Who Needs a Boating License in North Dakota
In North Dakota, a boater-education card is required only for a specific age group. Operators ages 12 to 15 who operate a motorboat or personal watercraft (PWC) with more than 10 horsepower must complete an approved course and obtain a boater-education card. Operators age 16 and older are exempt from this requirement. The minimum operating age for motorboats and PWCs over 10 horsepower is 12 years old; however, operators under 12 may legally operate such vessels only when accompanied by a person age 18 or older.
The acceptable credential is completion of a Boat North Dakota course through a Department-approved provider, resulting in an official boater-education card. Reciprocity policies with other states should be confirmed directly on the official North Dakota state agency website, as regulations and agreements may change. Operators should verify all current requirements with the relevant state agency before operating on North Dakota waters.
| Detail | As the state publishes it |
|---|---|
| Education card required? | Required for some operators |
| Who needs it | none (age-based): only operators ages 12-15 operating alone a motorboat/PWC over 10 hp; 16+ exempt |
| Minimum operating age | 12 (under 12 may operate motorboat/PWC over 10 hp only if accompanied by a person 18+); same for PWC |
| Accepted credential | Boat North Dakota course completion / boater education card (Department-approved course) |
| Reciprocity (other states' cards) | Verify on the official state agency page |
| Rental / livery rule | Vessels under 26 ft rented under 24 hrs may keep the certificate of number ashore but the rental agreement must be aboard; no separate operator-education exemption stated for renters |
| Fees | home-study paper manual + mail-in exam free; online course paid (provider-set); no state card fee |
| Administering agency | North Dakota Game and Fish Department |
Do you need a licence in North Dakota? → · 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 North Dakota Game and Fish Department page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.