Who Needs a Boating License in Mississippi
Mississippi requires boater education for individuals born after June 30, 1980. The state-approved credential is the Boater Education Certificate issued through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) program known as Mississippi Boating Basics. Children as young as ten years old may take and complete the certification course, though operating a boat or personal watercraft requires supervision: anyone under twelve must be accompanied by a person aged twenty-one or older while operating.
The reciprocity status of out-of-state boater education cards in Mississippi should be confirmed directly with the MDWFP or the official state agency website, as this requirement may vary. Individuals planning to operate a boat or PWC in Mississippi are encouraged to verify current requirements and accepted credentials with the appropriate state regulatory authority before engaging in water activities.
| Detail | As the state publishes it |
|---|---|
| Education card required? | Education card required |
| Who needs it | born after June 30, 1980 |
| Minimum operating age | under 12 must be accompanied by a person 21+ to operate a boat or PWC; minimum age 10 to take/certify |
| Accepted credential | MDWFP-approved Boater Education Certificate (Mississippi Boating Basics) |
| Reciprocity (other states' cards) | Verify on the official state agency page |
| Rental / livery rule | Verify on the official state agency page |
| Fees | free (MDWFP course free of charge) |
| Administering agency | Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) |
Do you need a licence in Mississippi? → · How to get licensed →
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.