Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Boat Operator Certification
Do I need any kind of certification before I can
operate a boat recreationally in Massachusetts?
- Youth ages 12 through 15 are required to pass a
state-approved boating education course before
they can operate a motorboat of any horsepower
without an adult on board. An adult is defined
as a competent person 18 years of age or older.
The same requirements apply to 16- and 17-
year-olds who want to operate a personal watercraft
(PWC). For all boaters 16 years of age and
older, Massachusetts currently has no education
requirement to operate a boat (other than a PWC)
legally. Other important information regarding certification
can be found in this manual.
What about other states where I might visit and
operate a boat?
- Throughout New England and states across the
country, there are many different versions and forms
of mandatory education, ranging from certification
of all operators, regardless of age, to no requirement
at all. You, as a visitor to the state, should be aware
of, and in compliance with, the boating laws of that
state. Go to www.nasbla.org and link to the state
that you intend to visit in order to find their requirements.
How do I go about getting certified to operate
my boat in Massachusetts, and will my
Massachusetts certification be accepted in the
states I visit?
- The Environmental Police, as well as various organizations
and businesses, offer state and nationally
approved courses throughout the Commonwealth.
Call us or go to our website at: www.state.ma.us/
dfwele/dle/courselist.htm to see our schedule and
link to the course schedules of other approved
providers. It’s important to contact other states to
determine exactly what certification they will accept.
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