Do I Need Boater Education in My State?
As a boat owner, it’s your responsibility to understand how a boat operates, how to communicate with other boaters, and what to do during an emergency.
Of course, the best way to learn and understand is through boater education. Many states require completion of a boater education course before operating a boat on state waters. However, even if you live in a state with no boater education requirements, you should still complete a boater education course to make you a safer boater. Plus, many insurance companies look favorably upon it with discounts on policies.
If your state requires it, you must carry your boater education card with you whenever you operate your boat by law or you’ll be issued a fine. With that in mind, here’s a list of states from A-L and whether or not they require boater’s education. States from M-O and states from P-W will be covered in separate posts.
NOTE: Laws, regulations and requirements are subject to change. The boater education requirements listed below are current as of this publication (2021). However, you should check your state’s boating laws for updates or amendments.
Boater Education Requirements by State: A thru L
Alabama
Requires all boat operators 12 years or older on state waters to complete an approved boater education course.
Alaska
Does not require boat operators to complete any boater education courses.
Arizona
Does not require boat operators to complete any boater education courses.
Arkansas
Requires all boat operators on state waters born after January 1st, 1986 to complete an approved boater education course.
California
Requires all boat operators on state waters to complete an approved boater education course.
Colorado
Requires all boat operators on state waters between 14 and 15 years of age to complete an approved boater education course. Does not require boat operators 16 years of age or older to complete any boater education courses.
Connecticut
Requires all boat operators on state waters to complete an approved boater education course.
Delaware
Requires all boat operators on state waters born after January 1st, 1978 to complete an approved boater education course.
Florida
Requires all boat operators on state waters born after January 1st, 1988 to complete an approved boater education course.
Georgia
Requires all boat operators on state waters born after January 1st, 1998 to complete an approved boater education course.
Hawaii
Does not require boat operators to complete any boater education courses.
Idaho
Does not require boat operators to complete any boater education courses.
Illinois
Requires all boat operators on state waters born after January 1st, 1998 to complete an approved boater education course.
Indiana
Requires boat operators to carry a valid driver’s license. Does not require boat operators to complete any boating education courses or to have a boating license. Boaters over 15 who do not have a driver’s license must complete a boating education course and carry an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles issued ID card.
Iowa
Requires all boat operators on state waters between 12 and 17 years of age to complete an approved boater education course. Does not require boat operators 18 years of age or older to complete any boater education courses.
Kansas
Requires all boat operators on state waters born after January 1st, 1989 or under 21 years of age (regardless of birth date) to complete an approved boater education course.
Kentucky
Requires all boat operators on state waters between 12 and 17 years of age to complete an approved boater education course. Does not require boat operators 16 years of age or older to complete any boater education courses.
Louisiana
Requires all boat operators on state waters 16 years or under to complete an approved boater education course.
Do you need a boating license in your state? Find out here.
