Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Quick Answer:
It Depends on Your Age & Vessel Type. Texas requires boater education for many operators.
Texas law states that if you were born on or after September 1, 1993, you must complete a Texas-approved boater education course to operate most motor-powered vessels. This course and resulting certificate are often referred to as the “Texas boating License”.
Watch this short video to learn the details of exactly who is required to have a boating license (boater education certificate) when operating on Texas waters.
Do you need a boating license in Texas?
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In the next 60 seconds, you’ll know
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whether you legally need a boating
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license in Texas and what you need to do
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before you hit the water this season.
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So, let’s dive right in. Do you need a
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boating license in Texas? Well, the
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short answer is yes, you probably do,
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depending on your age, and it’s
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technically not called a license. Let me
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explain. In Texas, boating education is
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required under state law for certain
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operators. If you were born on or after
Texas Boater Education Law
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September 1st, 1993, you must have
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completed an approved Texas Boater
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Education course to legally operate a
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boat over 15 horsepower or personal
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watercraft like a jet ski. This
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requirement has been fully in effect for
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years and applies whether you own the
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boat or are renting one. Technically,
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Texas doesn’t call it a boat license,
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but in practice, it functions the same.
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It’s legal proof that you’ve completed
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the required boating safety course and
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are allowed to operate a boat. So,
How to Get It Online
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here’s how to get the Texas Boating
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license step by step.
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One, take an approved boating safety
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course. The Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Department, TPWD, approves a list of
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providers. Spoiler alert, Recademics is
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an approved online course option, and I
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think it’s the best one out there, but
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more on that later. Two, complete the
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course. During the course, you’ll learn
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navigation rules, jet ski and boat
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operation, safety gear, right ofway,
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emergency procedures, and Texas specific
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boating laws. Any course you select will
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take about 3 hours to complete. Three,
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pass the final exam. It’s usually
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multiple choice, and after you pass,
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you’ll be able to download your boating
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safety certificate. Make sure to have it
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with you whenever you’re operating a
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boat. If you’re ready to get started on
Texas-Approved Course at Recademics.com
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your course, you can go to
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recademics.com.
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Our boater safety courses are state
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approved and designed to get you on the
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water fast. Rated 4.9 out of five stars
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by our customers. They love how simple,
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convenient, and easy we make the
1:53
process. But you don’t have to take our
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word for it. You can read real reviews
1:56
from real students on our website or
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Google. You must be at least 13 years
Texas Boating License Requirements
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old to take a Texas approved boater
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education course. And the boater
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education requirement applies if you’re
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operating any motorpowered boat over 15
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horsepower or a personal watercraft like
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a jet ski. Unlike some states, Texas
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does not base this rule on supervision
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or experience. It’s based strictly on
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your birth date and the type of vessel
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you’re operating. If your plans involve
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non-motorized craft like kayaks, canoes,
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paddle boards, or sailboats without
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engines, you do not need a boating
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license by law. That said, taking a
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boating safety course is still a smart
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move for safety and confidence on the
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water. Finally, Texas requires you to
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carry proof of your boater education
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certificate while operating a vessel, so
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be sure to bring it with you. So, here’s
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a quick recap. If you were born on or
Recap & Summary
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after September 1st, 1993, you are
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required to have a boater education
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certificate to drive a boat in Texas. If
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you want to knock out the requirement
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online and get on the water fast, you
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can take a Texas TPWD approved course
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like the one offered by Recademics. I’ll
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drop the link below so you can get
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started. Safe boating and we’ll see you
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out there.
Texas does not issue a “boating license” like a driver’s license. Instead, Texas law requires certain operators to complete boater education and carry proof.
Boater education can also be required by a court after certain Texas Water Safety Act violations.
In Texas, boater education requirements are tied to your birthdate and the type of vessel you operate on public waters.
If your boat does not meet these categories (for example, low-horsepower motorboats, smaller sailboats, or non-motorized paddlecraft), Texas’ mandatory boater education law may not apply. Below is a helpful table to quickly identify whether or not your vessel is required to have a boating license.
For operators who are required to complete boater education based on the Texas age law (born on or after September 1, 1993).
| Vessel Type | Boater Education Required? |
|---|---|
| Personal Watercraft (PWC / Jet Ski) | Yes |
| Motorboat over 15 horsepower | Yes |
| Sailboat over 14 ft (wind-blown vessel) | Yes |
| Motorboat 15 horsepower or less | No |
| Canoe / Kayak / Paddleboard (SUP) | No |
| Rowboat / Jon Boat (no motor or ≤15hp) | No |
| Inflatable dinghy (no motor or ≤15hp) | No |
| Pedal boat / Paddle boat | No |
| Non-motorized sailcraft under 14 ft | No |
Note: If you fall under Texas’ mandatory education age rule, you must complete a TPWD-approved boater safety course and carry proof of certification when operating a vessel that requires it.
Texas law provides several exemptions or alternatives that may apply depending on your situation:
Because exemptions can be narrow and fact-specific, confirm your eligibility with TPWD before relying on an exemption or deferral.
To meet Texas requirements, complete a TPWD-approved boater education course (or pass an approved equivalency examination, where applicable). TPWD lists approved options, including both online courses and in-person classroom courses.
Step-by-Step Guide on how to get your Texas Boating License >
Often, yes. Texas generally accepts boater education courses from other states. If you are visiting Texas, carry your out-of-state proof on board while operating.
Texas can enforce boater education requirements through citations and court action. Operating without the required documentation may result in a Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor and fines. In addition, Texas law allows court handling that can require completion of an approved boater education course after certain operating violations, and failure to complete the required course within the court-ordered timeframe can lead to a more serious offense.
Because penalties can depend on the exact violation and circumstances, the safest approach is to meet the boater education requirement before you operate and to carry the required proof on board.
Yes, there is no exception to the boater education law for renters. For our full answer to this question, read:
Do I Need a License to Rent a Boat in Texas? >
Yes. Texas specifically includes PWCs under mandatory boater education rules. Texas also has additional age and supervision restrictions for PWC operations.
Learn More About the ‘Texas Jet Ski License’ >
Mandatory Boater Education Requirements
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/mandatory-boater-education-requirements/
Boater Education FAQ
https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/boater-education/faq/
Online Boater Education Courses (Approved Providers)
https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/boater-education/boater-education-online-courses/
General TPWD Boater Education Program Page
https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/boater-education/
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.
