Boating Education In Tennessee
Any Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989 must show the TWRA-issued wallet Boating Safety Education Certificate as proof of successful completion of the TWRA Boating Safety exam.
No other certificate will be accepted as meeting the requirements of the law. The Tennessee mandatory boating education law is similar to the driver’s license law. You acquire the study materials, study, and then take an approved boating safety exam administered by an approved representative of the TWRA
The certification is not required if there is an adult (18 years old or older) on board to take immediate control of the vessel. However this adult, if born after January 1, 1989, must have the boating education certification.
Out of State Boaters
If you were born after January 1, 1989, TWRA will accept any NASBLA approved boating safety certificate.
TWRA Boating Safety Course Information and Locations.
1. Who needs a boating education certification?
If you are a Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989 and operating a boat with more than 8.5 horsepower, then you need the certification.
If you are a non-Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989 and visiting Tennessee and operating a boat with more than 8.5 horsepower, you will need a boating education certification approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
Even if you do not need the certification, by getting one, you may save on your boat insurance.
2. How do I study?
There are many avenues to study:
Study online at https://www.boat-ed.com/tennessee/studyGuide/10104402/
Or request home study materials by emailing lena.nichole.mckee@tn.gov or by calling 615-781-6566 and leaving your name and address.
3. How do I take the exam?
First, you must be at least 12 years old to take the exam. After studying the boating safety material, you must first purchase, for $10.00, a Type 600 boating safety exam permit from any business (license agent) that sells hunting and fishing licenses (WalMart sporting goods, bait stores, marinas, etc.). You will need your social security number and driver license if applicable.
Take this permit to the class/exam as it will be validated when you pass the exam and serve as your temporary certification until the card is mailed to you.
If you do not pass the exam, this permit can continue to be used to take the exam as many times as it takes to pass. Try not to lose it!
4. Where do I find locations of classes and exams?
Log onto https://www.tn.gov/twra/boating/boating-education.html and choose the region where you live. Locations will be posted by county.
5. How long does it take to complete the exam?
Allow approximately one hour to take the exam.
6. How do I replace my lost or stolen boating safety card?
If your boating safety card is lost or stolen, you may purchase a Type 605 Permit from a license agent for $5.00. The duplicate card will be mailed approximately two weeks from purchase date.
7. How long will it take to receive my wallet card?
When you pass the exam, you will receive your wallet card in the mail within a few weeks.
Region 1
*Unless otherwise noted, these are locations to take the exam only. Bring Social Security Number, black pen, and type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit to testing locations. Students can go to any county to take the class or exam.
Benton County
Benton County Library, Camden
Anytime during hours of operation
Carroll County
Carroll County Library/Huntingdon
By appointment only 731-986-1919
Chester County
Chester County Library in Henderson
By appointment only - (731) 989-4673
Crockett County
Crockett Memorial Library in Alamo
By appointment only - (731) 696-4220
Decatur County
Perryville Marina by appointment only
Contact Becky at (731) 847-2444
Decaturville Library
By appointment only - (731) 852-3325
Decatur and Perry County
Mousetail Landing State Park will give the test by appointment only.
Call Mousetail Landing State Park at (731) 847-0841.
Study manuals may be picked up there, Perryville Marina and the Decatur County Court Clerks office.
