Last Updated 4th of August, 2010

If I am younger than 18, can I operate boats and watercraft?

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Unless your boat is an aircraft carrier, you are eligible to operate most boats and personal watercraft (jet skis, wave runners) if you’re younger than the age of 18 (see accompanying grid).

Depending on your state and exact age, however, your boating eligibility may be contingent on adult supervision, and/or passing an approved boat safety course.

Boating Safety Course and Boaters License Requirements for Teens

Each state has different boating requirements, mainly geared for motorboats and watercraft. If you're a teen anxious to captain your own boat, most restrictions can be eliminated through passing a boater safety course.

These classes are generally conducted by state agencies and local Coast Guard units, requiring, at most, one or two days of your time. Once you earn a boat safety certificate, you're set for life. Unlike a boat license (only required in Alabama), there is no renewal requirement.

For help in finding a boating safety course near you, contact your state's boat-governing agency or a local marina.

Alabama No one younger than 12 may operate a motorized boat or PWC.
Alaska Operators younger than 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Arizona No one younger than 12 may operate a boat in excess of 8 horsepower unless accompanied by someone 18 or older.
Arkansas Boater safety course required for boaters younger than 18.
California Various restrictions apply to operators younger than 18.
Colorado Boaters younger than 14 cannot operate motorized boats or PWCs.
Connecticut Boaters younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult or pass a boat safety course.
Delaware No one younger than 14 may operate a PWC.
Florida You must be at least 14 to operate a PWC.
Georgia Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a PWC or any boat in excess of 30 horsepower.
Hawaii Boaters younger than 15 are prohibited from operating a PWC.
Idaho Limited age restrictions, except in the counties of Benewah, Kootenai, and Bonner.
Illinois Boaters younger than 10 are prohibited from operating motorized boats and PWCs.
Indiana Boaters younger than 15 are prohibited from operating a motorboat in excess of 10 horsepower.
Iowa Must be accompanied by someone 18 or older; boat education required for ages 12-17.
Kansas Must be accompanied by someone 17 years old or older who possesses a boater safety certificate.
Kentucky Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate PWCs or motorized boats in excess of 10 horsepower.
Louisiana Boaters younger than 13 are prohibited from operating PWCs.
Maine Boaters younger than 12 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older while operating a motorized boat in excess of 10 horsepower.
Maryland Limited age restrictions for motorboats; must be 16 to operate a PWC.
Massachusetts Boaters younger than 12 must be accompanied by someone 18 or older to operate a motorboat.
Michigan Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a motorized boat in excess of 35 horsepower.
Minnesota Boaters younger than 12 must be accompanied by someone 21 or older when operating a motorboat between 25-75 horsepower.
Mississippi Boaters younger than 12 must be accompanied by someone 21 or older.
Missouri Boaters younger than 14 must be accompanied by someone 16 or older.
Montana Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 10 horsepower unless accompanied by an adult 18 or older.
Nebraska Boaters younger than 14 are prohibited from operating motorboats.
Nevada Boaters younger than 14 cannot operate a PWC.
New Hampshire No age restriction for motorboats with less than 25 horsepower.
New Jersey Boaters must be at least 13 to operate vessels under 1 horsepower; must be at least 16 for motorboats and PWCs.
New Mexico Boaters younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
New York Boaters younger than 10 cannot operate a motorboat.
North Carolina Boaters younger than 14 cannot operate a PWC
North Dakota Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 10 horsepower unless accompanied by an adult 18 or older.
Ohio Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 10 horsepower unless under the supervision of an adult 18 or older.
Oklahoma Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 10 horsepower, a PWC, or a sailboat 16 feet or longer.
Oregon Boaters must be at least 12 to operate a motorboat.
Pennsylvania Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 25 horsepower.
Rhode Island Limited age restrictions; must be 16 to ride PWC.
South Carolina Boaters younger than 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
South Dakota Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 6 horsepower unless accompanied by an adult 18 or older.
Tennessee Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 8.5 horsepower unless accompanied by an adult 18 or older.
Texas Boaters younger than 18 must pass a boating safety course.
Utah Boaters younger than 16 cannot operate a motorboat unless accompanied by an adult 18 or older.
Vermont Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 6 horsepower.
Virginia No minimum age to operate a motorboat.
Washington Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a boat in excess of 15 horsepower.
West Virginia Boaters younger than 12 cannot operate a motorboat.
Wisconsin Boaters younger than 10 prohibited from operating motorboats.
Wyoming Boaters younger than 16 must accompanied by an adult.
Washington DC Boaters younger than 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 or older, or own a boater safety certificate to operate any boat 16 feet or longer.

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