How to Get a Boating License in Missouri
Boaters born after January 1, 1984, are required to carry a Missouri Boater Identification and Certification Card. Those born on or before that date are not subject to this requirement, though they may choose to take a course voluntarily.
To obtain the card, a person must complete a course approved by both the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The course covers essential boating safety topics and concludes with a test that must be passed to earn the certification. Once passed, the boater receives the card, which should be carried at all times while operating a vessel.
Current approved course providers and any updates to requirements are maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division. Individuals should consult the official state agency website to confirm the list of accepted courses and verify any recent changes to the rules before enrolling.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: Missouri Boater Identification/Certification Card (NASBLA- and MSHP-approved course).
- 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 Missouri → · Full requirements →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.