Boater Card Rules

All states

Boating license rules in Texas

Anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 must complete a boater education course to operate a PWC, a motorboat over 15 horsepower, or a sailboat over 14 feet.1

The details

Engine size covered
More than 15 horsepower1
Personal watercraft (jet skis)
Children under 13 may not operate a PWC unless accompanied onboard by a person at least 18 legally authorized to operate a PWC.2
Minimum age to operate
A boater must be 13 to operate alone a vessel over 15 hp, a PWC, or a windblown vessel over 14 feet, and meet education requirements.2
Card and course cost
Fees start at $10 for a basic course and vary depending on in-person or online courses.2
Cards from other states
Texas recognizes and accepts NASBLA approved state courses from all 50 states and the US territories.2
Exemptions
A one-time 15 day boater education deferral may be purchased wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.2

The rules are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Sources

  1. Boater Education, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, checked 1 November 2026
  2. Boater Education FAQ, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, checked 1 November 2026

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