Boating Age by State (2026)
A 50-state comparison of minimum operator age.
Boating regulations are summarized on your device - nothing is uploadedThis table aggregates the minimum operator age across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Select any state to open its full seven-dimension summary.
| State | Minimum operator age |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 12 (with adult; 14 unsupervised) |
| Alaska | No minimum (supervision required under 16) |
| Arizona | No minimum (lake-specific rules) |
| Arkansas | 16 |
| California | 16 (or 12-15 with course plus supervision) |
| Colorado | No minimum (supervision under 16) |
| Connecticut | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Delaware | 16 (or 14-15 with course) |
| District of Columbia | No boating-specific minimum (tidal parks rules) |
| Florida | 14 (with ID; under 14 supervised) |
| Georgia | 16 (or 12-15 with course) |
| Hawaii | No minimum (supervision under 15) |
| Idaho | No minimum (supervision under 14) |
| Illinois | 10 with course; unsupervised 18 for motors over 10 hp |
| Indiana | 15 with certificate; 12-14 with adult |
| Iowa | No minimum (supervision under 18 for motors over 10 hp) |
| Kansas | 12 with adult; 16 unsupervised |
| Kentucky | 16 (or 12-15 with course) |
| Louisiana | 16 (or 14-15 with course) |
| Maine | 16 (or 12-15 with course plus adult) |
| Maryland | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Massachusetts | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Michigan | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Minnesota | 12 with certificate; 13-17 with adult |
| Mississippi | 14 (or 12-13 with adult) |
| Missouri | 14 with certificate; under 14 with adult |
| Montana | No minimum (supervision under 13) |
| Nebraska | No minimum (supervision under 14) |
| Nevada | 14 with certificate |
| New Hampshire | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| New Jersey | 16 (or 13-15 with certificate) |
| New Mexico | No minimum (supervision under 15) |
| New York | 10 with certificate; 18 for PWC unsupervised |
| North Carolina | 16 (or 14-15 with certificate) |
| North Dakota | No minimum (supervision under 12) |
| Ohio | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Oklahoma | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Oregon | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Pennsylvania | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Rhode Island | 16 (or 14-15 with certificate) |
| South Carolina | 16 (or 14-15 with certificate) |
| South Dakota | No minimum (supervision under 14) |
| Tennessee | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Texas | 13 with certificate; under 13 with adult |
| Utah | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Vermont | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Virginia | 16 (or 14-15 with certificate) |
| Washington | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| West Virginia | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Wisconsin | 16 (or 12-15 with certificate) |
| Wyoming | No minimum (supervision under 16) |
Values are examples compiled for quick reference. Confirm the current rule with the state natural resources or wildlife agency before you boat.
All states
Alabama Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Alaska Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Arizona Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Arkansas Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)California Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Colorado Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Connecticut Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Delaware Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)District of Columbia Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Florida Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Georgia Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Hawaii Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Idaho Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Illinois Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Indiana Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Iowa Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Kansas Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Kentucky Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Louisiana Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Maine Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Maryland Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Massachusetts Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Michigan Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Minnesota Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Mississippi Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Missouri Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Montana Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Nebraska Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Nevada Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)New Hampshire Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)New Jersey Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)New Mexico Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)New York Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)North Carolina Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)North Dakota Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Ohio Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Oklahoma Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Oregon Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Pennsylvania Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Rhode Island Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)South Carolina Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)South Dakota Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Tennessee Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Texas Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Utah Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Vermont Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Virginia Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Washington Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)West Virginia Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Wisconsin Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Wyoming Boating Laws: Age, Life Jackets, BAC and Registration (2026)Boating Laws by State (2026)Boating Age by State (2026)Life Jacket Laws by State (2026)Boating Education Requirement by State (2026)Boating BAC Laws by State (2026)Boat Registration Laws by State (2026)Boat Insurance Laws by State (2026)Personal Watercraft Laws by State (2026)