Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
In Arkansas, you do not receive a separate plastic “boating license” like a driver’s license, but many operators are legally required to complete an approved boating safety course and carry a Boater Education Card. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 who is of legal age to operate a motorboat or sailboat must complete an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC)–approved course and carry proof while operating on Arkansas waters. Personal watercraft (PWCs) are treated the same as motorboats for education purposes, while paddled craft like canoes and kayaks generally do not trigger the card requirement.
Arkansas law makes boating education mandatory for many boaters, even though the credential is called a Boater Education Card rather than a license. The core rule is that anyone born on or after January 1, 1986, and of legal age to operate a motorboat or sailboat, must successfully complete an approved AGFC Boating Education Course and carry proof while operating a motorboat or sailboat on Arkansas waters.
This requirement applies to both residents and nonresidents when they operate in Arkansas. A boating safety course approved by AGFC or a NASBLA-approved course from another state can satisfy the requirement, as long as the operator carries valid proof of completion.
Arkansas combines education rules with specific age and horsepower limits. According to AGFC’s official guidance, the following age rules apply when operating on Arkansas waters:
For anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 who meets these age thresholds, completing an approved boating safety course and carrying a Boater Education Card is also required when operating a motorboat, sailboat, or PWC.
In Arkansas, the Boater Education Card requirement is tied to how the vessel is powered and the operator’s age and birthdate:
Regardless of whether a card is required, all operators must comply with Arkansas equipment rules, life jacket requirements, and navigation laws.
To satisfy Arkansas’s boating license requirement, you must complete a course that is approved by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and meets National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) standards. AGFC offers:
All approved options cover Arkansas boating laws, navigation rules, equipment requirements, and core safety practices. Successful completion leads to a Boater Education Card recognized on Arkansas waters and in other NASBLA-participating states.
Both online and classroom courses will satisfy Arkansas’s boater education requirement, but they offer different experiences:
AGFC describes the traditional instructor-led Boater Education Course as about 10 hours of instruction, usually completed over a full day or across three to four shorter sessions. Online courses cover the same material but are self-paced; many students finish in roughly three to five hours of focused study, though new boaters may choose to take more time to review.
Arkansas honors NASBLA-approved boater education certificates issued by other states. If you are a nonresident born on or after January 1, 1986 and of legal operating age, you generally meet Arkansas’s education requirement when you:
You must still comply with Arkansas’s age, speed, equipment, and operating rules while boating in the state.
Arkansas law allows both residents and nonresidents born on or after January 1, 1986 to obtain a temporary Boater Education Certificate that is valid for 30 days. This certificate is issued after completing a questionnaire developed by AGFC and provides a short-term option for visitors or occasional boaters who have not yet completed a full course.
While this 30-day certificate can satisfy the education requirement temporarily, completing a full course and obtaining a permanent Boater Education Card is recommended for anyone who plans to boat regularly or in multiple states.
Tourists and seasonal residents must follow all Arkansas boating laws just like residents. Key points include:
Operating a motorboat, sailboat, or PWC in Arkansas without the required Boater Education Card, when one is required, is a violation of state regulations. Arkansas administrative rules specify that failing to comply with the boating education requirement can result in fines ranging from $25 up to $1,000, depending on the circumstances and any prior offenses.
Additional penalties can apply if you also violate other boating laws, such as failing to carry required life jackets, operating recklessly, or boating under the influence. Law enforcement officers may order you back to shore and issue citations if you are not in compliance.
Arkansas law also places responsibility on boat owners and rental businesses. It is unlawful for a person in control of a motorboat or personal watercraft to knowingly allow someone who does not meet the state’s age or education requirements to operate that vessel. Rental companies are expected to confirm that renters are of legal age to operate and either meet the education requirements or obtain an appropriate temporary certificate.
Allowing unqualified operators on the water can expose both the operator and the rental business to citations, fines, and increased civil liability if an accident occurs.
Arkansas boating laws are primarily enforced by wildlife officers with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, who patrol lakes and rivers to check for compliance with boating, fishing, and hunting regulations. They are supported by county sheriffs, local police, and, on certain waters, the U.S. Coast Guard and other federal agencies.
These agencies have authority to conduct safety inspections, verify operator credentials, enforce speed and no-wake zones, and investigate accidents on Arkansas waters.
When people refer to a “boating license” in Arkansas, they are usually talking about the Boater Education Card. For most recreational boaters born on or after January 1, 1986, this card is the legal credential that proves they have completed an approved boating safety course and are authorized to operate a motorboat, sailboat, or PWC on Arkansas waters.
If you are renting a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more, a sailboat, or a PWC in Arkansas and you were born on or after January 1, 1986, you must meet the state’s boating education requirement. That means you must either hold a valid Arkansas Boater Education Card, carry an accepted NASBLA-approved card from another state, or obtain a temporary Arkansas Boater Education Certificate before operating.
Many marinas and rental liveries will check your card or help you complete the temporary certificate process before allowing you to take a boat or PWC out on the water.
Personal watercraft such as jet skis and similar craft are treated as motorboats under Arkansas law but are subject to specific age and supervision rules. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 who is of legal operating age must complete an approved boating safety course and carry proof when operating a PWC. Additional restrictions include minimum ages, direct supervision requirements for younger operators, and common operational rules such as wearing a life jacket and using an engine cut-off device where required.
Yes. Arkansas recognizes NASBLA-approved boater education cards issued by other states. If you are visiting Arkansas and hold a valid boater education card from another NASBLA-participating state, you generally meet Arkansas’s education requirement, provided you carry the card while operating a motorboat, sailboat, or PWC and follow all Arkansas boating laws.
For frequent travelers or those boating in multiple states, completing a NASBLA-approved course and carrying your card is the simplest way to stay compliant and demonstrate your commitment to safe boating wherever you go.
