Boating rules, laws and regulations vary from state to state. Use our interactive map to find everything you need to know about boating safety, life jacket requirements, minimum age necessary to operate a boat or personal watercraft (PWC), trailer registration requirements, and other educational resources. Just click on your state to get started. Also be sure to use the Color-Coded Key below to understand boating license and safety certificate requirements for your state.
Last Updated: July 8, 2021
Ready to get underway? Boating is more accessible than you may think. There are lots of easy ways to get on the water close to home—rentals, boat clubs and peer-to-peer sharing options.
*To make updates on your state's information, state officials should contact Emma Boone, Director, NMMA Digital Communications. Alabama
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Alabama, visit the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Alaska
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Alaska, visit the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of Boating Safety. Arizona
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Arizona, visit Arizona Game & Fish. Arkansas
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. California
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in California, visit the California Department of Parks & Recreation. Colorado
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Colorado, visit Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Connecticut
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Connecticut, visit the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environment Protection. Delaware
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Delaware, visit the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control. Florida
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Florida, visit the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Georgia
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Georgia, visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Hawaii
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Hawaii, visit the Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation. Idaho
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Idaho, visit the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation. Illinois
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Indiana
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Indiana, visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Iowa
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Iowa, visit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Kansas
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Kansas, visit Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. Kentucky
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Kentucky, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Louisiana
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Louisiana, visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Maine
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Maine, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. Maryland
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Maryland, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Massachusetts
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Massachusetts, visit the Massachusetts Boating Law Summary. Michigan
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Michigan, visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Minnesota
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Mississippi
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Mississippi, visit the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Missouri
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Missouri, visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Montana
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Montana, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Nebraska
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Nebraska, visit Nebraska Game & Parks. Nevada
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Nevada, visit the Nevada Department of Wildlife. New Hampshire
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in New Hampshire, visit the New Hampshire Department of Safety. New Jersey
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in New Jersey, visit the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety, Marine Services Bureau. New Mexico
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in New Mexico, visit the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish. New York
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in New York, visit the New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. North Carolina
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in North Carolina, visit the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. North Dakota
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in North Dakota, visit the North Dakota Game & Fish Department. Ohio
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Ohio, visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Oklahoma
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Oklahoma, visit the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Oregon
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Oregon, visit the Oregon State Marine Board. Pennsylvania
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Pennsylvania, visit Pennsylvania Fishing Laws & Regulations. Rhode Island
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Rhode Island, visit the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. South Carolina
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. South Dakota
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in South Dakota, visit South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. Tennessee
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Tennessee, visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Texas
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Texas, visit Texas Parks & Wildlife. Utah
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Utah, visit the Utah State Parks Office. Vermont
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Vermont, visit the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Virginia
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Washington
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Washington, visit the Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office. West Virginia
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in West Virginia, visit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Wisconsin
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Wyoming
For more information about detailed boating rules, regulations, and laws in Wyoming, visit the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. |