Boating License Requirements in Mississippi
Mississippi requires boater education for operators born after June 30, 1980. The credential is an MDWFP-approved Boater Education Certificate, obtained through the Mississippi Boating Basics course. Individuals under age 12 must be accompanied by a person 21 or older to operate a boat or personal watercraft, though certification may be pursued starting at age 10.
Boating regulations and education requirements are subject to change and vary by specific circumstances. Affected boaters should verify the current requirements and any reciprocity rules for out-of-state credentials directly on the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks official website or by contacting the agency before operating a vessel.
| Detail | As the state publishes it |
|---|---|
| Education card required? | Education card required |
| Who needs it | born after June 30, 1980 |
| Minimum operating age | under 12 must be accompanied by a person 21+ to operate a boat or PWC; minimum age 10 to take/certify |
| Accepted credential | MDWFP-approved Boater Education Certificate (Mississippi Boating Basics) |
| Reciprocity (other states' cards) | Verify on the official state agency page |
| Rental / livery rule | Verify on the official state agency page |
| Fees | free (MDWFP course free of charge) |
| Administering agency | Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) |
Confirm before you operate. This is informational only, not legal advice. The official state boating-law agency page is the authoritative source for who needs a card and how to get it.
What a boater-education card proves
A boater-education card shows you’ve passed a NASBLA-approved safety course covering navigation rules, required equipment and emergencies — it is not a driver’s-license-style test of skill. Most states accept an approved card from any state, but who must carry one, and from what age, is set state by state. Check the rule below, then confirm it on the official state agency page before you head out.
Full requirements for Mississippi → · Course & fees → · How to get licensed →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.