Dyer County
Newbern City Library
By appointment only - (731) 627-3153
McIver's Grant Library, Dyersburg
By appointment only - (731) 285-5032
Fayette County
Somerville/Fayette Co. Library
By appointment only - (901) 465-5248
Gibson County
Humboldt Public Library
By appointment only - (731) 784-2383
Gibson County
Gibson County Library in Trenton
By appointment only - (731) 855-1991
Gibson County
Mildred G. Fields Library/Milan
By appointment only - (731) 686-8268
Hardeman County
Bolivar Hardeman County Library
By appointment only - (731) 658-3436
Boating Safety Class
October 27, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Hardeman County Rescue Squad
204 Hope Street, Bolivar, TN
Please bring your Type 600 Permit to class
To register used Passcode HCRS
Hardin County
Hardin County Library in Savannah
By appointment only - (731) 925-4314
Haywood County
Elma Ross Public Library
By appointment only - (731) 772-9534
Henderson County
Everett Horn Library/Lexington
By appointment only, call (731) 968-3239
Henry County
W. G. Rhea Public Library in Paris
By appointment only - (731) 642-1702
Houston County
Houston County Public Library in Erin
By appointment only - (931) 289-3858
Humphreys County Public Library/Waverly
By appointment only - (931) 296-2143
Humphreys County
Humphreys County Public Library
By appointment only - (931) 296-2143
Lake County
Tiptonville Public Library
By appointment only - (731) 253-7391
Lauderdale County
Lauderdale County Library/Ripley
by appointment only - 731-635-1872
Madison County
TWRA Region 1 Office, 200 Lowell Thomas Dr. in Jackson
By Appointment only, please call (731) 423-5725
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
McNairy County
Jack McConnico Memorial Public Library
Selmer, TN
By appointment only - (731) 645-5571
Irving Meer Jr. Public Library
Adamsville, TN
By appointment only - (731) 632-3572
Obion County
Union City Library
By appointment only - (731) 885-7000
Perry County
Shelby County
Exams will be administered at the Bartlett Hunter Education Range Facility (3200 Brother Blvd.) during regular business hours.
Hours: Sunday (1:00 PM - 6:00 PM), Tuesday (12:00 PM - 9:00 PM), Thursday (11:00 AM - 9:00 PM), and Saturday (9:00 AM - 4:30 PM).
Closed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Bring Social Security Number.
The Boating Safety Exam Permit (Type 600) is sold at the facility for $10. Cash Only. (901) 213-3124.
Stewart County
Stewart County Public Library in Dover
By appointment only - (931) 232-3127
Tipton County
Tipton County Library in Covington
By appointment only - (901) 476-8289
Munford Memorial Library
By appointment only, call (901) 837-2665
Weakley County
Ned R. McWherter Library in Dresden
By appointment only - (731) 364-2678
Sharon Public Library
Call for an appointment-731-456-2707
Dr. Nathan Porter Memorial Library, Greenfield
Call for an appointment - (731) 235-9932
Region 2
*Unless otherwise noted, these are locations to take the exam only. Bring Social Security Number, black pen, and type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit to testing locations. Students can go to any county to take the class or exam.
Bedford County
Argie Cooper Public Library in Shelbyville
By appointment only - (931) 684-7323
Cannon County
Dr. and Mrs. J. F. Adams Memorial Library 212 College Street/Woodbury
By appointment only - (615) 563-5861
Cheatham County
South Cheatham Public Library
358 N. Main, Kingston Springs
Call for an appointment (615) 952-4752
Coffee County
Manchester Public Library
By appointment only (931) 723-5143
Davidson County
Bellevue Library
720 Baugh Rd.
Call for an appointment – 615-862-5854
Bring type 600 exam permit
Hermitage Public Library
3700 James Kay LN
Call for an appointment-615-880-3951 or email Emily.talbot@nashville.gov
Bring type 600 exam permit
Boating Class
January 12, 8 a.m.
Music City Center
Show Office Hall C
Please bring your Type 600 Permit to class
To register use Passcode NBS12
Boating Class
January 11, 5:30 p.m.
Music City Center
Show Office Hall C
Please bring your Type 600 Permit to class
To register use passcode NBS11
Dickson County
Test Only
By appointment only
Call David Nickens – 615-504-6998
Franklin County
Franklin County Library in Winchester
By appointment only - (931) 967-3706
Giles County
Giles County Library
By appointment only (931) 363-2720
Hickman County
By Appointment Only
Dave Anderson (931) 729-5615
Lawrence County
Test only
Call Mr. Waldrop at (931) 629-3753 to make an appointment
Lewis County
By appointment only
Contact Clint Newton – (615) 856-9741
Lincoln County
Fayetteville/Lincoln Co. Public Library 306 Elk Ave. N
By appointment only - (931) 433-3286
Marshall County
Marshall Co. Library/Lewisburg
Call for an appointment - (931) 359-3335
Maury County
Spring Hill Public Library
Internet Testing
By appointment only - (931) 486-2932
Maury Co. Library
8th St.-Columbia
By appointment only – 931-375-6508
Montgomery County
Clarksville Montgomery County Public Library (350 Pageant Lane)
Exams given anytime during library business hours.
