
How to Secure a U.S. Boater Education Card in 2026
Oregon requires a boater education card to operate motorized vessels with more than 10 horsepower, and many other states use a birth-year cutoff to determine who must carry a certificate.
As of January 1, 2025, California requires every person operating a motorized vessel on state waterways to hold a California Boater Card, regardless of age, creating immediate compliance responsibilities for charter operators, marinas, rental businesses, and private boat owners.