Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Quick Answer: If you were born on or after January 1, 1978, Delaware law requires you to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and carry your boating safety education certificate when operating a motorized boat (including a personal watercraft) on Delaware waters. You can earn this certificate by taking a state-approved online course or an in-person class offered through Delaware’s boating safety program.
Start by selecting a boating safety course that Delaware recognizes for its mandatory boating education requirement. Delaware offers both online and in-person options. Make sure the course is specifically approved for Delaware boating education (not just general boating content).
Work through the required lessons and pass the final exam (or final assessment). Online courses typically include quizzes and a final exam you complete at your own pace. In-person classes usually include instruction over one or more sessions and a test at the end.
After you pass, you’ll receive proof of successful completion (your Delaware boating safety education certificate). Keep your certificate accessible when boating—Delaware requires operators who must be certified to carry proof while operating and show it upon request by law enforcement. Delaware boating safety education certificates are valid for life once issued.
Delaware approves online boating safety courses that meet the state’s education requirement. Online courses are a common choice if you want to study on your own schedule. After you pass, you’ll typically be able to print a completion certificate for immediate use, and some providers offer an optional plastic card.
In-person boating safety classes are offered in Delaware through the state’s boating safety program and partner organizations (such as U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary-led classes listed on the DNREC schedule). These are usually held at local venues and may require pre-registration. Course fees, minimum age, and class format can vary by event.
Delaware recognizes boating safety certificates issued by other states if they are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). If you’re visiting Delaware and already hold a NASBLA-approved boater education card/certificate from another state, it generally satisfies Delaware’s education requirement—carry it with you when operating.
If you plan to rent or operate a personal watercraft (jet ski) in Delaware, pay close attention to Delaware’s personal watercraft age and supervision rules. Also note that some Delaware public boat ramps require an out-of-state registered boat to have a boat ramp certificate for ramps maintained by the Division of Fish and Wildlife—confirm ramp access rules before launching.
In Delaware, a person born on or after January 1, 1978 must complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a boating safety education certificate before operating a motorized vessel on Delaware waters. This applies to vessels that are required to be registered in Delaware or any other state, or that are documented by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Delaware law also provides exemptions for certain credentialed mariners, including holders of a valid U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license and holders of a Delaware River and Bay pilot’s license (or equivalent from another jurisdiction).
Delaware’s mandatory boating education requirement is based on your birthdate (born on or after January 1, 1978) rather than a single minimum boating age for all motorboats. However, Delaware does set specific age restrictions for personal watercraft (PWCs):
If you were born on or after January 1, 1978, you must complete an approved boating safety course and carry your boating safety education certificate to operate a motorized boat (including a personal watercraft) on Delaware waters. If you were born before that date, Delaware’s mandatory education rule generally does not apply, but taking a safety course is still strongly recommended.
Delaware’s boating safety education requirement is tied to birthdate (born on or after January 1, 1978) rather than a single minimum age for all operators. For personal watercraft operation, Delaware restricts operation to age 16+, with limited supervised operation allowed for ages 14–15. Course providers may also set minimum age rules for enrollment in specific classes.
Costs vary by course provider and format. Some in-person classes listed through Delaware’s boating safety program charge a per-person fee, while at least one Delaware-approved online course option is offered at no cost. Optional items (like a replacement or waterproof card) may have additional fees depending on the provider.
Yes. Delaware approves certain online boating safety courses that meet the state’s mandatory boating education requirement. After completing an approved online course and passing the exam, you’ll receive proof of completion that you must carry while operating on Delaware waters.
