It's the Law!: Before Going Out
Operator Age and Boater Education Requirements

Operators must obey laws that require boater education and regulate a vessel’s registration and operation.

Current requirements are as follows and will remain in effect.

You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft legally.
It is illegal to lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to anyone under 16 years of age.

Future requirements have been set by a Washington boating safety education law that was passed in 2005. This new law will be phased in as shown here so that all boaters, unless exempted, must obtain a Washington boater education card by January 1, 2014. The law applies to operators of vessels that are powered by motors of 15 horsepower or more.

For details on the mandatory boating safety education law and information on who is exempt from this law, visit: www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatsafefaq.asp on the Internet.

Persons required to have a Boater Education Card must carry it on board whenever operating.