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…
Do you need a boating license in Mississippi in 2026-2027? Yes—if you were born after June 30, 1980 and you operate a boat or personal watercraft in Mississippi, you should expect to need approved boater education and carry proof while on the water. In practice, most recreational users think of this as a boating license,…
Do you need a boating license in Minnesota in 2026-2027? Yes—if you are at least 12 and fall inside Minnesota’s phased-in age schedule for motorboat and personal watercraft operators. From July 1, 2026, the permit requirement applies to people born after June 30, 2000. From July 1, 2027, it expands again to people born after…
Do you need a boating license in Michigan in 2026-2027? Usually, what you need is a boating safety certificate, not a separate statewide operator license. If you were born on or after July 1, 1996, you generally need the certificate to operate a motorboat over 6 horsepower. Personal watercraft riders face stricter age rules, and…
Do You Need a Boating License in Massachusetts in 2026–2027? Yes — as of April 1, 2026, a valid Boater Safety Certificate is required to legally operate any motorboat or personal watercraft (PWC) in Massachusetts. This applies to all ages, with a phased rollout based on birth year under the Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act. You…