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ABYC Online Learning

Professional development for the marine industry

ABYC Marine Standards Certification - 2026

This ABYC Marine Standards Certification course is an on-demand format. This on-demand format is a flexible learning option that allows you to study at your own pace and on your own scheduled. We do recommend completing the course within 6 months of purchasing it. The Marine Standards Certification course provides an introduction to the layout and organization of ABYC Standards, along with a look at portions of a wide variety of Standards, ranging from the most-referenced, to those that may be a bit more obscure. 

Intended for engineers, boat-builders, installers, repair techs, compliance inspectors, and marine surveyors, the course emphasizes on critical compliance topics and practical applications of ABYC Standards in the marine industry. The course equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to apply ABYC Standards effectively in their work, ensuring safety, compliance, and industry excellence, and is recommended for marine-industry professionals with at least 1-2 years' experience in the field.

This online course includes over 9 hours of presentation and study review material to guide you through the certification process as well as chapter review questions to help you gauge your progress.

Topics Include:
  • Cockpit Drainage and Electric Bilge Pump Systems - Design, installation, and maintenance.
  • Potable Water Systems - components, installation and servicing.
  • Electrical Systems (AC & DC) -  batteries, generators, chargers and inverters.
  • Engine Exhaust, Propulsion, Steering and Control systems - safety and compliance.
  • Fuel & Ventilation Systems - for gasoline and diesel applications.
  • Firefighting Equipment - Portable and fixed firefighting systems.
  • Gasoline Detection Systems - gasoline, propane, and carbon monoxide.
  • LPG Systems - installation and safety standards.
  • Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Equipment - proper installation and compliance.
  • Boat Heating Systems - Liquid and solid-fueled heaters.
  • Navigation Lights & Sound Signal Appliances - Compliance with visibility and safety requirements.
  • Load Capacity & Buoyancy - determining and managing vessel limits.
  • Powering of Boats - ensuring adequate power.
  • Boat Lifting & Storage - safe handling and storage practices.

ABYC Standards Covered:

◊ A-1 Marine Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Systems

◊ A-3 Cooking Appliances

◊ A-4 Fire Fighting Equipment

◊ A-6 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment

◊ A-7 Liquid and Solid Fueled Boat Heating Systems

◊ A-14 Gasoline and Propane Gas Detection Systems

◊ A-16 Installation of Electric Navigation Lights

◊ A-23 Sound Signal Appliances

◊ A-24 Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems

◊ A-26 LPG and CNG Fueled Appliances

◊ A-27 Alternating Current (AC) Generator Sets

◊ A-28 Galvanic Isolators

◊ A-30 Cooking Appliances with Integral LPG Cylinders

◊ A-31 Battery Chargers and Inverters

◊ A-32 AC Power Conversion Equipment and Systems

◊ A-33 Emergency Engine/Propulsion Cutoff Device

◊ E-2 Cathodic Protection

◊ E-10 Storage Batteries

◊ E-11 AC and DC Electrical Systems on Boats

◊ E-13 Lithium Ion Batteries

◊ E-30 Electrical Propulsion Systems

◊ H-1 Field of Vision from the Helm Position

◊ H-2 Ventilation of Boats Using Gasoline

◊ H-4 Cockpit Drainage Systems

◊ H-5 Boat Load Capacity

◊ H-8 Buoyancy in the Event of Flooding/Swamping

◊ H-22 Electric Bilge Pump Systems

◊ H-23 Installation of Potable Water Systems

◊ H-24 Gasoline Fuel Systems

◊ H-25 Portable and Semi-Portable Marine Gasoline Fuel Systems

◊ H-26 Powering of Boats

◊ H-27 Seacocks, Thru-Hull Fittings, and Drain Plugs

◊ H-28 Inflatable Boats

◊ H-29 Canoes and Kayaks

◊ H-30 Hydraulic Systems

◊ H-32 Ventilation of Boats Using Diesel Fuel

◊ H-33 Diesel Fuel Systems

◊ H-35 Powering and Load Capacity of Pontoon Boats

◊ P-1 Installation of Exhaust Systems for Propulsion and Auxiliary Engines

◊ P-4 Marine Inboard Engines and Transmissions

◊ P-6 Propeller Shafting Systems

◊ P-14 Mechanical Propulsion Control Systems

◊ P-17 Mechanical Steering Systems

◊ P-18 Cable over Pulley Steering Systems for Outboard Engines

◊ P-21 Manual Hydraulic Steering Systems

◊ P-22 Steering Wheels

◊ P-28 Electric/Electronic Systems for Propulsion and Steering

◊ S-7 Boat Capacity Labels

◊ T-5 Safety Signs and Labels

◊ TH-22 Educational Information about Carbon Monoxide

◊ TH-23 Design, Construction, and Testing of Boats in Consideration of Carbon Monoxide

