Boater Card Rules

All states

Boating license rules in North Dakota

Youth ages 12 to 15 who want to operate by themselves a boat or personal watercraft with at least a 10 horsepower motor must take the course.1

The details

Engine size covered
At least a 10 horsepower motor1
Personal watercraft (jet skis)
PWC operation by youth 12 to 15 alone requires the course. No separate PWC minimum age is stated.1
Minimum age to operate
North Dakota law does not allow a youngster to operate a watercraft until age 12.1
Card and course cost
There is no charge for the home-study course. The online course has a fee.1

The official pages we read do not say: cards from other states, exemptions. Ask the agency.

The rules are set by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Sources

  1. Boating and Water Safety Education, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, checked 1 November 2026

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