How to Get a Boating License in Vermont
Vermont requires boater education for certain operators. Individuals born after January 1, 1974 should confirm whether they fall within the population required to obtain a Vermont Certificate of Boating Education. Current course requirements and the official list of accepted providers should be verified through the Vermont State Police Marine Division or the Vermont Department of Public Safety, which oversees boating regulations in the state.
To obtain the certificate, candidates must complete an NASBLA-approved boating education course and pass the associated test. The Boat Vermont course is among the accepted options. Upon successful completion, individuals receive the Vermont Certificate of Boating Education, which must be carried while operating a boat. For the most current information on approved courses, eligibility requirements, and any recent regulatory changes, the Vermont State Police Marine Division website or the Vermont Department of Public Safety should be consulted directly.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: Vermont Certificate of Boating Education (Boat Vermont course, NASBLA-approved).
- 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 Vermont → · Full requirements →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Vermont State Police Marine Division (Dept. of Public Safety); boater education via Vermont Fish & Wildlife Dept. page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. This state's row is currently medium-confidence (one or more fields await an official-page confirmation), so treat the details below as a starting point only. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.