Yes, if you were born on or after September 1, 1993, you need a boating safety certificate to rent and operate a boat in Texas. There is no exemption to this requirement for renters. To get the Texas boating license, you can take a TPWD-Approved Boater Education Course like Recademics.
If you were born on or after September 1, 1993, you need a Boater Education Certificate to rent or operate most boats in Texas.
The certificate is required for motorboats over 15 horsepower, personal watercraft (like jet skis), and sailboats over 14 feet.
You can complete the Texas-approved boater safety course online through Recademics—it’s fast, affordable, and valid for life.
Yes, if you were born on or after September 1, 1993, you need a boating safety certificate to rent and operate a boat in Texas. While the state doesn’t require a traditional boating license, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) mandates that most operators complete an approved boater education course and carry a Boater Education Certificate.
This applies to anyone renting or operating:
A boat with more than 15 horsepower
A personal watercraft (PWC), such as a jet ski or Sea-Doo
A sailboat over 14 feet in length
Renting doesn’t exempt you from the law. If you’re operating the boat—whether you own it or not—the same requirements apply. Boat rental companies in Texas will often ask to see your Boater Education Certificate before allowing you to drive the vessel.
So if you’re planning to rent a fishing boat, pontoon, or jet ski, make sure you’re certified before you show up at the dock.
Yes, there are a few exceptions to the boater education requirement:
Supervised Operation: You don’t need a certificate if someone 18 or older with their own valid certificate is on board and can take immediate control of the vessel.
Guided Rentals: If your rental comes with a licensed captain or operator, you’re not the one piloting, so no certificate is required.
Still, completing a boater education course is highly recommended, even if you qualify for an exemption. It prepares you for safe, confident boating in Texas waters.
Getting certified is easy and affordable, and your certificate is valid for life.
You can complete the course online at your own pace. It typically takes 3 hours and covers topics ranging from boating laws and navigation rules to emergency preparedness and environmental safety.
At Recademics, we offer a Texas Parks and Wildlife-approved Boater Education Course that’s engaging with lots of video, mobile-friendly, and built to help you succeed.
Before you take the boat out, most Texas marinas will run through a safety briefing and confirm you understand both legal requirements and practical operating basics.
Most marinas will:
Ask for a valid ID and, if required, your Texas Boater Education Certificate (boating license).
Confirm you meet their minimum age to rent or operate (commonly 18+ or 21+, even if state law allows younger operation with certification).
Verify you understand who is allowed to drive the boat during the rental period.
Before you leave the dock, marina staff will review where the required safety equipment is stored and how to use it. Expect to be shown:
Life jackets (PFDs) for every passenger
Fire extinguisher and signaling device (horn or whistle)
Throwable flotation device if required for the vessel
Engine cut-off switch / ignition lanyard and where to clip it
Navigation lights and basic functions if you’ll be near sunset
You should physically locate these items before departing.
If you’re not familiar with the vessel, the marina will usually walk you through:
Starting and shutting down the engine
Throttle control and steering responsiveness
Docking and casting off procedures
Anchoring basics, if applicable
Weight distribution and passenger safety while underway
Some marinas also require or offer a short supervised practice run near the dock.
Part of the briefing typically includes site-specific rules, such as:
Local speed limits
No-wake and restricted zones
Common traffic patterns and high-activity areas
Shallow zones, submerged hazards, rock lines, or dam proximity
Weather concerns such as afternoon wind, wakes, and chop
They may also reiterate Texas requirements like life jacket wear for children and zero-tolerance for boating under the influence.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/mandatory-boater-education-requirements
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/required-safety-equipment
https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-safety.php
https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/boat-rental-safety-checklist
Recademics is a nationally recognized provider of outdoor recreation safety education, offering online certification courses for boating, hunter education, bowhunter education, off-highway vehicles (OHV/off-road), snowmobiles, and personal watercraft (PWC). Our courses are built around nationally established standards and regulatory frameworks, with alignment to NASBLA (boater education) and IHEA-USA (hunter and bowhunter education).
We currently have more than 26 state-approved courses issued directly by state agencies across the United States, including approvals in Texas, New York, Florida, California, Georgia, Alabama plus many more & with additional states pending. Every course is developed and maintained by subject-matter specialists, instructional designers, and state-reviewing authorities to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a high-quality learning experience.
Recademics focuses on clear instruction, accuracy, and straightforward pathways to certification for outdoor enthusiasts across multiple disciplines. Our goal is simple: make it easier to get certified, stay compliant, and enjoy the outdoors with confidence.