Moore County
Moore County Library in Lynchburg
By appointment only (931) 759-7285
Robertson County
Gorham MacBane Library, Springfield
Anytime Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday - 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Subject to computer availability
White House Library
105B College St.
By appointment – (615) 672-0239
Rutherford County
Smyrna Public Library
400 Enon Springs Rd. W
By appointment only (615) 459-4884
Linebaugh Public Library in Murfreesboro
By appointment only (615) 893-4131 ext. 117
Smith County
Gordonsville Branch Library
By appointment only - (615) 683-8063
Smith County Public Library
By appointment only - (615) 735-1326
Sumner County
White House Library
105B College St.
By appointment – (615) 672-0239
Gallatin Public Library
By appointment only – (615) 452-1722
Hendersonville Public Library
By appointment only – (615)-824-0656
Trousdale County
Fred A. Vaught Public Library in Hartsville
By appointment only - (615) 374-3677
Williamson County
Bethesda Public Library
By appointment only - (615) 790-1887
Brentwood Public Library
By appointment only - (615) 371-0090
Fairview Public Library
By appointment only - (615) 224-6087
Library in Franklin, TN
By appointment only - (615) 595-1243
Study books available at the library
Leipers Fork Public Library
By appointment only (615) 794-7019
Nolensville Public Library
By appointment only - (615) 776-5490
Wilson County
Mt. Juliet Public Library
Please call for an appointment at (615) 758-7051.
Region 3
*Unless otherwise noted, these are locations to take the exam only. Bring Social Security Number, black pen, and type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit to testing locations. Students can go to any county to take the class or exam.
Bledsoe County
Bledsoe County Public Library/Pikeville
Call for an appointment - (423) 447-2817
Bradley County
Cleveland Public Library
Call for an appointment - (423) 472-2163
Clay County
Dale Hollow Outdoors
Call for appointment - Tuesday-Saturday - (931) 243-6918
Celina Public Library
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. Saturday 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Cumberland County
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Office in Crossville
By appointment only - (931) 484-9571
Art Circle Public Library
Crossville --Call for an appointment – 931-484-6790
Dekalb County
Justin Potter Library - Smithville
By appointment only - (615) 597-4359
Fentress County
Fentress County Public Library in Jamestown
By appointment only - (931) 879-7512
Grundy County
May Justus Library in Monteagle
By appointment only - (931) 924-2638
Hamilton County
Test Only
By appointment only
Call David Maul - 423-877-5455
Signal Mountain
By appointment - call Bob Wagner - (423) 886-2420
UT-Chattanooga
By appointment – utctestingcenter@utc.edu or 423-425-5305
Facility fee $25
Bring $10 Type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit to test
Chattanooga State Community College
By appointment leanders.burns@chattanoogastate.edu or cheryl.byrd@chattanoogastate.edu
Facility fee $25
Bring $10 Type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit to test
Jackson County
Marion County
Jasper Public Library
By appointment only
(423) 942-3369
Orena Humphreys Public Library
Whitwell
Call for an appointment – (423) 658-6134
Beene Pearson Public Library
South Pittsburg
Call for an appointment – (423) 837-6513
McMinn County
Etowah Carnegie Library
By appointment only (423) 263-9475
E. G. Fisher Public Library in Athens
By appointment only - (423) 745-7782
Meigs County
Meigs County Library in Decatur
By appointment only - (423) 334-3332
Monroe County
Madisonville Public Library
call for an appointment (423) 442-4085
Morgan County
Sunbright Public Library
By appointment only (423) 628-2439
Wartburg Public Library
By appointment only (423) 346-2479
Overton County
Millard Oakley Library/Livingston
By appointment only - (931) 403-1888
Pickett County
Pickett County Library in Byrdstown
By appointment only - (931) 864-6281
Polk County
Copper Basin High School
Call for appointment – (423) 496-3291, ask for library
Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park
By appointment only - call Travis England (423) 263-0050
Putnam County
Putnam County Library
By appointment only (931) 526-2416
Monterey Branch Library
By appointment only (931) 839-2103
Rhea County
Clyde W. Roddy Library in Dayton
By appointment only - (423) 775-8406
Audrey Pack Library in Spring City
By appointment only - (423) 365-9757
Roane County
Kingston Public Library
By appointment only - (865) 376-9905
Van Buren County
Call Clint for dates, locations, times - (931) 946-3335
Warren County
Magness Memorial Library in McMinnville
By appointment only – (931) 473-2428
White County
White County Public Library/Sparta
Call for appointment - (931) 836-3613
Region 4
*Unless otherwise noted, these are locations to take the exam only. Bring Social Security Number, black pen, and type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit to testing locations. Students can go to any county to take the class or exam.
