Do You Need a Boating License in Oregon? Card, Ages, and Exemptions

There is no boating license in Oregon in the traditional sense, but if you operate a motorboat with more than 10 horsepower you must carry an Oregon Boating Education Card. The card is issued by the Oregon State Marine Board, costs $20, and never expires once you have it.¹² A handful of exemptions cover visitors, renters, and certain license holders, but most people who regularly boat on Oregon waters will need one.

Who Needs the Card

The trigger is engine power, not boat size. Any motorboat with an engine over 10 horsepower requires the operator to hold a Boating Education Card.¹ At 10 horsepower or below, no card is needed. The card belongs to the person driving, not the boat, so every operator on a trip needs their own if they plan to take the helm.

Non-motorized craft are outside the rule entirely. Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, drift boats, and sailboats do not require a card, though the Marine Board recommends safety education for paddlers.¹

Age Rules for Operators

Children under 12 cannot legally operate any powerboat in Oregon, regardless of horsepower or supervision.

Operators aged 12 to 15 fall into two tiers. With a Boating Education Card, they can run a motorboat of 10 horsepower or less on their own. For anything over 10 horsepower, they still need the card and must have a parent, guardian, or other responsible person at least 16 years old on board supervising directly, and that supervisor must also hold a valid card.³ For a personal watercraft such as a jet ski, the supervising person must be at least 18.

At 16, you can operate any motorboat or personal watercraft on your own with a valid card.

How to Get Your Boating Education Card

The process is straightforward: take an approved course, pass the exam, and apply for the card.

Approved Courses

The Oregon State Marine Board approves several formats. Online courses let you study at your own pace and typically run $30 to $60 depending on the provider. Classroom sessions are offered periodically around the state, some county sheriff’s offices administer equivalency exams for experienced boaters, and a virtual classroom option is available.¹ All approved courses cover navigation rules, safety procedures, and Oregon-specific laws.

Exam and Temporary Card

After the coursework comes a proctored final exam. Most online providers let you print a certificate of completion immediately after passing, and that certificate serves as a temporary boating education card valid for 30 days.⁴ You can get on the water right away while your permanent card is processed.

Applying for the Permanent Card

Once you have passed, apply for the permanent card through the Marine Board’s online store or by mailing an application with a check or money order. The fee is $20.¹ The card is a lifetime credential with no renewal requirement.²

Who Is Exempt

Not everyone running a motorboat over 10 horsepower needs the Oregon card. The statute lists four exemptions:⁵

Out-of-state visitors whose home state issues a boating safety card from a NASBLA-approved course, provided they carry it while operating in Oregon.
Renters at least 16 years old who complete the dockside safety checklist provided by the rental company.
Holders of a valid U.S. Coast Guard commercial motorboat operator’s license.
Holders of a current Oregon commercial fishing license under ORS 508.235.

The exemptions do not override the age rules. A 14-year-old renting a boat still cannot operate it without a card and an eligible supervising adult on board.

Penalties for Operating Without a Card

Running a motorboat over 10 horsepower without a valid Boating Education Card is a Class D violation under Oregon law.⁶ The same classification covers breaking the youth operator rules. A Class D violation carries a presumptive fine and lands on your record as a boating infraction rather than a criminal offense. Beyond the fine, a stop without a card usually ends your day on the water, since a marine patrol officer has no reason to let you keep operating illegally.

Carrying and Replacing the Card

You must have the card on board whenever you are operating a qualifying motorboat and present it to any peace officer who asks.² Leaving it at home counts the same as not having one, so treat it like your driver’s license when you head to the water.

If the card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a replacement through the Marine Board’s online store or by mail for $16.⁷ Ordering online lets you print a temporary card immediately so you are not stuck waiting for the replacement to arrive before your next trip.¹

What the Card Does Not Cover

The Boating Education Card is an operator credential. It is separate from titling and registering the boat itself, which the Marine Board handles under its own fee schedule for motorboats and sailboats 12 feet and longer.⁸ It also does not substitute for the safety equipment a marine patrol officer will check, and it offers no protection if you are stopped for operating under the influence, which Oregon prosecutes under ORS 830.325 at the same 0.08 percent blood alcohol threshold used for driving.⁹

1
Oregon State Marine Board. Boating Education Cards
2
Oregon Secretary of State. Business Xpress License Directory – Boater Education Card
3
Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code ORS 830.088 – Operation of Motorboat by Person 12 to 15 Years of Age
4
Oregon State Marine Board. Internet Courses
5
Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code ORS 830.092 – Exemption From Requirement to Obtain Boating Safety Education Card
6
Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code ORS 830.990 – Penalties
7
Oregon State Marine Board. Education Card Replacement Form
8
Oregon State Marine Board. Title Registration Home
9
Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code ORS 830.325 – Operating Boat While Under Influence of Intoxicants