Boating License Application: How to Get Your Boater Card

There is no national boating license in the US, so a boating license application almost always means applying for your state's boater education card or boating safety certificate. You get one by passing a course and exam approved by your state and NASBLA, then receiving the card from your state, sometimes through the course provider.

New Jersey and Alabama are the main exceptions. New Jersey issues a boat license through the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) for power vessels on non-tidal waters, in addition to the safety certificate. Alabama requires a vessel operator license for motorized-vessel operators 12 and older.

Boating license vs boater card

Boating license is an informal term. Most states issue a boater education card or boater safety certificate that shows you completed an approved course. In several states the card is good for life:

• Florida: the Boating Safety Education ID Card does not expire, and Florida itself says it is not a boating license.
• California: the California Boater Card is a lifetime card.
• New York: the boating safety certificate is good for life.

Do you need a boating license?

Each state sets its own rule. Whether you need a card usually depends on three things:

• Your birthdate or age
• The horsepower of the motor
• The type of vessel, such as a personal watercraft (PWC) or a sailboat

Some examples:

• Florida: anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 needs a card to run a motor of 10 hp or more.
• Texas: anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 needs boater education to run a PWC, a motorboat over 15 hp or a sailboat over 14 feet.
• California: the phase-in ended January 1, 2025. The card now applies to all motorized vessel operators regardless of age.
• New York: under Brianna's Law, all operators of motorized vessels, including PWCs, must complete a state-approved course.
• Oregon: a card is required to operate a motorized boat over 10 hp.
• Alabama: motorized-vessel operators 12 and older need a vessel operator license.
• No general requirement: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, South Dakota and Wyoming have no general boater education requirement, and Indiana requires it only in narrow cases. Some of these states still have rules for young operators, PWC renters or people with boating violations, so check before you go.

The fastest way to check any state, including Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and others not covered below, is the interactive Boating Education map in NASBLA's Boating Safety Dashboards. For each state it shows who needs a card, the motor or size thresholds, visitor rules, minimum operating age, whether a challenge exam is allowed, and a link to the state's education site.

How to apply, step by step

• 1. Confirm your state's rule. Check your state boating agency or the NASBLA Boating Education map using your birthdate, the horsepower, the vessel type and where you will boat. In New Jersey, tidal vs non-tidal water changes what you need.
• 2. Pick an approved course. It must be approved by your state and by NASBLA. Options include online courses, classroom courses (USCG Auxiliary, America's Boating Club, state programs) and, where allowed, a challenge exam. The BoatUS Foundation offers a free online course that is state-approved in many, but not all, states. Check its state lookup first.
• 3. Pass the exam. Some states require a proctored exam. New Jersey requires online-course students to pass an in-person proctored exam.
• 4. Apply for the card. Many online providers submit the application to the state for you, as in Florida. Other states have you apply directly, as in California.
• 5. Keep the temporary certificate. A printable temporary certificate is usually issued right away. Keep it with you until the permanent card arrives.
• 6. Carry the card on the water. Florida requires a photo ID with the card. New York requires the original certificate, not a copy.

State details

Alabama

• Who: operators of motorized vessels aged 12 and older.
• License: a vessel "V" endorsement on your driver's license, or a vessel-only credential.
• Ages: operators aged 12 and 13 need a licensed adult 21 or older aboard. From age 14 you can operate unsupervised.
• Program: run by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Marine Patrol. See the ALEA boating education page.

Florida

• Who: born on or after January 1, 1988, running 10 hp or more.
• Card: Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card. It does not expire.
• Temporary certificate: valid for 90 days from issue, carried with a photo ID.
• On board: carry the ID card together with a photo ID.

Texas

• Who: born on or after September 1, 1993, running a PWC, a motorboat over 15 hp or a sailboat over 14 feet.
• Card: print it through the Print a Certification Card link on the TPWD boater education page.
• Questions: call Texas Parks and Wildlife boater education at 512-389-4846, option 4.

