New Mexico Boating Course
The New Mexico boater education card (often mistakenly called a New Mexico boaters license) is proof that a boater has passed an authorized boating safety course and exam.
All persons born on or after January 1, 1989, must pass an approved boater education course or a proctored examination before they may operate a motorboat legally. See the “Laws” page for more information.
The New Mexico Boater Education Card (unlike a traditional driver’s license) allows the holder to legally operate a boat or personal watercraft (PWC) for life. It does not expire, and never needs to be renewed.
There is no minimum age to take the online boat safety exam.
For a detailed explanation of the New Mexico online boating exam process, please visit our New Mexico boating safety course overview page.
The online Certification Exam costs $29.50—one time only, after you pass. There is no charge for the New Mexico boater education card.
Your New Mexico boater education card will be mailed to your home within 5–7 business days after you pass the exam.
Yes. If you pass, you will be able to immediately print out a temporary boating safety education certificate.
If you have problems printing out the temporary certificate on your home computer, you may email us at the address shown below, and we can email you a duplicate temporary certificate.
A duplicate can be issued for a $10 charge if the student took (and passed) the Boat Ed New Mexico online course. To obtain a duplicate New Mexico card, mail the request with a check for $10, payable to BOAT ED NEW MEXICO, to:
BOAT ED NEW MEXICO
14086 Proton Rd
Dallas, TX 75244
Be sure to include the student’s full name and date of birth in the mailed request for a duplicate card. You may also phone Customer Service to request the duplicate and pay by credit card.
Operators are exempt if they:
All persons born on or after January 1, 1989, must pass an approved boater education course or a proctored examination before they may operate a motorboat legally.
All persons must be at least 13 years of age to operate a sailboat, motorboat, or PWC unless they are under the direct, on board supervision of an adult. Those under 13 years of age must have their Boater Education Card on board even when operating under direct supervision.
The Boater Education Card must be carried on board the vessel whenever it is operated by someone required to have a card. For renters, the instructions on safe boat operation provided by the rental company serve as a temporary certificate/card for 30 days.
All boat-ed content has been developed in conjunction with the state boating safety agencies responsible for boater education, and is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.
