Operator Age and Education Requirements

The following operator age and boater education requirements apply to operation of vessels on Oklahoma public waters.

• A child under 12 years of age may not operate, under any circumstances, a vessel powered by a motor or combination of motors over 10 horsepower, a personal watercraft (PWC), or a sail-powered vessel 16 feet or more in length.
• A child 12 years of age or older but not yet 16 years of age may operate a vessel powered by a motor or combination of motors over 10 horsepower, a PWC, or a sail-powered vessel 16 feet or more in length only if all of the following conditions are met.
• He or she has successfully completed an approved boating safety education course or passed a proctored equivalency examination and has received a Boating Safety Education Certificate and…
• He or she is supervised by a competent person who is at least 18 years of age.
  • If the vessel is other than a PWC: The supervising person must be on board and in position to take immediate control of the vessel.
  • If the vessel is a PWC: The person must supervise visually within 500 yards of the PWC.