Reference Guide to State Boating Laws

The Reference Guide to State Boating Laws answers a number of questions related to recreational boating safety public law. Topics covered include boating education, operator age, water skiing, boat noise, numbering & titling, personal watercraft, boating under the influence, personal flotation devices and more.

The data in the guide was supplied by the states and collectively updated during 2007. Data can also be updated by boating law administrators (or designates) for the individual states.

The information is subject to change at any time and facts should be verified with the BLAs if there are any questions.

To access the data, select a topic area or state name.

TOPIC AREA
Commercial Vessels
White Water
Search & Rescue
Boating Education Requirements
Education Exemptions
Exams and License/Certificate Issuance
Providers of Education Courses
Minors, Powerboats Personal Watercraft
Minimum Ages for Education Certification
Mandatory Boat Operator Licensing
Minimum Ages for Non-PWC Vessels
Minimum Ages for Non-Powered Vessels
Education Reciprocity
Wallet-Sized Certificates
Challenge Exams
Online Courses & Proctoring
Water Skiing
Water Skiing
Motorboat Noise
Marine Sanitation Devices
Marine Sanitation Devices
Personal Watercraft Operation
Personal Watercrafts and Skiers
Personal Watercraft Restrictions
Life Jackets
Blood Alcohol Content
Boating Under the Influence
BUI Saturation Patrols & Checkpoints
Alcohol Testing for BUI
Test Usage in Criminal Evidence
Field Sobriety Tests
Negligent Operation of a Vessel
Portable BUI Equipment
Probable Cause
Towing Distressed Vessels
Liability Insurance
On-Water Pursuits
Transporting Subjects, Accident Victims, Guests
Officer Safety
Towing Distressed Vessels
First Responders, First Aid, Good Samaritans, Search and Rescue
Inter-agency Interaction
Investigation of Theft & Fraud
Employment
Firearms
Deadly Force
Volunteers
BUI Checkpoints
Patrol Time
Carrying Emergency Equipment
 
STATE
Alaska
American Samoa
Arizona
Arkansas
Australia
British Columbia
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Manitoba (Canada)
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio
Oklahoma
Ontario (Canada)
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Puerto Rico
Quebec (Canada)
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virgin Islands
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming