Boating Course & Fees in Montana
Montana residents aged 12 and older operating a motorboat must complete an approved boater-safety course to obtain a Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate. The course is NASBLA-approved and meets federal standards for boating education.
Several options are available for completing the requirement. The USCG Auxiliary and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offer free home-study courses, as does the BoatUS Foundation. Commercial online courses through various vendors typically charge between approximately $40 and $55, though pricing varies by provider. Individuals should consult the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks official website to confirm current course costs and approved vendors before enrollment.
| Detail | As the state publishes it |
|---|---|
| Accepted credential / course | Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate (NASBLA-approved course) |
| Fees | free (USCG Auxiliary/FWP home-study and BoatUS course free; commercial online ~$40-55) |
| Card required? | Required for some operators |
Course costs vs. card fees
Two different prices are at play: the boater-safety course (often free or low-cost, set by the approved vendor) and any state card or processing fee. Several states offer a free NASBLA-approved course — for example through the BoatUS Foundation — so the card can cost little beyond a small state fee. Vendor prices change, so confirm the current course list and fees on the official state agency page.
Step-by-step: how to get licensed → · Do you need a licence? →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.