California

• Who: all motorized vessel operators, any age, since January 1, 2025.
• Cost: $10 for the lifetime card, $5 for a replacement.
• How: after a course and exam approved by the California Division of Boating and Waterways, apply online at californiaboatercard.com/applynow. Payment is by credit or debit card only, and a temporary card is emailed to you.
• Residents: California residents cannot use an out-of-state card.

New York

• Who: all operators of motorized vessels, including PWCs.
• Minimum age to take the course: 10.
• Permanent certificate: adults 18 or older who take a classroom course buy it at ilostmycard.com, the site NY State Parks directs them to. For other course types, follow the instructions on the NY State Parks boating education page.
• On board: carry the original physical certificate. Copies are not accepted.
• Extra: residents can add a boating anchor icon to their NY driver's license for $12.50, or free at renewal.

New Jersey

• Tidal waters: you need only the course certificate from a course approved by the New Jersey State Police.
• Non-tidal waters: a power vessel or PWC needs both the NJ Boat Safety Certificate and an MVC boat license.
• To get the boat license, bring your certificate, 6 Points of ID and the $18 fee to a motor vehicle agency. Details are on the NJ MVC boating page.
• Minimum age is 16. Applicants under 17 need a consent letter from a parent or guardian.

Common exemptions

Exemptions vary by state. Common ones include:

• Rentals: California exempts rental vessel operators. In New York, people 18 or older can rent a motorized boat or PWC from a livery without a certificate after getting safety instruction.
• Supervision: Florida exempts operators accompanied on board by a person 18 or older who holds a card (or is exempt) and is attendant to and responsible for safe operation of the vessel. California exempts operators supervised by a cardholder aged 18 or older.
• Professional mariners: Florida exempts USCG-licensed masters, and California exempts holders of a USCG operator license.
• New boat buyers (Florida): you have 90 days after buying a boat, with the bill of sale aboard.
• Recent course graduates (Florida): you have 90 days after completing a course, with the completion certificate aboard.
• Private water (Florida): operators on a private lake or pond are exempt.

Boating in another state

Most states accept proof that an out-of-state boater completed a NASBLA-approved course. There are limits, so check before you go:

• California: out-of-state residents temporarily operating a vessel in California for less than 60 days who meet their home state's requirements (if any) are exempt. Foreign residents get the same exemption for less than 90 days.
• New York: out-of-state certificates count only if issued by the operator's state of residence for a NASBLA-approved course.
• Florida: nonresidents with a NASBLA-approved course and photo ID are exempt.
• New Jersey: if you plan to run a power vessel or PWC on non-tidal lakes, check the NJ MVC boating page first, since those waters call for the MVC boat license on top of the safety certificate.

Using what the course teaches

Boater education courses cover navigation rules, aids to navigation and charts. Our guide on how to read nautical charts is a good refresher, and our guide to boating safety apps and required gear covers the equipment you still need aboard. Helm is a chart and navigation aid built from government chart data, such as NOAA charts on the coast and US Army Corps of Engineers charts on rivers. It does not issue licenses, cards or certificates and has no course or exam, so you still need your state's card. It redraws that data and is not an official chart, so keep an official chart aboard. It is an aid, not a substitute for official paper or electronic charts and your own judgment. More on the data is on our trust page.

Common questions

Is there a national boating license in the US?

No. Each state sets its own rule, and most issue a boater education card or boater safety certificate after you pass an approved course. New Jersey also issues an MVC boat license for power vessels on non-tidal waters. Alabama also requires a vessel operator license (a driver's license endorsement) for motorized-vessel operators 12 and older.

How much does a boater card cost?

It depends on the state. California charges $10 for its lifetime card and $5 for a replacement, separate from any course fee. New Jersey charges $18 for the MVC boat license. The BoatUS Foundation course is free in the states where it is approved. Paid course prices vary by provider.

How long does it take to get my card?

You usually get a printable temporary certificate right away. The permanent card often takes several weeks, depending on the state. New York says to allow about 90 days, and its temporary certificate is valid for 90 days. Florida's temporary certificate is also valid for 90 days from issue.

Can I use my card in another state?

Usually, if it came from a NASBLA-approved course. Some states set limits, such as California's exemption for out-of-state residents operating there for less than 60 days, and New York accepting only cards from your state of residence.

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