Getmyboat wants everyone to boat safely. Check out the United States Coast Guard website for information on federal laws and federal regulations, as well as navigation rules. Boat Ed offers safety courses by state.

Search below for helpful links for your state’s laws and regulations. Make sure to consider purchasing boat rental insurance before your trip. 

Updated September 2021

Alabama Boating Laws & Regulations

In Alabama, you must have a boating license to operate a boat. Any passengers under the age of 8 must wear a lifejacket at all times while on the water and any operator of the boat must be at least 12 years of age. 12 and 13-year-olds operating a boat in Alabama must have a licensed operator who is at least 21 years old with them and within reach of the boat's controls at all times. Operators age 14 and over can drive a boat independently, provided they have the appropriate license.

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Alaska Boating Laws & Regulations

Alaska does not mandate any boat safety education or licensing courses to be able to operate a boat. There is no minimum age to operate a vessel. Anyone under the age of 13 must wear a lifejacket while boating in Alaska. It's still a recommendation to complete a boating safety course and to have a license before renting or operating a boat in Alaska. Having a license or boat safety completion certification can also help you to save money on boat insurance.

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Arizona Boating Laws & Regulations

Arizona does not require an educational boat or water safety course or certification to operate a boat. All boaters age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket while on the water in Arizona, and anyone under the age of 12 cannot operate any watercraft with a motor of 8hp or higher.

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Arkansas Boating Laws & Regulations

In Arkansas, there are mandatory boater education requirements based on the age of the operator of the boat. You need boat safety education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and you are of legal age (14+) to operate a motorboat, PWC, or sailboat independently in Arkansas. 12 and 13-year-olds can operate a boat provided they have their Boater Education course completed and they are with an adult onboard. Anyone the age of 12 and under must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Arkansas.

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California Boating Laws & Regulations

In California, you must have a California Vessel Operator Card (CVOC) to operate a boat or watercraft, which demonstrates that you've taken a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety education examination. Anyone 12 and under must wear a personal flotation device/lifejacket while boating in California. Boats with motors of 15 hp or higher must be operated by someone 16 years or older without a legal adult. 12-15-year-olds can operate these boats as long as a legal adult (18+) is present and supervising onboard. Lifejackets and PFDs must be easily accessible onboard.

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Colorado Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone 16 years and old can operate a boat in Colorado without mandatory boater education. If you're 14 or 15 years old and will be operating a motorized vessel in Colorado, you'll need boater education. Any children age 12 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating. You must make sure any boat or watercraft is registered in Colorado before taking it out on a Colorado waterway.

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Connecticut Boating Laws & Regulations

Everyone operating a boat in Connecticut must take a Safe Boating Course. After completion, you can purchase a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) for $50 through the Online Sportsman Licensing system. This allows the holder to operate a boat that is up to 65-feet in length. One exception is for boaters who hold a valid vessel operator license issued by the US Coast Guard - with this license you are not required to have a Safe Boating Certificate. Connecticut also recognizes certificates from New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Anyone under the age of 12 must wear a lifejacket while boating in Connecticut. You must be at least 12 years old to operate a boat of 10 hp alone.

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Delaware Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1978 must successfully complete a boating safety course before operating a motorized boat, including personal watercraft, on Delaware waters. While boating in Delaware, anyone age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket/personal floatation device while onboard. There is no minimum age to operate a vessel in Delaware.

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Florida Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone who wants to operate a boat of 10 hp or greater in Florida who is born after January 1, 1988 must have a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card. This card must be with the operator on the boat. These cards can be obtained through a variety of boat safety classes offered in Florida. Anyone on board a boat age 6 and younger must wear a lifejacket at all times. There is no minimum age requirement to operate a boat in Florida but operators of personal watercraft like jet skis must be at least 14 years old.

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Georgia Boating Laws & Regulations

All boat operators in Georgia who are born after January 1, 1998, must have passed a boater education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources. You must also have the card with you when operating any vessel. Boat passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket when boating in Georgia. Operators of a boat or personal watercraft in Georgia must be at least 12 years of age with an adult, but must be at least 16 years old to operate a vessel without an adult present.

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Hawaii Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone in Hawaii who is operating a motorized vessel greater than 10 hp must have taken a boating safety course and be able to show proof of certification. Passengers 12 and under must wear a lifejacket or PFD at all times while boating in Hawaii. There is no minimum age requirement to operate a boat in Hawaii, operators of personal watercraft must be at least 15 years old. Anyone between the ages of 12-15 operating a boat in Hawaii must be supervised by an adult who has a boating safety certification card.

