The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit is pleased to announce the return of our free mandatory Boater Education card proctored examination, as well as a pre-season opportunity to have your motorized boat inspected. Oregon law requires Oregon residents 16 years of age and older who operate powered boats of more than 10 horsepower, to obtain their Mandatory Boater Education card. Failure to have a card under the above conditions might result in a $142 fine. This card is not a license to operate a boat, as there is no such requirement in Oregon. Once a boater receives their card, it never has to be renewed. There is a one-time $20 cost to receive your card and duplicate cards are available for $16.
Boat operators can also access the testing material and take the test on-line through the Oregon State Marine Board website, but there is generally a fee associated with the test and receiving a certificate. Exam participants will be shown an informational video prior to the proctored examination and will have an opportunity to ask questions. Additional exam preparation material can be found on the Oregon State Marine Board web site under “Study Guide”. A 75-question multiple choice test will be given; a minimum score of 70% is needed to pass. The tests are graded upon completion; necessary paperwork and information on how to receive their card from the Oregon State Marine Board will be given.
The following is the schedule of classes for 2024. All exams run from 9am-12pm and are held at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office in Bend (63333 Hwy 20 West). There is no sign up or registration for the exam, but please arrive a few minutes prior to the start of the class to check in. For additional information, go to www.sheriff.deschutes.org, or boat-ed.com/oregon/ or contact the Sheriff’s Office at 541-388-6501.
2024 Class Dates: May 11th, June 8th, July 13th and August 24th
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will also be providing an opportunity for boaters to have their boats inspected at three different locations in Deschutes County. The inspections will be offered on April 13th, 2024, at Big Country RV in Redmond, the Main Sheriff’s Office parking lot in Bend and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office substation in La Pine. DCSO Marine Deputies and Volunteers will be present at the above locations on April 13th, between the hours of 9am-2pm.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 193 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.
