Do You Need a Boating License in North Dakota? If you’re trying to figure out whether North Dakota requires a boating license in 2026-2027, here’s the short answer: most adults do not need a general boating license. North Dakota’s mandatory boater education rule is mainly for operators ages 12-15 who want to run a motorboat…
Do you need a boating license in North Carolina? Yes—if you were born on or after January 1, 1988 and you operate a boat with a motor of 10 HP or greater, you must meet North Carolina’s boating safety education requirement. In practice, that usually means carrying a boating education certificate/card, not a traditional plastic…
Do you need a boating license in New York in 2026-2027? Yes—if you operate a motorized vessel in New York in 2026 or 2027, you need a boating safety certificate under Brianna’s Law. You must be at least 10 to operate a mechanically propelled recreational vessel, and at least 14 to operate a personal watercraft…
Do You Need a Boating License in New Mexico? New Mexico does not issue a traditional “boating license.” The state requires a Boater Education Card for anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 who operates a motorboat, sailboat (13 ft or longer), or personal watercraft. The card is good for life, costs $39.95–$54.95 through…
Do You Need a Boating License in New Jersey? If you operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in New Jersey in 2026-2027, you usually need a boating safety credential. On tidal waters, most operators need a New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate. On non-tidal waters, most operators need both the certificate and the MVC boat license…
Do You Need a Boating License in New Hampshire? If you plan to operate a motorboat with more than 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters in 2026-2027, yes, you generally need a boating credential—but it is not a traditional driver-style license. New Hampshire requires a Safe Boater Education Certificate for operators age 16 and older…
Do you need a boating license in Nevada? Not a traditional one. Nevada generally uses a boater education card, not a standard recreational boating license. If you were born on or after January 1, 1983 and you operate a motorboat over 15 horsepower on Nevada interstate waters, you need NDOW-approved boating education. For personal watercraft…
Do you need a boating license in Nebraska in 2026-2027? Yes, if you operate a motorboat or personal watercraft in Nebraska and you were born after Dec. 31, 1985, you must complete the state boating safety course and carry proof while operating. Nebraska does not issue a traditional boating license like a driver’s license; what…
Do You Need a Boating License in Montana? No, Montana does not require a general adult boating license in 2026-2027. The state only mandates a Motorboat Operator’s Safety Certificate for operators ages 13 and 14 driving motorized vessels or personal watercraft above 10 horsepower. Operators 15 and older can legally run any boat without an…
Do you need a boating license in Missouri in 2026-2027? Yes—if you were born after January 1, 1984 and you operate a motorized vessel on Missouri lakes, you generally need Missouri boating education compliance, usually in the form of a Boating Safety Identification Card. Most operators can buy the course online, pass the exam, and…