Anderson County
Lake City Library
By appointment only - (865) 426-6762
Blount County
Blount County Public Library in Maryville
Call for appointment (865) 982-0981ext 3
Bring type 600 exam permit
Campbell County
LaFollette Public Library
By appointment only - (423) 562-5154
Carter County
Elizabethton Carter County Public Library
Call for an appointment (423) 547-6360
Claiborne County
Claiborne County Library in Tazewell
Call for an appointment (423) 626-5414
Cocke County
Stokely Memorial Library - Newport
By appointment only - (423) 623-3832
Greene County
Mosheim Public Library
By appointment only (423) 422-7937
Grainger County
Testing by appointment
Call 865-300-1755
Hamblen County
Morristown Library
Call (423) 586-6410 for an appointment.
Must have or obtain a Hamblen County library card
to take the exam at this location.
Hawkins County
Mt. Carmel Public Library
By appointment only (423) 357-4011
Church Hill Library
By appointment only - (423) 357-4591
H. B. Stamps Memorial Library in Rogersville
By appointment only - (423) 272-8710
Jefferson County
Jefferson City Public Library
By appointment only - (865) 475-9094
White Pine Public Library
By appointment only - (865) 674-6313
Dandridge Memorial Library - 1235 Circle Drive
By appointment only - (865) 397-9758
Parrott-Wood Memorial Library
By appointment only - (865) 933-1311
Johnson County
Mountain City Library
By appointment only - (423) 727-6544
Knox County
Boating Safety Class
John Sevier Hunter Education Center - 2327 Rifle Range Road, Knoxville
4th Tuesday of each month (6:00 - 9:00 PM)
Bring Type 600 Type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit with you to the class.
Loudon County
Tellico Village Public Library in Loudon
Testing available Monday-Friday.
$10.00 Fee
Call Carol Deforest for an appointment at (865) 458-5199.
Roane County
Scott County
Oneida Public Library
By appointment only (423) 569-8634
Sevier County
Anna Porter Public Library in Gatlinburg
Please call for an appointment – (865) 436-5588
Pigeon Forge Public Library
By appointment only (865) 429-7490
Sullivan County
Sullivan County Library in Blountville
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(423) 279-2714
Thomas Memorial Library in Bluff City
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bloomingdale Library in Kingsport
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Bristol Public Library
Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sullivan Gardens Library in Kingsport
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Colonial Heights Library in Kingsport
Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Unicoi County
Unicoi County Public Library in Erwin
Call for an appointment - (423) 743-6533
Union County
Union County High School
Testing offered only during regular school year
By appointment only, Contact John Fugate at (865) 992-0180.
Washington County
Johnson City Public Library
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Closed Sunday
(423) 434-4454
Jonesborough Library
By appointment only - (423) 753-1800
Gray Library
By appointment only - (423) 477-1550