July 7, 2026

By John Gullick 

I often get asked if the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is accepted in the U.S. and I think my answer might be of interest. The answer is not a simple one.

The CanBoat’s PCOC course has recently been reviewed to ensure that our PCOC course continues to meet NASBLA’s (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) required learning points, including items related to the U.S. Homeland Security. CanBoat and NASBLA have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that recognizes the CanBoat PCOC course and that was signed over 15 years ago. 

As a result, CanBoat is permitted to carry the NASBLA recognition logo on its PCOC. NASBLA will also encourage all U.S. States to recognize our PCOC. 

Does this mean that the CanBoat PCOC is the only Canadian PCOC that will be recognized in the U.S.?  

The answer to this question is no. Operator Competency in the U.S. is a State responsibility and individual State enforcement officers may, or may not choose to recognize Canadian PCOCs, especially when a Canadian boater is operating a U.S. registered or licensed boat.  

NASBLA also signed a MOU with the Canadian Coast Guard in 1999 which it revised with Transport Canada in 2009 to recognize the Canadian PCOC. 

Canadian boaters operating a Canadian Vessel in U.S. waters have up to 60 days continuous before they need to meet U.S. Federal and State requirements.  

Because the CanBoat PCOC is recognized by NASBLA and carries a NASBLA recognition statement they should be recognized and accepted in every U.S. State and Territory regardless of whether or not the boater is operating a Canadian or U.S. vessel. 

However, I advise that anyone who is going to operate a vessel in U.S. waters check first with the individual State(s) where they plan to boat. You can find the contact information for every States Boating Law Administrators Office on-line. 

U.S. enforcement officers may choose not to recognize or accept other PCOCs that do not carry this official NASBLA recognition. On the other hand, they may also choose to accept any Canadian PCOC if they so wish, especially if boaters are operating responsibly. Visit: https://www.nasbla.org/home 

PCOC replacement cards? 

Regarding the replacement of PCOC cards, every Transport Canada Approved PCOC Provider is responsible for replacing the PCOC cards that they have issued. If you can’t remember the name of the Provider that issued your card, you can go to Transport Canada’s Boating Safety info line 1 800 267 6687. They can access TC’s national data base and be able to tell you which Approved Provider issued your PCOC and then you can contact that Provider.  

Order Replacements for PCOC and ROC-M HERE. CanBoat Members save 20%. 

By John Gullick, currently CanBoat’s Manager of Government and Special Programs and has been an active recreational marine specialist and writer for over 50 years. 

All articles are free for use to promote boating and water safety. Credit must be provided to CanBoat / NautiSavoir and author John Gullick.