Boater Card Rules

All states

Boating license rules in Washington

To operate a motor driven boat of 15 horsepower or greater you must be at least 12 and hold a boater education card. Those born before 1955 are exempt.1

The details

Engine size covered
15 horsepower or greater1
Minimum age to operate
At least 12 with a card, or accompanied and supervised by a person at least 16 with a boater education card.1
Card and course cost
The fee for a boater education card is $10.1
Exemptions
Renters at least 12 who complete a commission approved checklist, and anyone born before January 1, 1955.1

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

The rules are set by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Sources

  1. Senate Bill Report SB 5597 (2023), Washington State Legislature, checked 1 November 2026

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