Every state has its own boating safety requirements and guidelines, but regardless of rules and regulations, successfully completing an online boating safety course increases your water safety and boating skills. Select your state below for more information on local boating education programs.
Boating is one of our nation’s favorite pastimes for a simple reason—it’s a great way to spend time with the people we care about! However, it is important that you are properly educated on boat safety best practices in order to ensure the safety of all passengers on board. Understand the boat safety education requirements for your specific state, and learn about the benefits that come from completing an approved online boat safety course.
Every state has its own boating safety requirement, guidelines and online courses. Check your state for more information on local boating education programs.
Alabama
You need education if you are at least 12 years old and will be operating a motorized boat in Alabama.
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Alaska
Alaska does not require boating education. Click here if you want to take a safety course online.
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Arizona
Arizona does not require boating education. Click here if you want to take a safety course online.
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Arkansas
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and you are of legal age to operate a motorboat.
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California
CA does not currently require boating education. Beginning on Jan 1, 2018, young boaters will require education.
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Colorado
You need education if you are 14 or 15 years old and will be operating a motorized vessel in CO.
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Connecticut
CT does not require a boating license for boat operators. However, operators need to have a Safe Boating Certificate.
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Delaware
You need education if you were born after Dec. 31, 1977, and will be operating a motorized vessel in DE.
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DC
Everyone who will be operating in the District of Columbia needs education.
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Florida
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, and will be operating a motorized boat.
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Georgia
You need education if you were born after Jan. 1, 1998, and will be operating a motorized vessel.
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Hawaii
You need education if you will be operating a motorized boat over 10 hp or a PWC in Hawaii.
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Idaho
Idaho does not require boating education. Click here if you want to take a safety course online.
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Illinois
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1998, and will be operating a vessel powered by a motor.
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Indiana
You need education if you are at least 15 years old and will be operating a motorboat or PWC.
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Iowa
You need education if you are 12 to 17 years old and will be operating a motorized vessel.
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Kansas
You need education if you are between 12 and 20 years old, are unaccompanied, and will be operating a PWC.
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Kentucky
You need education if you are 12 to 17 years old, unaccompanied, and will be operating a motorized vessel.
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Louisiana
You need education if you were born after Jan. 1, 1984, and will be operating a motorboat in LA.
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Maine
You need education if you are 16 to 18 years old, unaccompanied, and will be operating a personal watercraft.
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Maryland
You need education if you were born after July 1, 1972, and will be operating a boat or PWC in MD.
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Massachusetts
You need education if you are between 12 and 18 years of age in order to operate a motorboat in MA.
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Michigan
You need education if you were born after June 30, 1996, and will be operating a vessel in Michigan.
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Minnesota
You need education if you are 12 to 17 years old, are unsupervised, and will be operating a boat.
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Mississippi
You need education if you were born after June 30, 1980, and will be operating a boat or PWC in MS.
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Missouri
You need education if you were born after Jan. 1, 1984, and will be operating a vessel on any lake in MO.
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Montana
You need education if you are 13 or 14 years old and will be operating a motorboat or PWC over 10 hp.
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Nebraska
Anyone born after Dec 31, 1985, must complete an in-person Boating Safety Course and carry the certificate onboard.
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Nevada
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1983, and will be operating a vessel over 15 hp.
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New Hampshire
You need education if you are at least 16 years old and will be operating a motorboat over 25 hp.
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New Jersey
You need education if you will be operating a motorized vessel in NJ and/or a non-tidal boat license as well.
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New Mexico
You need education if you were born or after January 1, 1989, and will be operating a motorboat.
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New York
You need education if you are at least 10 years old and will be operating any type of vessel.
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North Carolina
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, and will be operating a boat or PWC.
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North Dakota
You need education if you are 12 to 15 years old, unaccompanied, and will be operating a power-driven vessel.
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Ohio
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, and will be operating a boat or PWC.
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Oklahoma
You need education if you are 12 to 15 years old and will be operating a boat or PWC over 10 hp.
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Oregon
You need education if you will be operating a vessel over 10 hp in Oregon.
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Pennsylvania
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, and will be operating a boat or PWC.
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Rhode Island
You need education if you were born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and will be operating a motorized or PWC.
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South Carolina
You need education if you are under 16 years old, unaccompanied, and will be operating a boat or PWC.
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South Dakota
South Dakota does not require boating education.
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Tennessee
You need education if you were born after Jan. 1, 1989 and will be operating a motorized vessel over 8.5 hp.
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Texas
You need education if you were born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, and will be operating a boat.
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Utah
You need education if you are 12 to 17 years old and will be operating a PWC in Utah.
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Vermont
You need education if you were born after Jan. 1, 1974, and will be operating a motorized vessel or PWC.
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Virginia
All PWC operators age 14 and older and all motorboat operators of 10 hp or greater need to take a course.
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Washington
You need education if you are operating a powered watercraft of 15 hp or more in Washington.
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West Virginia
You need education if you were born on or after Dec. 31, 1986, and will be operating a motorboat or PWC.
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Wisconsin
You need education if you are at least 16 years old and born on or after Jan. 1, 1989, and will be operating a motorboat.
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Wyoming
Wyoming does not require boating education. Click here if you want to take a safety course online.
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