Do You Need a Boating License in Connecticut?

Boating License Requirements in Connecticut

Who Is Required to Hold a Boater Education Card

Connecticut uses two main credentials instead of a plastic “boating license”:

• Safe Boating Certificate (SBC): Allows you to operate most recreational vessels, except personal watercraft.
• Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO): Allows you to operate any recreational vessel, including PWCs such as Jet Skis, WaveRunners, and Sea-Doos.

You must hold an SBC, CPWO, or a valid U.S. Coast Guard vessel operator license if you:

• Are a Connecticut resident, or
• Own real property in Connecticut, or
• Operate a vessel that is registered in Connecticut, or
• Operate a vessel that must display a Connecticut Certificate of Decal, or
• Operate your vessel on Connecticut waters for more than 60 days in a calendar year.

For these boaters, a certificate is required to legally operate:

• Any boat with a motor (even a small trolling motor), and
• Any sailboat 19½ feet or longer.

For personal watercraft, the rules are even stricter: every operator, resident or visitor, must have a valid CPWO or accepted equivalent from a reciprocal state.

Age Requirements for Boating in Connecticut

Connecticut’s age rules focus on three key ages: 12, 16, and 18.

• Under 12 years old
  • Can help operate smaller boats, but even with an SBC or CPWO they may not operate a vessel with more than 10 horsepower alone.
  • To be on the controls of a larger motorboat, they must be accompanied on board by someone who is at least 18 and holds an SBC or CPWO.
• 12–15 years old
  • May operate a motorboat alone if they have an SBC or CPWO.
  • May operate a motorboat without their own certificate only if they are under the direct onboard supervision of an adult who is at least 18 and has held an SBC or CPWO for at least two years.
  • May not operate a PWC alone, even with a CPWO.
• 16 and older
  • May operate a motorboat alone with an SBC or CPWO.
  • May operate a PWC alone if they hold a CPWO and follow all other age and safety rules.
  • Must be at least 16 years old, with proper credentials, to operate a vessel engaged in tubing or waterskiing and usually need a separate Safe Waterskiing Endorsement.
• 18 and older
  • Needed to supervise uncertified or younger operators on board.
  • Must have held their SBC or CPWO for at least two years to supervise a youth operator.

Vessel Types That Require a Boating License

In Connecticut, you generally need an SBC, CPWO, or USCG license to operate:

• Any motorized vessel (including boats with small electric trolling motors).
• Sailboats 19½ feet or longer, even without an auxiliary motor.
• Personal watercraft (PWCs) of any kind (CPWO required).
• Boats used for towed watersports (tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding), where an additional Safe Waterskiing Endorsement is required for most operators.

Smaller non-motorized craft such as kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and paddleboards generally do not require a boating certificate, but operators are still subject to all boating laws, including navigation rules and boating under the influence (BUI) laws.

Exemptions to the License Requirement

Connecticut law allows a few narrow exemptions:

• Certain low-power electric motors On inland waters that have a 10-horsepower limit, between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset, a boating certificate is not required to operate a boat with a small electric motor rated at or below a specific thrust (106 pounds of thrust or less). The vessel still must be registered.
• U.S. Coast Guard-licensed operators A person with a valid USCG master, mate, or pilot license does not need a Connecticut boating certificate to operate most vessels (other than PWCs). They must carry the original USCG license on board whenever operating.
• Supervised minors Children under 16 may operate a vessel other than a PWC without their own certificate if they are under the direct onboard supervision of an adult at least 18 years old who has held an SBC or CPWO for at least two years.
• Vessels not required to be numbered Certain small, non-motorized craft that do not require registration typically do not trigger the certificate requirement.

Even when a certificate is not required, all operators must follow Connecticut boating laws, including speed limits, no-wake zones, navigation rules, and BUI rules.

How to Get a Boating License in Connecticut

Approved Boater Education Courses

To qualify for an SBC or CPWO, you must complete a Connecticut-approved boating safety course or pass the DEEP Equivalency Exam. Approved courses have specific requirements:

• Minimum of 8 hours of instruction.
• Instructor-led (not self-paced or asynchronous).
• NASBLA-approved curriculum.
• Includes a proctored final exam with a minimum passing score (typically 80%).

Courses are offered across the state by DEEP, U.S. Power Squadrons, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other approved providers, including virtual classes that meet Connecticut’s live-instruction and proctored-exam requirements.

