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Am I required to take a boating safety course?
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With the expanding popularity of boats and personal watercraft (PWC), state authorities are placing greater emphasis on boaters safety. In addition to boat registration regulations and the usual onboard lifejacket requirements, most states now mandate completion of a boating safety course and/or carrying proof of a boaters license.
The accompanying grid breaks down the boating safety course requirements for every state and the District of Columbia.
Boat Safety and the Boat License or Boater Safety Course
Before grabbing the wheel of your boat or PWC, be sure you're current with your state's boater safety requirements. In the past, boat safety classes were only required for teenagers, but now many states mandate boater safety courses for all ages.The accompanying grid breaks down the boating safety course requirements for every state and the District of Columbia.
| Mandatory Boat Class | No Class Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | x | Required for all boat operators. | |
| Alaska | x | ||
| Arizona | x | ||
| Arkansas | x | Boating Education Card required if born after 1985. | |
| California | x | ||
| Colorado | x | Required for boating operators 14-15 years old. | |
| Connecticut | x | Required for all boat operators. | |
| Delaware | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1978. | |
| Florida | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1988 who operate a vessel powered by 10 or more horsepower. | |
| Georgia | x | Mandatory for boat operators 12-15 years old. | |
| Hawaii | x | ||
| Idaho | x | ||
| Illinois | x | Mandatory for boat operators 12-17 years old. | |
| Indiana | x | Mandatory for boat operators 15 or younger. | |
| Iowa | x | Mandatory for boaters ages 12-17, for vessels in excess of 10 horsepower. | |
| Kansas | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1989. | |
| Kentucky | x | Mandatory for boaters 12-17 years old, unless accompanied by someone older than 18. | |
| Louisiana | x | Mandatory for boaters born after January 1, 1988. | |
| Maine | x | ||
| Maryland | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after July 1, 1972. | |
| Massachusetts | x | Mandatory for all boaters 12-15 years old. | |
| Michigan | x | Mandatory for all boaters 12-15 years old when operating a boat of 6 or more horsepower. | |
| Minnesota | x | Required for boaters 12-17 years old for boats in excess of 25 horsepower. | |
| Mississippi | x | Mandatory for all boaters born after June 30, 1980. | |
| Missouri | x | Mandatory for all boaters born after January 1, 1984. | |
| Montana | x | Required for boaters 13-14 years old. | |
| Nebraska | x | Required for all boaters younger than 18. | |
| Nevada | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1983. | |
| New Hampshire | x | Required for all boaters. | |
| New Jersey | x | Required for all boaters. | |
| New Mexico | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1989. | |
| New York | x | Required for unaccompanied boaters 12-17 years old. | |
| North Carolina | x | Required for unaccompanied boaters 14-15 years old | |
| North Dakota | x | Required for unaccompanied boaters 12-15 years old | |
| Ohio | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1982, for boats in excess of 10 horsepower. | |
| Oklahoma | x | Required for boaters 12-16 years old for boats in excess of 10 horsepower, PWC, or sailboat 16 feet or longer. | |
| Oregon | x | Mandatory for all boaters operating a boat in excess of 10 horsepower. | |
| Pennsylvania | x | Required for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1982 for boats in excess of 25 horsepower and for all PWC operators. | |
| Rhode Island | x | Mandatory for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1986 for boats in excess of 10 horsepower. | |
| South Carolina | x | Required for all boaters younger than 16 for boats in excess of 15 horsepower. | |
| South Dakota | x | ||
| Tennessee | x | Required for all boaters born after January 1, 1989. | |
| Texas | x | Required for all boaters born after August 31, 1984. | |
| Utah | x | Mandatory for PWC operators, 12-17 years old. | |
| Vermont | x | Required for all boaters born after January 1, 1974. | |
| Virginia | x | Required for all boaters (law is currently being phased in by age). | |
| Washington | x | Required for all boaters 12 year old or older for boats in excess of 15 horsepower (law is currently being phased in). | |
| West Virginia | x | Required for all boaters born on or after December 31, 1986. | |
| Wisconsin | x | Required for all boaters born on or after January 1, 1989. | |
| Wyoming | x | ||
| Washington DC | x | Required for all boaters younger than 18, for boats 16 or more feet in length. |
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