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Idaho Boating Laws & Regulations

In Idaho, there is no mandatory requirement for boating safety, but you can find free boating safety courses offered in Idaho which are a great idea for inexperienced boaters. There is no state law for a minimum age to operate a boat or personal watercraft in Idaho, but regulations vary by county. Anyone age 14 and under must wear a PFD while boating in Idaho.

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Illinois Boating Laws & Regulations

In Illinois, persons born on or after January 1, 1998, may operate a vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 hp only if they have a valid Boating Safety Certificate. All Boating Safety Certificates must be approved by the Department of Natural Resources to be valid in Illinois. All passengers age 13 and under must wear a PFD/lifejacket when boating in Illinois.

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Indiana Boating Laws & Regulations

Boat operators in Indiana must be at least 15 years of age to legally operate a motorboat greater than 10 hp or a PWC. 15-year-olds and anyone over the age of 15 without a valid driver's license must take a boating safety education course. All motorboat or PWC operators must have a valid driver’s license to operate on all Indiana public waters. All passengers age 13 and under on a boat in Indiana must wear a lifejacket.

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Iowa Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters in Iowa between the ages of 12 and 17 who wish to operate a boat over 10hp will need to complete a Boating Education Course. All passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket while boating in Iowa. The minimum age to operate a boat or personal watercraft in Iowa is 12.

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Kansas Boating Laws & Regulations

All boaters between 12 and 20 years old, need boater education to operate a watercraft in Kansas if they are unaccompanied. This rule applies to all PWC's, powerboats, and sailboats. Boater Education in Kansas must meet requirements set forth by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

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Kentucky Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters in Kentucky between the ages of 12 and 17 who wish to operate a boat over 10hp will need to complete a Boating Education Course to earn a Kentucky Boating Education Certificate, also called a "Blue Card." Anyone age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket at all times while boating in Kentucky. The minimum age to operate a boat or PWC in Kentucky is 12.

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Louisiana Boating Laws & Regulations

Boater Education is required if you were born after Jan. 1, 1984, and will be operating a motorboat or PWC over 10 hp in Louisiana. It is required to have the card/certificate showing proof of completion while boating. Anyone age 16 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Louisiana. The minimum age to operate a personal watercraft in Louisiana is 16 years old with a boating certificate.

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Maine Boating Laws & Regulations

Maine does not have mandatory boating education requirements. All children age 10 and younger must wear a lifejacket when boating in Maine. When operating a motorboat of 10 hp or more, a person under age 12 must be under the supervision of at least a 16-year-old. Boater education is required for 16-18-year-olds who want to operate a personal watercraft like a jet ski without an adult present.

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Maryland Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters in Maryland born after July 1, 1972, need boater education if they will be operating a boat or PWC. All passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket or PFD while boating in Maryland. You must be at least 16 years old to operate a personal watercraft in Maryland.

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Massachusetts Boating Laws & Regulations

No person under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat, unless accompanied and supervised by an adult 18+. Youth who are between 12 and 15 years of age must complete an approved basic boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Upon successful completion of a boating safety course, students are issued a state "boating safety certificate" which must be in the possession of the operator when boating. Personal watercraft (PWC) users must be at least 16 years of age. A boating safety course is recommended for anyone operating a boat in Massachusetts and you can take a class online or in person. Any passengers age 12 or younger must wear a lifejacket when boating in Massachusetts.

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Michigan Boating Laws & Regulations

Boater education is required if you were born after June 30, 1996, and will be operating a vessel in Michigan. Anyone born before July 1, 1996, may operate a boat without restrictions. For Michigan boat safety certificates, you must take a boat safety course that is approved by the Michigan DNR and print out your certificate after successful course completion and bring it onboard. Passengers age 6 and younger must wear a lifejacket while on the water in Michigan. You must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft/jet ski in Michigan.

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Minnesota Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters aged 12 to 17 years old who want to go boating on a vessel over 25hp or operate a personal watercraft will need boater education in Minnesota. Any passengers age 10 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Minnesota. Anyone under the age of 13 years may not legally operate a personal watercraft (PWC) in Minnesota. Anyone 18 years of age or older may operate a motorized vessel or PWC without any restrictions.

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Mississippi Boating Laws & Regulations

All boaters born after June 30, 1980, will need boater education to operate a boat or PWC in Mississippi. All passengers age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Mississippi. Passengers under the age of 12 who wish to operate the boat must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older.