◊ TY-28 Boat Lifting and Storage

20% off Sale October 20 - November 3, 2026, Sale Pricing at Checkout-

Registration Location

Member

Non-Member

United States

$683

$1,123

Canada

$688

$1,128

International

$713

$1,153


Price includes:

  • On-demand chapter review videos
  • Study Guide: a spiral-bound study guide will be mailed to you. This study guide is essential to following the course instruction and preparing for the certification exam.
  • One Certification Exam: details on the exam are provided on the Exam Info tab.

Course Length: 9 hours 
Continuing Education Units : 32 CEUs issued upon passing the certification exam.

Certification Requirement:

To earn the Marine Standards Certification, participants must take the certification exam with a proctor, and pass the comprehensive certification exam.

Certification Exam Testing:

The certification exam is composed of 134 multiple-choice questions and timed at 3 hours. At the end of the course, participants will take the certification exam online through a third party proctoring service. More details are provided on the Exam Info tab during the course.

Scheduling the exam is flexible and up to the participant. Participants may schedule their testing date & time . Online testing is available Mondays through Wednesdays all day and Thursdays until 1pm (ET). There will be given a 30 day test by deadline, if you do not test by the given date there is a $25 extension fee due to receive a new test by deadline.

Exam retesting: If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may sign-up to retest at anytime. There is a retesting fee of $179 per attempt. There is no deadline to sign-up to retest by, you may retest when you are confident and ready to challenge the exam.

ADA Requests for the Certification Exam:

We want to ensure that you have the necessary support and accommodations to succeed. If you require any accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or any other support, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make appropriate arrangements. Students with ADA accommodations must inform the ABYC in writing of said needs at the time of class registration to ensure that any special accommodations can be made for exam taking. 

Cancellation/Refunds:

Requests for cancellation and refund of a course registration must be submitted in writing. A $150 cancellation fee will apply. The refund amount will vary depending on whether the course has been started or not. Cancellation requests may be emailed to the Education Department at [email protected]

Mike Bonicker

Mike Bonicker

ABYC Lead Instructor

American Boat and Yacht Council, Inc.

Mike Bonicker worked with Tidewater Yacht Service in Baltimore for over 20 years, starting as a tech for 5 years doing general repair, electrical and sailboat rigging. He climbed the ranks and became production manager for the remaining 15, still  doing hands-on electrical and sailboat rigging work throughout his tenure.

He received his first ABYC certification, Electrical, under the instruction of Ed Sherman at New England Institute of Technology in 2000 and became a Master Tech with Standards and Corrosion by 2005.

Additionally, he has served with pride on the board of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland for over 12 years.

Boating started as a teenager for Mike when he learned to sail at 13 and raced for over 20 years and he's been a life-long fisherman from the age of 5 owning several boats both sail and power along the way.

Mike can be reached at:

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Introduction
Please read to continue.
Please read to continue. Welcome to ABYC's Marine Standards Certification on-demand course.
You must register to access.
Chapter 1 - Hull & Piping
Chapter 1 Standards: H-24, H-22, H-23, H-27
Select the "View Chapter 1" button to begin.
Select the "View Chapter 1" button to begin. H-24 Cockpit Drainage Systems, H-22 Electric Bilge Pump Systems, H-23 Installation of Potable Water Systems, H-27 Seacocks, Thru-Hull Fittings, and Drain Plugs
You must register to access.
Chapter 1 Review Quiz
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  2/3 points to pass
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  2/3 points to pass
You must register to access.
Chapter 2 - Electrical
Chapter 2 Standards: A-27, A-28, A-31, A-32, E-2, E-10, E-13, E30
Select the "View Chapter 2" button to begin.
Select the "View Chapter 2" button to begin. A-27 Alternating Current (AC) Generator Sets, A-28 Galvanic Isolators, A-31 Battery Chargers and Inverters, A-32 AC Power Conversion Equipment and Systems, E-2 Cathodic Protection, E-10 Storage Batteries, E-13 Lithium Ion Batteries, E30 Electric Propulsion Systems
You must register to access.
Chapter 2 Review Quiz
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  4/5 points to pass
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  4/5 points to pass
You must register to access.
Chapter 3 – Engines, Exhaust Systems & Engine Controls
Chapter 3 Standards: A-27, A-33, H-1, H-30, P-1, P-4, P-6, P-14, P-17, P-18, P-21, P-22, P-28
Select the "View Chapter 3" button to begin.
Select the "View Chapter 3" button to begin. A-27 Alternating Current (AC) Generator Sets, A-33 Emergency Engine/Propulsion Cutoff Devices, H-1 Field of Vision from the Helm Position, H-30 Hydraulic Systems, P-1 Installation of Exhaust Systems for Propulsion and Auxiliary Engines, P-4 Marine Inboard Engines and Transmissions, P-6 Propeller Shafting Systems, P-14 Mechanical Propulsion Control Systems, P-17 Manual and Assisted Mechanical Steering Systems, P-18 Cable over Pulley Steering Systems for Outboard Engines, P-21 Manual Hydraulic Steering Systems, P-22 Steering Wheels, P-28 Electric/Electronic Systems for Propulsion and Steering
You must register to access.
Chapter 3 Review Quiz
4 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  4/4 points to pass
4 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  4/4 points to pass
You must register to access.
Chapter 4 – Fire Fighting, Fuel & Ventilation
Chapter 4 Standards: A-4, A-14, A-24, TH-22, TH-23, H-2, H-24, H-25, H-32, H-33
Select the "View Chapter 4" button to begin.
Select the "View Chapter 4" button to begin. A-4 Fire Fighting Equipment, A-14 Gasoline and Propane Gas Detection Systems, A-24 Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems, TH-22 Educational Information about Carbon Monoxide, TH-23 Design, Construction, and Testing of Boats in Consideration of Carbon Monoxide, H-2 Ventilation of Boats Using Gasoline, H-24 Gasoline Fuel Systems, H-25 Portable and Semi-Portable Marine Gasoline Fuel Systems, H-32 Ventilation of Boats Using Diesel Fuel, H-33 Diesel Fuel Systems
You must register to access.
Chapter 4 Review Quiz
6 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  4/6 points to pass
6 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  4/6 points to pass
You must register to access.
Chapter 5 – Miscellaneous Hull & Deck, and Thermal Appliances
Chapter 5 Standards: H-1, A-1, A-3, A-6, A-7, A-26, A-30
Select the "View Chapter 5" button to begin.
Select the "View Chapter 5" button to begin. H-1 Field of Vision from the Helm Position, A-1 Marine Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Systems, A-3 Cooking Appliances, A-6 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment, A-7 Liquid and Solid Fueled Boat Heating Systems, A-26 LPG and CNG Fueled Appliances, A-30 Cooking Appliances with Integral LPG Cylinders
You must register to access.
Chapter 5 Review Quiz
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  2/3 points to pass
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  2/3 points to pass
You must register to access.
Chapter 6 – Miscellaneous Standards
Chapter 6 Standards: A-16, A-23, H-5, H-8, H-26, H-28, H-29, H-35, S-7, T-5, TY-28
Select the "View Chapter 6" button to begin.
Select the "View Chapter 6" button to begin. A-16 Installation of Electric Navigation Lights, A-23 Sound Signal Appliances, H-5 Boat Load Capacity, H-8 Buoyancy in the Event of Flooding/Swamping, H-26 Powering of Boats, H-28 Inflatable Boats, H-29 Canoes and Kayaks, H-35 Powering and Load Capacity of Pontoon Boats, S-7 Boat Capacity Labels, T-5 Safety Signs and Labels, TY-28 Boat Lifting and Storage
You must register to access.
Chapter 6 Review Quiz
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  3/5 points to pass
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  3/5 points to pass
You must register to access.
Post Course Survey & Exam Info
Post-Course Survey
6 Questions
6 Questions ABYC would like to have your opinion on the course. The information we receive helps us to determine whether or not we are providing the instruction you need and expect.
You must register to access.
Certification Exam Info
View Information on next steps
View Information on next steps Once you have completed Chapter 1-6 reviews, contact the ABYC Education Department by email to request to have your Marine Standards Certification exam setup to be taken online.
You must register to access.