Sec.15-140j-2. Content for courses taken to obtain a certificate of personal watercraft operation

(a) Any person required by subsection (b) of section 15-140j of the Connecticut General Statutes to obtain a certificate of personal watercraft operation, in addition to providing proof as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 15-140j-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies that such person has been issued or is eligible to be issued a lifetime safe boating certificate, shall successfully complete a classroom course in safe personal watercraft handling which has been approved by the commissioner. Such course shall provide instruction in the following subjects:

(1) safe personal watercraft operation;

(2) courtesy to other users of the waters; and

(3) applicability of boating law to personal watercraft.

(b) Any person required to successfully complete the course described in subsection (a) of this section shall also pass an examination to be given at the conclusion of such course. The examination shall consist of not less than ten questions pertaining to those subject areas listed in subdivisions (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of this section. The minimum score to pass such examination shall be eighty percent correct answers.

(c) The following may be substituted in lieu of the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) of this section: (1) Any person required by subsection (b) of section 15-140j of the Connecticut General Statutes to obtain a certificate of personal watercraft operation may complete a combined basic boating and safe personal watercraft handling course which has been approved by the commissioner. Such combined course shall contain all topic areas designated in section 15-140f-1 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and in subdivisions (1), (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of this section. Any person who successfully completes the combined basic boating and safe personal watercraft handling course shall also pass a proctored, closed-book examination given at the conclusion of the course. Such examination shall consist of not less than fifty questions covering all required topic areas. The minimum score to pass such examination shall be eighty percent correct answers; or (2) upon application, any person may take an equivalency examination which tests their knowledge of safe personal watercraft handling. Such equivalency examination shall be administered by the commissioner and may be taken only once. The examination shall be taken in person at a place and time designated by the commissioner. The examination shall be a closed-book examination with no fewer than fifty questions prepared by the commissioner. The minimum score to pass such examination shall be eighty percent correct answers. Any person who passes such examination shall be qualified to receive a certificate of personal watercraft operation. Any person who fails to pass such examination shall be required to successfully complete a personal watercraft course as identified in subsections (a) and (b) of this section or in subdivision (1) of this subsection as a prerequisite to receiving a certificate of personal watercraft operation.

(Adopted effective March 9, 2004; Amended July 8, 2011; Amended December 22, 2016)