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Missouri Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone born after January 1, 1984, must have a boating safety ID card and a photo ID (i.e. driver's license) to operate any vessel on a lake in Missouri. You must have the card with you at all times when operating watercraft. All passengers age 7 and younger on board a boat in Missouri must wear a lifejacket/PFD. You must be at least 14 years old to operate a personal watercraft without adult supervision in Missouri.

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Montana Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters age 13 or 14 years old will need boater education if they plan to operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 hp in Montana. All passengers age 12 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while on the water in Montana.

For motorboats over 10 hp, anyone age 12 or younger must be accompanied by an adult to drive the boat. To operate a boat without an adult present, boaters age 13-14 must have a boat safety certificate.

There are no certifications or requirements for boaters age 15 and older.

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Nebraska Boating Laws & Regulations

The minimum age to operate a boat in Nebraska is 14 years old. Anyone born after December 31, 1985, must successfully complete an in-person Boating Safety Course and carry a valid certificate of course completion on board when operating a boat in Nebraska.

You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska. All passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Nebraska.

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Nevada Boating Laws & Regulations

There is no minimum age to operate a boat in Nevada but anyone born on or after January 1, 1983, will need to have completed a boating education course. This qualifies the boat safety certificate holder to operate a motorboat of more than 15 hp. The operator must have their card/certificate showing boat safety course completion with them at all times when on the water in Nevada.

Boat passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Nevada. To operate a jet ski/personal watercraft in Nevada you must be at least 14 years old.

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New Hampshire Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone age 16 and older must complete boater education in New Hampshire. You must be at least 16 years old to operate a personal watercraft in New Hampshire. All boat passengers age 12 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating.

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New Jersey Boating Laws & Regulations

All boaters in New Jersey need to complete boat safety education to operate a motorized vessel in New Jersey. Some operators may be required to get a non‐tidal boat license as well. It's required to have your boat safety certificate with you while boating in New Jersey.

The minimum age to operate a boat in New Jersey is 13, and all operators age 13-15 can only operate boats powered by electric motors. All passengers age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket/PFD when boating in New Jersey.

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New Mexico Boating Laws & Regulations

All operators born on or after January 1, 1989, need boater education to operate a motorboat in New Mexico. The minimum age to drive a boat or operate a jet ski/personal watercraft in New Mexico is 13 years old. All passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket while boating in New Mexico.

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New York Boating Laws & Regulations

As of January 1, 2020, New York law requires all boat operators to carry the New York boating safety certificate. All passengers age 12 and younger must wear a lifejacket when boating in New York. The minimum age to operate a boat in New York is 10 years old, and all boaters age 10-18 must have a boating safety certificate. Jetski/personal watercraft operators must be at least 14 years old and have a boat safety certificate.

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North Carolina Boating Laws & Regulations

There is no minimum age to operate a boat in North Carolina but all operators of a boat or PWC over 10hp born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, will need boater education. Anyone age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while the boat is underway. You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a PWC. Persons 14 - 16 years old may operate if they are accompanied by an adult 18 or older OR have a certificate of competency from a NASBLA-approved boating education course.

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North Dakota Boating Laws & Regulations

The minimum age to operate a boat in North Dakota is 12 years old. Boaters age 12 through 15 years who wish to boat unaccompanied require boating education if they will be operating a power-driven vessel or PWC of 10 hp or more. All passengers age 10 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in North Dakota.

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Ohio Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters in Ohio born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, and will be operating a boat or PWC over 10 hp will need education in Ohio. Passengers age 10 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Ohio. You must be at least 12 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Ohio. Anyone under the age of 12 who is operating a boat/vessel in Ohio must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times.

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Oklahoma Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters 12 to 15 years old need boater education to operate a boat or PWC over 10 hp or a sailboat 16 feet or longer in Oklahoma. They must carry their boater education certification card (boat safety card) at all times while operating the vessel. All passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD at all times while a boat is underway.

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Oregon Boating Laws & Regulations

The minimum age to operate a boat/vessel in Oregon is 16 years old. Anyone operating a motorized boat over 10 hp or a PWC in Oregon will need to complete boater education and bring their certification/boat safety card with them. All passengers age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Oregon.

