Boater Card Rules

All states

Boating license rules in Arizona

Statute requires no boater education card. Under 12 may not run a watercraft with a motor over eight horsepower without a parent, guardian or adult 18 or older aboard.1

The details

Engine size covered
Under 12 limit applies to motors of greater than eight horsepower.1
Minimum age to operate
Under 12 may not operate a watercraft with a motor over eight horsepower unless a parent, guardian or person 18 or older is aboard, except in emergencies.1
Exemptions
Emergencies are excepted from the under 12 operating limit.1

The official pages we read do not say: personal watercraft (jet skis), card and course cost, cards from other states. Ask the agency.

The rules are set by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Sources

  1. A.R.S. 5-341 Negligent operation of watercraft or water skis; restriction in operation of watercraft, Arizona State Legislature, checked 1 November 2026
  2. HB 2149 House engrossed summary (2024), Arizona House of Representatives, checked 1 November 2026

Checked 1 November 2026. "Secondary" marks a source we used only because the official page could not be read.