates and listed equivalencies
- What it lets you do
- You can carry proof of a marine qualification listed in the regulations instead of a PCOC. Youth power and personal watercraft age restrictions still apply.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
More exam guides
Canadian boat licence (PCOC)
With a PCOC, you can operate a recreational motor-equipped boat in Canadian waters, including a boat with an electric motor, a personal watercraft or a sailboat with auxiliary power. For adults, the PCOC itself does not set a maximum boat length, engine power, offshore distance or daylight limit. It is not required for non-motorized boats or in Nunavut and Northwest Territories waters; youth, local operating and vessel-safety rules still apply.
Professional deck titles
Watchkeeping Mate, Near Coastal / Watchkeeping Mate
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Two certificates: near-coastal watch officer, or watch officer on unlimited voyages, respectively.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master 500 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal
- What it lets you do
- Master up to 500 GT; chief mate up to 3,000 GT, on near-coastal voyages. Master on sheltered waters.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master 3 000 Gross Tonnage, Near Coastal
- What it lets you do
- Master of vessels up to 3,000 GT on near-coastal voyages; master without a tonnage limit on sheltered waters.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Mate, Near Coastal / Chief Mate
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Two certificates: chief mate without a tonnage limit on near-coastal or unlimited voyages, respectively.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master, Near Coastal
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master without a tonnage limit on near-coastal voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master Mariner
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master without a tonnage limit, including unlimited voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Restricted Operator Certificate — Maritime (ROC-M)
- What it lets you do
- Marine radio operator certificate mainly intended for pleasure boaters; valid for life.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Restricted Operator’s Certificate — Maritime Commercial (ROC-MC)
ROC- What it lets you do
- For radio operators on compulsorily fitted commercial ships within North American sea area A1.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
General Operator Certificate (GOC)
GOC- What it lets you do
- GMDSS radio operation on compulsorily fitted vessels in international sea areas.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radiocommunication Operator General Certificate — Maritime (RGMC)
- What it lets you do
- Legacy: reissue may be granted to holders; not valid on compulsorily fitted Canadian ships.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
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Official sources: Transport Canada — Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) · Justice Laws Website — Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations, sections 1–7.1 · Transport Canada — Quality Assurance and Control Requirements for Course Providers, National Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program · Justice Laws Website — Marine Personnel Regulations, sections 100, 123–134 and 212; Schedule 1 to Part 1 · Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — RIC-16: Professional Radio Operator Certificates · Canadian Coast Guard — The Canadian Aids to Navigation System 2023