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Pennsylvania Boating Laws & Regulations

You must be at least 12 years of age to operate a motorboat of 25hp or higher in Pennsylvania. Boating education certificates are required for boat operators born on or after January 1, 1982, in Pennsylvania. For operators who are required to take a boat safety course - they must carry their certificate/boat safety card with them at all times when operating a boat/vessel. All passengers age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Pennsylvania.

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Rhode Island Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone operating a PWC requires boater education in Rhode Island. If you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and will be operating a motorized vessel over 10 hp, you will also need boater education. You must carry your boat safety certificate/card with you while operating a vessel in Rhode Island. Passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket while boating in Rhode Island.

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South Carolina Boating Laws & Regulations

Boaters under the age of 16 years old who will be operating a boat or PWC of 15 hp or more unaccompanied in South Carolina will need boater education. After completing an accredited boat safety course, they must carry their boat safety certificate with them while operating the vessel in South Carolina. There is no minimum age required to operate a boat or PWC in South Carolina. Any passengers under the age of 12 must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in South Carolina.

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South Dakota Boating Laws & Regulations

South Dakota does not require boater education. Completing a boater education course in South Dakota may help you save money on insurance and is a good idea to make sure you have all the necessary knowledge to operate a boat safely. Anyone under the age of 12 cannot operate a motorboat of more than 6 hp unless accompanied by a legal adult, and all passengers age 7 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in South Dakota.

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Tennessee Boating Laws & Regulations

Any Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989, must complete the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency boating safety exam. After successful completion of the exam, the individual will be issued a certificate as proof, and they must carry this with them when operating a vessel in Tennessee. Passengers age 12 and younger must wear a lifejacket while boating in Tennessee. For operating a boat of 15hp motor or greater, the minimum age for the driver is 16 years old. To operate a jet ski/personal watercraft in Tennessee, you must be at least 12 years old.

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Texas Boating Laws & Regulations

If you were born on or after September 1, 1993, you must complete a Boater Education course to operate a PWC or a boat with a horsepower rating of more than 15 hp in Texas. All boat passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Texas. The minimum age to operate a boat or PWC of 15hp or higher in Texas is 16 years of age.

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Utah Boating Laws & Regulations

All persons 12 to 17 years old who will be operating a PWC in Utah need to complete a boater education course. The minimum age to operate a boat/vessel in Utah is 16 years of age. All passengers onboard boats in Utah age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Utah. Anyone age 18 and older does not need to complete a boat safety course to operate a PWC in Utah.

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Vermont Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1974, who will be operating a motorized vessel or PWC in Vermont needs to complete boater education. In Vermont, you must be at least 12 years of age or older to operate a watercraft of 6hp or higher. All passengers age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket at all times while boating in Vermont. To operate a personal watercraft/jet ski in Vermont you must be at least 16 years old and hold a boating education certificate.

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Virginia Boating Laws & Regulations

In Virginia, all operators of motorboats with 10hp or greater need to take a boat safety course. All PWC operators also must take a boat safety course. The minimum age to drive a personal watercraft/jet ski in Virginia is 14 years old unless it is a rental in which case they must be at least 16 years old. Children age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket while boating in Virginia.

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Washington Boating Laws & Regulations

All operators of powered watercraft of 15 hp or more require boater education in Washington. After completion of the boat safety course, you must print and carry the certificate with you when operating a boat in Washington. All passengers age 12 and younger must wear a lifejacket/PFD while boating in Washington. You must be at least 12 years of age to operate a boat with 15 or more hp in Washington.

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West Virginia Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone born on or after Dec. 31, 1986, who will be operating a motorboat or PWC in West Virginia requires boater education and to carry the certificate with them while operating the vessel. The minimum age to operate a boat in West Virginia is 12 years old and all operators age 12-15 must have an adult present onboard with them in addition to their boat safety certificate. All passengers age 12 and under must wear a lifejacket while boating in West Virginia.

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Wisconsin Boating Laws & Regulations

Anyone who is at least 16 years old and born on or after Jan. 1, 1989 requires boating education to operate a motorboat or PWC in Wisconsin. All passengers age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket while boating in Wisconsin. The minimum age to operate a personal watercraft/jet ski or motorized boat in Wisconsin is 12 years of age.

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Wyoming Boating Laws & Regulations

Wyoming does not require boater education, but taking a boat safety course can be a great way to save money on insurance and make sure you have adequate knowledge to operate a boat in Wyoming. All boaters age 13 and younger must wear a lifejacket while boating in Wyoming. Anyone under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult if operating a boat or jet ski in Wyoming.

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