I read that any one operating a boat in Virginia will be required to take a boat safety course and you must have your boat safety card with you when operating.
This law is going to be phased in depending on your age.

PWC operators 20 years of age and younger and they will have to meet the requirement by July 1, 2009.

PWC operators 35 years of age or younger by July 1, 2010.

PWC operators 50 years of age or younger and motorboat operators 20 years of age or younger by July 1, 2011

All personal watercraft operators, regardless of age, and motorboat operators 30 years of age or younger by July 1, 2012

Motorboat operators 40 years of age or younger by July 1, 2013

Motorboat operators 45 years of age or younger by July 1, 2014

Motorboat operators 50 years of age or younger by July 1, 2015

All motorboat operators, regardless of age, by July 1, 2016

Luckily in Virginia you can take an online course.

More info at

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/education/