Boating License Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee requires boating education on a partial basis. Individuals born after January 1, 1989 must obtain a TWRA Boating Safety Certificate by passing the Boating Safety Exam before operating a vessel with a motor over 8.5 horsepower. A NASBLA-approved certificate from another state is accepted. The requirement does not apply if an adult aged 18 or older who was born before January 1, 1989 is aboard and assumes operational control of the vessel.
Additional operating restrictions apply in Tennessee regardless of certification status. Children under 12 years old are prohibited from operating any motorized vessel unless the motor is 8.5 horsepower or less. Personal watercraft rental is not available to anyone under 16 years of age. Since boating regulations are subject to change, operators should confirm current requirements with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) or its official website before operating a vessel.
| Detail | As the state publishes it |
|---|---|
| Education card required? | Required for some operators |
| Who needs it | born after January 1, 1989 (operating a vessel over 8.5 hp); exempt if an adult 18+ born before Jan 1 1989 is aboard to take control |
| Minimum operating age | under 12 may not operate a motorized vessel unless 8.5 hp or less; PWC rental not to anyone under 16 |
| Accepted credential | TWRA Boating Safety Certificate via the Boating Safety Exam; NASBLA-approved certificate accepted |
| Reciprocity (other states' cards) | yes |
| Rental / livery rule | PWC may not be rented to anyone under 16; rental/livery operators provide instruction per state rules |
| Fees | $10.00 boating-safety exam permit |
| Administering agency | Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) |
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 Tennessee → · 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 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.