Boater Card Rules

All states

Boating license rules in Iowa

Persons 12 to 17 may operate a motorboat over ten horsepower or a PWC only after an approved course, or with an experienced person 18 or older aboard.1

The details

Engine size covered
Over ten horsepower1
Personal watercraft (jet skis)
The same 12 to 17 rule applies to personal watercraft. No separate PWC minimum age is stated.1
Card and course cost
Boat-Ed+ course access is $79.95, plus a $5 State Fee. Other course prices not listed.1
Exemptions
Operators 12 to 17 may instead be accompanied on board by an experienced person at least 18.1

The official pages we read do not say: minimum age to operate, cards from other states. Ask the agency.

The rules are set by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Sources

  1. Boater Education and Safety, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, checked 1 November 2026

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