Do I Need a Boating License in My State?

Whether you drive a car, a motorcycle or a boat, you need to have a license to operate it. Or do you? When it comes to boating licenses, laws vary by state.

Most states require the operator of a boat to complete a boating education course to obtain a boating card or license. However, some states have particular boater licensing laws that are unique to them, and others don’t require boaters to hold a license at all. Here’s a list of states from A-L and whether or not they require a boating license. States from M-O and states from P-W are covered in separate posts.

NOTE: Laws, statutes and regulations are subject to change. The information listed below is current as of this publication (2021). However, you should always check your state’s boating laws for amendments. The laws listed below pertain to adults. Boating laws pertaining to children also vary by state.

Boating License Requirements List: States from A thru L

Alabama

Requires all boat operators to obtain a Vessel Operator’s License from the Alabama Department of Public Safety Driver’s License Examining Office. This adds class V (vessel) to the driving license.

Anyone born before April 28th, 1954 is exempt from this requirement. 

Alaska

Does not require boat operators to complete any boating education courses or to have a boating license.

Arizona

Does not require boat operators to complete any boating education courses or to have a boating license.

Arkansas

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating education course and carry a certificate or card proving completion.

Anyone born before January 1st, 1986 is exempt from this requirement. 

California

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating education course and carry a California Boater Card.

Colorado

Does not require boat operators over 15 to complete any boater education courses or to have a boater license. Requires all boat operators aged 14 to 15 to complete a boater safety course and carry a boater education card.

Connecticut

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating safety course and carry a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate (SBC). Any boat operator towing a water skier or other towed device must also have a Connecticut Safe Waterskiing Endorsement if they obtained the SBC after October 1st, 2015.

Delaware

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating safety course and carry a certificate or card proving completion.

Anyone born before January 1st, 1978 is exempt from this requirement.

Florida

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating safety course and carry a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card.

Anyone born before January 1st, 1988 is exempt from this requirement.

Georgia

Requires all boat operators to complete a boater education course and carry a card proving completion.

Anyone born before January 1st, 1998 is exempt from this requirement bust must carry a valid government issued ID such as a driving license.

Hawaii

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating safety course and carry a certificate or card proving completion.

Idaho

Does not require boat operators to complete any boating education courses or to have a boating license.

Illinois

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating education course and carry a Boating Safety Certificate.

Anyone born before January 1st, 1998 is exempt from this requirement.

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.

A BUI goes on the person’s driving license with the same effect as a DUI.

Iowa

Does not require boat operators over 17 to complete any boater education courses or to have a boater license. Requires all boat operators aged 12 to 17 to complete a boating education course and carry a certificate proving completion.

Kansas

Requires all boat operators born after January 1st, 1989 or under 21 years of age (regardless of birth date) to complete a boater education course and carry a certificate proving completion.

Kentucky

Does not require boat operators over 17 to complete any boater education courses or to have a boater license. Requires all boat operators aged 12 to 17 to complete a boater education course and carry a Kentucky Boating Education blue card.

Louisiana

Requires all boat operators to complete a boating education course and carry a certificate or card proving completion.

Anyone born before January 1st, 1984 is exempt from this requirement.

Do you need a boating license in your state? See the list of states from Maine to Oregon and states from Pennsylvania to Wyoming.