Steps to Obtain a Boater Safety Certificate

The basic process to get your Connecticut boating certificate looks like this:

• Step 1 – Get a Conservation ID: Create or look up your Connecticut Conservation ID through the state’s online licensing system. You’ll use this ID when registering for a course and later purchasing your certificate.
• Step 2 – Take an Approved Course or Exam: Enroll in a DEEP-approved basic boating course (or combination boating/PWC course) and attend all required instructional hours. – New or experienced boaters can instead choose the DEEP Equivalency Exam, which covers the same material in a single test.
• Step 3 – Pass the Exam: Complete the proctored exam at the end of your course or as part of the equivalency exam. You must meet the state’s minimum passing score.
• Step 4 – Purchase Your Certificate Online: After your completion is recorded, log in to the online licensing system using your Conservation ID to purchase and print your SBC or CPWO. A one-time state fee applies for issuing your certificate.
• Step 5 – Carry the Certificate on Board: Once signed, your certificate is valid for life (unless suspended or revoked). You must carry it whenever you operate a vessel that requires it.

Online vs. In-Person Course Options

Connecticut recognizes both in-person and virtual boating courses, but the format is tightly regulated:

• In-Person Classes Traditional classroom courses offered at schools, community centers, marinas, and training facilities are widely available. They provide live instruction, opportunities for questions, and an on-site proctored exam.
• Live Virtual Classes Connecticut does accept instructor-led virtual classes that run in real time, last at least 8 hours, and include a proctored exam (often via secure online testing). These are treated similarly to in-person classes.
• Asynchronous “self-paced” online courses Self-study or fully online, on-your-own-time courses without live instruction are not approved by Connecticut. If you’re signing up for a course, always confirm that it is specifically listed as Connecticut-approved and instructor-led.

How Long the Course Takes

The standard Connecticut boating safety course is designed as an 8-hour program, often delivered in a single full-day session or split into two shorter sessions. Time for the proctored exam is included in that schedule.

If you opt for the DEEP Equivalency Exam instead of the full course, you’ll spend less time in a classroom, but you’re expected to already know the material, including:

• State and federal boating laws.
• Navigation rules and aids to navigation.
• Required safety equipment and emergency procedures.
• Special rules for PWCs, paddlesports, and towed watersports.

Out-of-State Boaters and Reciprocity Rules

Are Out-of-State Boater Cards Valid in Connecticut?

For motorboats (other than PWCs), Connecticut’s certificate requirement is tied mainly to residency, vessel registration, property ownership, or duration of use on state waters. Many visitors bringing their own boats for occasional use do not need a Connecticut certificate if:

• They do not live in Connecticut,
• Do not own property in Connecticut,
• Their vessel is not registered in Connecticut, and
• They use their boat on Connecticut waters for 60 days or fewer within a calendar year.

However, if any of those thresholds are met (for example, a non-resident operates on Connecticut waters more than 60 days in a year), that boater is treated like a resident and must obtain a Connecticut boating certificate.

For personal watercraft, the rules are stricter. Every operator on Connecticut waters must have:

• A Connecticut CPWO, or
• A PWC certificate issued by a state that has a formal reciprocity agreement with Connecticut.

Connecticut currently recognizes PWC certificates from New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Out-of-state cards from non-reciprocal states are not sufficient for operating a PWC in Connecticut.

Temporary Certificates for Visitors

Connecticut offers temporary boating certificates, but they are designed primarily for new owners of Connecticut-registered vessels rather than short-term tourists.

• If you purchase a boat (other than a PWC) and register it in Connecticut, you may obtain a three-month temporary boating certificate from a DEEP processing office after presenting your new registration and ID.
• The temporary certificate allows you to operate while you schedule and complete an approved boating course.
• A similar temporary process exists for newly purchased PWCs once you’ve completed an approved PWC course.

Temporary certificates cannot be renewed, and the fee you pay for a temporary certificate does not apply toward the cost of your permanent certificate.

Special Rules for Tourists and Seasonal Operators

If you are visiting Connecticut for a short period and bringing your own boat:

• Check how many days you will be on Connecticut waters. If your use will exceed 60 days in a calendar year, you must obtain a Connecticut boating certificate.
• If you will operate a PWC, you must have a CPWO or mutually recognized PWC certificate, regardless of how long you stay.
• Even if a certificate is not required, you must still follow all Connecticut boating laws, including life jacket rules, speed limits, and no-wake zones.

Seasonal visitors who return year after year often find it simpler to obtain a Connecticut certificate to avoid any questions about reciprocity or duration of stay.

