How to Get a Boating License in Texas
Boaters born on or after September 1, 1993, are required to carry a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department-certified boater education certificate if they operate a motorboat over 15 horsepower, a personal watercraft, or a wind-blown vessel over 14 feet. Those who do not fall within this birth-year requirement should confirm their eligibility status through the official Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website.
Eligible boaters must complete an approved boater education course and pass the associated test. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department maintains a current list of NASBLA-approved courses available online. Once the course is successfully completed and the test is passed, boaters must carry the education certificate along with a valid photo ID while operating a covered vessel.
For the most up-to-date information on approved course providers, specific requirements, and any recent changes to Texas boating education rules, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's official website should be consulted.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: TPWD-certified boater education course certificate (must carry valid photo ID).
- 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 Texas → · Full requirements →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.