Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
(Who Doesn’t Need a “Boating License”)
Not every boater in Texas is required to complete a boater education course or carry a boater identification card. Texas law sets both:
Who the requirement applies to, and
Specific exemptions and a one-time deferral program for certain people.
This page walks through those exemptions in plain English so you can tell if you’re legally required to complete boater education.
Not every boater in Texas is required to complete boater education or carry a Texas Boater Education Card. State law sets both who the requirement applies to and specific exemptions for certain people. Texas also offers a short-term deferral program that temporarily allows operation without completing the course.
This page explains those exemptions and the deferral in plain language so you can quickly determine whether you are required to complete boater education.
Who Is Normally Required to Complete Boater Education
The boater education requirement applies only to a person who:
• was born on or after September 1, 1993, and
• operates on Texas public waters either:
– a motorboat powered by more than 15 horsepower, or
– a sailboat or wind-powered vessel over 14 feet in length.
If you were born before September 1, 1993, you are outside the scope of the law and do not need a Texas Boater Education Card to operate those vessels.
Quick Summary: Who Is Exempt From Texas Boater Education
A person is not required to complete a Texas boater education course if any of the following are true:
You were born before September 1, 1993.
You are being properly supervised on board by a qualified adult.
You hold a qualifying U.S. Coast Guard license.
You are a non-resident with an approved out-of-state boater education card.
You are an active or reserve member of the U.S. Armed Forces qualified in certain on-water roles.
You are a member of the U.S. Merchant Marine.
You hold a valid Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
You are engaged in showing, testing, or demonstrating boats for a dealer or manufacturer.
In addition, a person 18 or older may purchase a one-time, 15-day deferral instead of completing boater education, which acts as a temporary alternative.
Each exemption is explained below.
Exemption: Born Before September 1, 1993
The Texas boater education requirement only applies to operators born on or after September 1, 1993. If you were born before that date, you are not required to complete boater education to operate the vessels covered by the law.
This exemption is automatic and does not require any additional documentation.
Exemption: Being Supervised On Board by a Qualified Adult
A person is exempt if they are being supervised on board by another person who:
• is at least 18 years old, and
• is either exempt themselves or already holds a Texas Boater Education Card.
Supervision means the supervising person must be physically on board the vessel while it is underway. This exemption is commonly used by younger operators and new boaters.
Note: Children under 13 have additional operating limitations under Texas rules, especially for personal watercraft.
Exemption: Holders of a U.S. Coast Guard License
A person holding a master’s, mate’s, or operator’s license issued by the United States Coast Guard is exempt from the Texas boater education requirement. Texas treats these federal maritime licenses as meeting or exceeding the state standard.
Exemption: Non-Residents With Approved Out-of-State Boater Education Cards
A person who is not a Texas resident and who has successfully completed a boater education course or equivalency exam in another state that Texas approves is exempt from the Texas requirement. This allows visiting boaters to operate in Texas using their home-state boater education credentials.
Exemption: Certain Active or Reserve U.S. Armed Forces Personnel
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active or reserve duty are exempt if they are qualified in specific on-water roles, including:
• officer of the deck underway
• boat coxswain
• boat officer
• watercraft operator
• marine deck officer
This exemption recognizes military maritime training as equivalent to boater education.
Exemption: Members of the U.S. Merchant Marine
Members of the United States Merchant Marine are exempt from the Texas boater education requirement. These mariners receive formal maritime training comparable to boater education and navigation instruction.
Exemption: Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card Holders
A person who holds a valid Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card in their own name is exempt. Texas recognizes this Canadian credential as equivalent training.
Exemption: Demonstration and Test Operations for Boat Dealers and Manufacturers
A person engaged in showing, testing, or demonstrating boats for a boat dealer, manufacturer, or distributor is exempt while actively performing those duties. This exemption applies only during the period of the demonstration or test and does not cover recreational operation.
The One-Time 15-Day Boater Education Deferral (Not a Permanent Exemption)
Texas also offers a short-term alternative called the Boater Education Deferral. Key points:
• the person must be 18 years or older
• the deferral is valid for 15 consecutive days
• it is available only once
• it does not authorize the holder to supervise other operators
The deferral allows temporary operation without completing the course, but it does not permanently satisfy the boater education requirement.
Summary Table: Who Does Not Need Texas Boater Education
• Born before September 1, 1993
• Being supervised on board by a qualified adult
• Holds a U.S. Coast Guard license
• Non-resident with approved out-of-state boater card
• Qualified active or reserve U.S. Armed Forces member
• U.S. Merchant Marine member
• Holds a Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator Card
• Demonstrating or testing boats for a dealer or manufacturer
• One-time 15-day deferral (temporary only, age 18+)
If You Are Not Exempt
If none of the exemptions above apply, and you were born on or after September 1, 1993, you must complete boater education to operate the vessels covered by Texas law.
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