Do You Need a Boating License in Maryland?
Maryland does not issue a traditional boating license. Instead, the state requires a Certificate of Boating Safety Education for most motorized vessel operators, administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and enforced by the Natural Resources Police.
Whether you need the certificate comes down to one thing: when you were born. This guide covers who needs the certificate, age-based operating rules, and how the requirement applies to out-of-state visitors.
Quick Answer: Do You Need One?
Yes, you need boating safety education in Maryland if you were born on or after July 1, 1972, and operate any numbered or documented motorized vessel on Maryland waters.
No, if you were born before July 1, 1972, or if you operate only non-motorized vessels (canoe, kayak, paddleboard, rowboat).
Note: PWC operators must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid certificate regardless of birth year.
Maryland's Birth-Year Rule
Maryland's requirement is straightforward once you know the birthdate cutoff. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must carry a Certificate of Boating Safety Education whenever they operate a motorboat or PWC on state waters.
There is no horsepower threshold. The requirement applies to all motorized vessels, regardless of engine size.
The certificate is issued by the Maryland DNR, is valid for life, and may not be revoked.
Who Is Required to Hold the Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education
Maryland law requires a certificate for the following operators:
- Any person born on or after July 1, 1972, who operates any numbered or documented motorized vessel on Maryland waters
- PWC and jet ski operators 16 years of age and older (certificate required regardless of birth year)
- Non-residents who do not qualify for the visitor exemption (see below)
Operators under 16 without a valid certificate may operate a motorized vessel 11 feet or longer only when supervised by someone 18 or older who holds a valid certificate, or by someone born before July 1, 1972. You must carry your Maryland Boater Card on board and have it available for inspection at all times.
Who Is Exempt from the Requirement
The following operators are not required to hold the Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education:
| Maryland Boating License Exemptions | |
| Who | Exemption Status |
| Operators born before July 1, 1972 | Exempt |
| Operators of non-motorized vessels (rowboat, canoe, kayak, paddleboard) | Exempt |
| U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains operating commercially | Exempt |
| Out-of-state residents 16+ visiting for 60 days or fewer in a vessel numbered in their home state | Exempt |
| Foreign visitors in a vessel from another country visiting for 90 days or fewer | Exempt |
| Operators on private property bodies of water | Exempt |
Vessel Types That Trigger the Requirement
The requirement to take a boater safety course applies to all motorized vessels — there is no horsepower minimum.
Maryland Boating Certificate Vessel Requirements | |
| Vessel Type | Certificate Required? |
| Motorboat (any horsepower) | Yes (if born on/after July 1, 1972) |
| PWC / Jet Ski | Yes (operators 16 and older; certificate required) |
| Sailboat without auxiliary motor | No |
| Paddleboard / Canoe / Kayak / Rowboat | No |
Rules for Visitors and Non-Residents
Maryland provides a 60-day visitor exemption for out-of-state residents who are at least 16 years old and operating a vessel that is properly numbered in their home state. After 60 days, or if the visitor is under 16, a Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education is required.
Foreign visitors operating a vessel registered in another country have a 90-day window before the Maryland certificate is required. Maryland recognizes NASBLA-approved boating safety certificates from other states as meeting its education requirement.
For more on Maryland's boating laws and regulations, including registration and required safety equipment, visit the Boat-Ed Maryland regulations resource page.
What Happens If You Boat Without One
Operating without a required Certificate of Boating Safety Education in Maryland is a misdemeanor. Penalties include fines up to $500 for a first offense and fines up to $1,000 and/or possible jail time for subsequent offenses.
Natural Resources Police officers patrol Maryland waterways and are authorized to stop and board vessels at any time to verify registration, safety equipment, and certification.
You must carry your certificate on board and have it available for inspection at all times. Failure to produce it during an enforcement stop can result in a citation.
Start Your Maryland Boater Safety Course Today
The DNR-approved Boat-Ed course is available online on any device and can be completed at your own pace. Pass the final exam, print your temporary certificate immediately, and your permanent card will arrive in the mail within approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a boating license in Maryland?
A: Maryland does not issue a traditional boating license. Instead, anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, must hold a Certificate of Boating Safety Education to operate any motorized vessel on state waters. The certificate is issued by the Maryland DNR, is valid for life, and may not be revoked. PWC operators must also be at least 16 years old.
Q: Does the Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education expire?
A: No. The certificate is valid for life and may not be revoked. Once issued, you must carry it on board whenever you operate a motorized vessel on Maryland waters.
Q: Can I take the course online?
A: Yes. The DNR-approved Boat-Ed course is self-paced and available on any device. After passing the final exam, you can print a temporary certificate immediately. Your permanent card will arrive in the mail within approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
Q: Are kayaks and canoes covered?
A: No. Non-motorized vessels are fully exempt from Maryland's boating safety education requirement.
Q: What if I'm visiting Maryland?
A: Out-of-state residents 16 or older visiting for 60 days or fewer in a vessel numbered in their home state are exempt from the Maryland certificate requirement. After 60 days, or if the visitor is under 16, a Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education is required. Foreign visitors have a 90-day window.
Q: What's the penalty for boating without the certificate?
A: Operating without a required certificate is a misdemeanor with fines up to $500 for a first offense. Subsequent offenses carry fines up to $1,000 and/or possible jail time.
Q: How long does the course take?
A: Most students complete the DNR-approved online Boat-Ed course in approximately 3 hours. The course is self-paced, and progress is saved between sessions. In-person classroom courses are a minimum of 8 hours.
Q: How do I get the certificate if I need one?
A: Complete the DNR-approved Boat-Ed course online, pass the final exam, and print your temporary certificate immediately. Your permanent Maryland Boater Card will arrive by mail in approximately 2 to 3 weeks. The certificate is valid for life.
Approved by Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources & NASBLA | Last verified June 24, 2026 | Content reviewed for accuracy against current Maryland boating requirements
