Minnesota Boater Education

Boat Minnesota is the official boating safety course of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Taking this safe boating course will allow you to get your Minnesota boating certification online.

• If you are 12-17 years old, you will receive your official Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Watercraft Operator's Permit.
• If you are 18 or older, you will receive an official Minnesota Boater Education Certificate. Adult students are not required to have a Watercraft Operator's Permit, but may use their Minnesota Boater Education Certificate as proof of passing this course.

What's the difference between a boating license and a boating safety education certificate?

What it's called depends on your state, but it represents the same thing—proof of completion of an approved boater education course. Most boaters don't know the exact name of the official certification for their state, so they commonly refer to it as a boating license.