Penalties for Operating Without a Required License

Fines and Enforcement Actions

Operating a vessel in Connecticut without a required boating certificate is a violation of state law. Consequences can include:

• Infractions and fines: Operating without an SBC or CPWO when one is required is typically treated as an infraction, which carries monetary penalties and can appear on your boating record.
• More serious penalties for suspended or revoked certificates: If your certificate or right to operate is suspended or revoked and you continue to operate, Connecticut law allows for higher fines, possible jail time, and extended loss of boating privileges.
• Boating Under the Influence (BUI): If you are found operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, penalties escalate sharply—fines can reach into the thousands of dollars, and your boating certificate can be suspended for a year or longer, with possible jail time and community service requirements.

Courts may also prohibit a person from operating any vessel on Connecticut waters for a defined period when boating violations are serious or repeated.

Liability for Rental Companies and Operators

Boat owners and rental businesses share responsibility for making sure their vessels are operated legally and safely:

• Owners and parents/guardians may be held accountable if they knowingly allow an underage or uncertified operator to run a boat that requires a certificate.
• Rental liveries and outfitters are expected to verify that renters meet age and certification requirements, especially for PWCs and boats used for tubing or waterskiing.
• If an unqualified renter or family member causes an accident, both the operator and the person who allowed them to operate can face legal and financial consequences.

For this reason, reputable rental companies in Connecticut routinely check certificates and age before handing over the keys to a motorboat or PWC.

Understanding Connecticut’s Boating Laws

Who Enforces Boating Regulations in Connecticut?

Boating laws in Connecticut are primarily enforced by:

• Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police, who patrol lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound.
• Local and municipal police departments with marine units.
• The U.S. Coast Guard, particularly on coastal and federally regulated waters.

These agencies can stop and board vessels to:

• Check for required certificates and registration.
• Verify life jackets and other required safety equipment.
• Enforce speed limits, no-wake zones, and navigation rules.
• Investigate suspected BUI or reckless operation.

What Counts as a “Boating License” in Connecticut?

Connecticut does not issue a “boating license” in the same way you receive a driver’s license from the DMV. Instead, the state issues:

• Safe Boating Certificates (SBC) – for most recreational vessels other than PWCs.
• Certificates of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) – for PWCs and any recreational vessel.
• Optional endorsements printed on those certificates, such as the Coastal Boater Endorsement and the Safe Waterskiing Endorsement.

These certificates:

• Are issued by DEEP after you complete an approved course or exam and pay the state fee.
• Do not expire but can be suspended or revoked for serious violations, including BUI.
• Must be carried on board (original or official reprint) whenever you operate a vessel that requires them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a License to Rent a Boat in Connecticut?

If the rental vessel is a motorboat or larger sailboat that would normally require a certificate, then:

• Connecticut residents, property owners, and anyone operating a Connecticut-registered boat generally must have an SBC or CPWO to rent and operate that vessel.
• Short-term visitors who do not meet resident or registration thresholds may be able to rent and operate certain motorboats without a Connecticut certificate, but rental companies can set stricter rules and may require proof of prior boating education.

For personal watercraft rentals, every operator must have a CPWO or approved reciprocal PWC certificate, regardless of residency or rental status.

Are Jet Skis and PWCs Covered by the Same Rules?

Yes. Personal watercraft (PWCs)—including Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, and WaveRunners—have some of the strictest requirements in Connecticut:

• Every operator must have a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation or an equivalent PWC certificate from a reciprocal state.
• No one under 16 years old may operate a PWC alone, even if they have a CPWO.
• Younger operators may only operate a PWC when an adult (18+) who has held a CPWO for at least two years is on board and supervising.
• PWC operators must obey all speed limits, no-wake zones, and BUI laws, just like any other motorboat operator.

Is My Out-of-State Boater Card Accepted in Connecticut?

It depends on the type of vessel and how you use it:

• For motorboats (non-PWC): Connecticut does not simply “swap” out-of-state cards for an SBC. Instead, the requirement is based on your residency, vessel registration, and how many days per year you operate on Connecticut waters. Occasional visitors often do not need a Connecticut certificate for motorboats, but they must still follow all laws.
• For PWCs: Only PWC certificates from specific reciprocal states (currently New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) are accepted. If your home state is not on the reciprocity list, you must obtain a Connecticut CPWO before operating a PWC here.

Because reciprocity arrangements and enforcement practices can change, boaters should always confirm the latest rules with the Connecticut DEEP Boating Division before operating on state waters.