PCOC
A Pleasure Craft Operator Card is issued after meeting the requirements of a Transport Canada-accredited course and test provider. Compass is not an accredited PCOC provider.
Independent study · no certification. Independent study. Not an official course or certification. Details
Compass Revision is independent and is not affiliated with, approved by, or endorsed by Sail Canada, Transport Canada, ISED, CanBoat, CHS, or the Canadian Coast Guard. It does not award certification, a PCOC, or an ROC(M).
Proof of competency
A PCOC, a Basic Cruising certificate, and a Compass course are not the same thing
Direct answer
Transport Canada requires proof of competency to operate a motorized recreational boat, subject to its stated exceptions. Basic Powerboat and Basic Cruising training certificates issued by Sail Canada are currently on Transport Canada's accepted-equivalency list. Completing a Compass study companion is neither a PCOC nor a Sail Canada certificate and creates no proof of competency.
- Compass completion
- Not proof of competency
- PCOC issue
- Transport Canada-accredited route
- Basic Cruising certificate
- Recognized certification route only
Basic Cruising certification
The actual certification is awarded through the recognized Sail Canada instruction and assessment route. Current Transport Canada guidance lists it as accepted proof of competency.
Compass Canada
An independent online knowledge companion. It awards no certificate, card, equivalency, practical sign-off, or legal authority.
Check the current official source before relying on an equivalency
Rules, exceptions, accepted certificates, and provider status can change. Confirm the current requirement for the boat, operator, and waters directly with Transport Canada or the responsible authority.