1. (1) Course Provider Requirements.

   1. (a) “Course provider” means a school or other sponsoring organization that offers to the public boating safety courses that meet the minimum standards established by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
   2. (b) Each course provider shall ensure that all instructors meet the qualifications set forth in subsection (2).
   3. (c) Course providers should make maximum use of the existing cadre of qualified instructors who have been trained through state boating safety programs, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the United States Power Squadrons, the American National Red Cross, the Young Men’s Christian Association, and other similar public and private boating safety oriented programs.
   4. (d) Each course provider is responsible for maintaining an ongoing quality control program. Course providers should periodically update or recertify their instructors. Quality of instruction will be assured through this means with each course provider, or the course provider’s sponsoring organization, auditing its own program.
   5. (e) Each course provider must teach a course of instruction, the content of which has received the prior approval of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. This approval is valid for three years. Each course provider or its sponsoring organization must resubmit course materials for continuing approval so as to avoid a lapse of approved status.

2. (2) Instructor Qualifications.

   1. (a) Each instructor shall have knowledge of boating safety, and the current laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of vessels, as well as teaching skills in the area of boating safety.

   2. (b) Each instructor must have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for the transmittal of the information necessary to implant knowledge of boating safety in students. The following skills, knowledge, and abilities are considered essential for this purpose:

      1. Instructor/student communication.

      2. Logical thinking.

      3. Human relations and human diversity.

      4. Lesson planning.

      5. Teaching methods.

      6. Instructional aids.

      7. Handicaps to learning.

      8. Evaluation of student performance.

   3. (c) Certifications of instructors for specialized courses such as canoeing, kayaking, boardsailing, etc., that are available through the American National Red Cross, American Canoe Association, and other boating safety oriented programs are recognized. These certifications, however, are in addition to and do not eliminate the necessity of instructors possessing the knowledge, skills, and abilities set forth in paragraph (2)(b), above.

Rulemaking Authority 327.04, 327.395, 327.731 FS. Law Implemented 327.395, 327.731 FS. History–New 6-9-05, Amended 8-1-24, 3-17-26.