Dharma Licensing Board Boater Safety Program

The Dharma Licensing Board (DLB) established since 1889, is officially recognized to provide boater safety certification and regulated by the state boating licence agency. These examinations are one part of the assessment process for boaters seeking certification and continuous certification in boater safety. The function of the board is to identify those practicing boaters who are eligible for examination to become certified in boating safety. The examination measures the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a boater in order to make competent judgments in boating safety.

Certification Application

Before scheduling an examination appointment, you must have already:

• submitted all application materials directly to the DLB; and
• received written confirmation from the DLB of exam eligibility and scheduling.
• Selection of Regional Test Site

First-time test takers will receive, via email, a username and password from Pearson VUE. This email notification from Pearson VUE will be sent to the email address provided on your exam application. If the email address you originally provided to the DLB is no longer accurate, you must resolve the discrepancies before you arrive at the test center. Appointments may be made up to one week prior to the exam date.

After you schedule your test, Pearson VUE will send a confirmation letter listing your test date, your testing time, the address and phone number of the test center, and directions to the test center.

Exam Delivery Methods

Dharma Licensing Board currently supports exam delivery through three mechanisms:

1. Test Center based delivery through Pearson VUE’s worldwide network of testing centers.

2. Online Proctoring (OP) allows you to sit the exam at your convenience at a suitable non test centre location, while being watched by a remote invigilator through your webcam. Read more about OP to learn about the process and decide if OP is right for you.

   Note that writing utensils and paper are not allowed during OP exams, but you will have the option to use the inbuilt Online Proctored Whiteboard feature while taking the exam online.

   Note: There are some restrictions to which countries OP is allowed. OP is allowed in all geographies, except the following countries: Slovenia, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and embargoed countries (North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, and Iran).

   If you are uncomfortable with any of the OP requirements, we recommend you schedule an in-person exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center.

3. Anywhere Proctored (AP) allows DLB partners and training institutions to deliver boater safety exams as part of a classroom training package or testing event. Please note these exam sessions are available on an invitation-only basis.

Exam Security and Candidate Agreement

Dharma Licensing Board takes the security of its certification exams seriously and requires all candidates to accept the terms of a Candidate Agreement. By accepting these agreements, candidates agree to the terms and conditions of the Dharma Licensing Board Boater Safety Program, by maintaining the confidentiality of the content of all exams.