How to Get a Boating License in Mississippi
Mississippi requires boater education for certain operators on state waterways. Individuals born after June 30, 1980, must obtain a boater education certificate before operating a motorboat. Those who fall outside this age requirement should confirm their status with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.
To obtain the credential, an applicant must complete an NASBLA-approved boater education course and pass the associated exam. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks approves specific courses and maintains the current list of accepted providers. Prospective students should visit the official MDWFP website to review available course options and verify which programs meet state requirements.
Once the test is passed, the applicant receives the Mississippi Boating Basics certificate. This card must be carried while operating a motorboat on Mississippi waters. The official MDWFP website provides the most current information on course offerings, eligibility requirements, and all applicable boating regulations.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: MDWFP-approved Boater Education Certificate (Mississippi Boating Basics).
- Pass the test and receive your card or certificate.
- Carry it aboard whenever you operate, and confirm the current rule on the official state page.
Carry the card every time you operate
Once you’ve earned the card, keep it aboard whenever you operate — many states require you to show it on request, and a card from one state is usually honored in another. If you’ll boat across state lines, check each state’s rule, since the covered ages and accepted credentials differ. Always confirm the current requirement on the official state agency page.
Course & fees for Mississippi → · Full requirements →
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.