United States
- Who issues it
- Recreational issuers are California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The United States Coast Guard, National Maritime Center issues Merchant Mariner Credentials. The Federal Communications Commission issues radio licences.
- Buoyage
- IALA region B
- Collision rules
- Navigation Rules, International-Inland
Do you need a licence?
It depends on your state or territory; a boater education card, safety certificate or operator licence may be required.
Check the local boating authority for age rules, boat limits, exemptions and personal watercraft requirements.
California Boater Card
- What it lets you do
- Education card for motorized vessels on California waterways. Required for all ages since 2025, with exemptions.
- How you get it
- Complete an approved boating-safety course and pass its exam.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Texas 15-Day Boater Education Deferral
From 18- What it lets you do
- One-time education deferral for 15 consecutive days from purchase. Does not allow the holder to supervise another operator.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Texas Boater Education Certification Card
From 12
- What it lets you do
- Born on/after 1 Sep 1993: boats over 15 hp, sailboats over 14 ft and PWCs on public waters; exemptions apply. Solo operation starts at 13.
- How you get it
- Approved course exam: at least 70%; alternatively, a multiple-choice equivalency exam: at least 80%.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Florida Temporary Certificate
- What it lets you do
- 90-day education proof for operators born on/after 1 Jan 1988 using vessels of 10 hp or more; exemptions apply. Carry photo ID too.
- How you get it
- Pass an FWC-approved temporary-certificate examination.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card
- What it lets you do
- Lifetime education proof for operators born on/after 1 Jan 1988 using vessels of 10 hp or more; exemptions apply. Carry photo ID too.
- How you get it
- Complete an FWC-approved boating-safety course meeting NASBLA minimum requirements.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
New York State Safe Boating Certificate
From 10
- What it lets you do
- Education proof for motorboats, including PWCs, on New York waters; exemptions apply. Course graduates first receive a 90-day temporary certificate.
- How you get it
- Approved online courses include exams; classroom courses require at least 8 hours of instruction.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Pennsylvania Temporary Boating Safety Education Certificate
- What it lets you do
- Interim proof issued after an approved online course, valid for up to 60 days while the permanent certificate is processed.
- How you get it
- Successfully complete a PFBC-approved online boating course.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate
- What it lets you do
- Required for PWCs and, if born on/after 1 Jan 1982, motorboats over 25 hp. Minimum operator age for these vessels is 12.
- How you get it
- Complete a PFBC-approved boating course and its exam; question count and pass mark were not confirmed.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
More exam guides
US boating license: state boater education cards
There's no single US boating license. Florida, California, New York and Texas each have their own boating education card or certificate, which shows you meet that state's education requirement when it applies. You must still follow the state's age, safety and local operating rules.
USCG OUPV (Six-Pack) — USA
The OUPV (Six-Pack) is the USCG's entry-level officer endorsement on a Merchant Mariner Credential, for up to six paying passengers.
Professional deck titles
Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- STCW deck rating assisting the navigational watch on seagoing vessels of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Able Seafarer-Deck
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- STCW deck rating requiring navigational-watch qualification and additional deck competencies.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Third Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- National officer grade; II/1 refers to the separate STCW Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch endorsement.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Second Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- National grade above Third Mate; II/1 refers to the separate STCW navigational-watch officer endorsement.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Mate of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- National senior deck officer grade; II/2 refers to the corresponding STCW Chief Mate endorsement.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master of ocean or near-coastal self-propelled vessels of unlimited tonnage
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- National command endorsement for the stated route; II/2 refers to the corresponding STCW Master endorsement.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
- What it lets you do
- Marine radiotelephone operation where a restricted operator permit is required.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit-Limited Use
- What it lets you do
- For marine use, limited to the holder's own licensed radio station.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Marine Radio Operator Permit
- What it lets you do
- Radio operation on specified compulsory-radio cargo, passenger and Great Lakes ships.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
General Radiotelephone Operator License
- What it lets you do
- Higher-power marine radiotelephone operation and authorized transmitter adjustments.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License
ROC- What it lets you do
- GMDSS operation on qualifying passenger ships staying within 20 nautical miles of shore.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS Radio Operator's License
GOC- What it lets you do
- GMDSS ship radio operation requiring a general operator certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License
- What it lets you do
- GMDSS radio equipment maintenance.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS Radio Operator/Maintainer License
- What it lets you do
- Combined GMDSS operation and maintenance.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radiotelegraph Operator License
- What it lets you do
- Ship radiotelegraph operation, with applicable radio-officer requirements.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ship Radar Endorsement
- What it lets you do
- Additional endorsement for adjustments and servicing that affect ship radar operation.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
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Official sources: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways — California Boater Card FAQs · Texas Parks and Wildlife Department — Texas Water Safety Act, September 2025–August 2027, including 31 TAC 51.81 · Florida Legislature — 2026 Florida Statutes, section 327.395, Boating safety education · New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation — Boating Education · Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission — 2026 Pennsylvania Boating Handbook · United States Coast Guard — Electronic Submission of Mariner Course Completion Data, final rule, 89 FR 93040 · Federal Communications Commission / Government Publishing Office — 47 CFR Part 80, Stations in the Maritime Services · NOAA Office of Coast Survey — United States Coast Pilot 9, 2026 edition, updated 1 November 2026