How to Get Your Arkansas Boating License
Getting on the water in Arkansas starts with knowing whether you need a Boater Education Card. Arkansas requires a Boater Education Card for anyone born on or after January 1, 1986, who operates a motorboat, personal watercraft, or sailboat on Arkansas waters. The card is issued through Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC)-approved course providers and is valid for life.
There is no horsepower minimum. The requirement applies to all motorboats, PWC, and sailboats regardless of engine size.
This guide walks you through how to get your Arkansas Boater Education Card, step by step.
What Is the Arkansas Boater Education Card?
The Arkansas Boater Education Card is what most people mean when they search for an Arkansas boating license. It is not a traditional license. Its proof that you completed an AGFC-approved boating safety course and passed the required exam.
The card is issued through approved course providers under the authority of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. It is valid for life, does not expire, and does not require renewal. Once you earn it, you carry it aboard your vessel whenever you operate a motorboat, PWC, or sailboat on Arkansas waters.
Who Needs an Arkansas Boater Education Card?
Arkansas law requires a Boater Education Card for anyone born on or after January 1, 1986, who operates any motorboat, personal watercraft (PWC), or sailboat on Arkansas waters.
Again, there is no horsepower minimum. The requirement applies to all motorized vessels and sailboats regardless of engine size.
If you were born before January 1, 1986, you are exempt from the card requirement, though completing a course is strongly recommended.
Exemptions for the Arkansas Boater Education Card
Arkansas law provides several exemptions from the card requirement. The table below covers the most common situations where an exemption may apply.
| You May Be Exempt from the Arkansas Boating Safety Certificate If: |
| You were born before January 1, 1986. |
| You hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard license. |
| You are a non-resident visitor with a valid NASBLA-approved boating safety certificate from your home state. |
| You are operating a non-motorized vessel (kayak, canoe, paddleboard, rowboat, etc.) that is not a sailboat. |
Arkansas Boater Card Requirements by Age
Arkansas's age-based rules set minimum ages and supervision requirements for younger operators and those wishing to operate personal watercraft. The table below summarizes what applies at each stage.
| Arkansas Boater Card Requirements (by Age): | ||
| Under 12 | May not operate a motorboat powered by 10 HP or more without direct supervision of a person 18 or older | N/A |
| 12–15 (PWC) | May operate a PWC only under the direct supervision of a person 18 or older. Those 12–15 who are unsupervised must have a card. | Yes (if born on or after 1/1/1986) |
| Under 16 (PWC alone) | Cannot operate a PWC without adult supervision 21 or older | N/A |
| 16 and older (born on or after 1/1/1986) | May operate any motorized vessel or PWC alone with a card | Yes |
| Any age (born before 1/1/1986) | No card required | N/A |
PWC rule: No one under 16 may operate a personal watercraft alone in Arkansas. Those aged 12–15 must be under the direct supervision of a person at least 21 years of age.
No one under 12 may operate a PWC under any circumstances.
How to Get Your Arkansas Boater Education Card (Step-by-Step)
Arkansas's certification process can be completed entirely online in just a few hours. Here is what to expect from start to finish.
Step 1: Create an AGFC Account and Complete an AGFC-Approved Boating Safety Course
Before starting the Boat-Ed online course, you will need your AGFC Customer Number. Visit the AGFC Licensing website at agfc.com to create an account or find your existing Customer Number. You will enter this when registering for the Boat-Ed course.
You can complete the required course online or in person. Both options are approved by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and lead to the same lifetime card.
- Online course: The Boat-Ed Arkansas-approved online boating course is self-paced and NASBLA-approved. You can take it on any device, save your progress, and complete it over multiple sessions. Most students finish in a few hours. There is no minimum age requirement to take the Boat-Ed online course. The Boat-Ed course fee is $34.95. Course costs across approved AR providers range from $30–$80.
- In-person classroom course: AGFC offers 10-hour instructor-led classroom courses at locations statewide throughout the boating season, typically across three to four evenings or one full Saturday. Check agfc.com for the current schedule.
Step 2: Pass the Final Exam
After completing the course material, you must pass the final exam with a score of at least 80%, with unlimited attempts. After passing, you can print a temporary Boater Education Certificate immediately and go boating right away.
Step 3: Receive Your Card and Hit the Water
After passing the online course exam, you can print a temporary certificate immediately. Your permanent Arkansas Boater Education Card arrives by mail after course completion.
Arkansas law requires you to carry your card aboard the vessel whenever you operate a qualifying motorized boat or PWC. Always carry your card when boating. Failure to carry it when required can result in a fine.
Course Formats and Costs
What are the various formats and costs to get an Arkansas Boater Education Card?
| Arkansas Boater Education Course Formats and Costs: | ||||
| Online | Boat-Ed | $34.95 | Self-paced (a few hours) | Yes (included at the end of the course) |
| Online | Other AGFC-approved providers | $30–$80 (some free) | Self-paced | Yes (included at the end of the course) |
| In-Person Classroom | AGFC instructors | Free (AGFC-sponsored courses) | 10 hours (multiple days or 1 full day) | Yes (included) |
All Arkansas Boater Education Cards are valid for life and never require renewal. Learn more about whether boating licenses expire.
What to Bring to Get Your Card
To get your card, you'll need the following:
- AGFC Customer Number (required to register for the Boat-Ed online course)
- Government-issued photo ID
- Payment for the course (if using an online provider)
Reciprocity: Is Your Arkansas Card Valid in Other States?
Yes! The Arkansas Boater Education Card is NASBLA-approved, which means it is recognized in U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces that honor NASBLA-compliant cards. Review our page about Arkansas Boating Laws and Regulations for full details.
Non-resident visitors with a valid NASBLA-approved certificate from their home state may operate on Arkansas waters without obtaining an Arkansas card. Learn more about using your boating license in another state.
Start Your Arkansas Boater Safety Course Today
The AGFC-approved Boat-Ed course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device. Earn your lifetime Arkansas Boater Education Card and get on the water with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a boating license in Arkansas?
A: Arkansas does not issue a traditional boating license. Instead, anyone born on or after January 1, 1986, who operates any motorboat, PWC, or sailboat on Arkansas waters must hold a valid AGFC-approved Boater Education Card. There is no horsepower minimum. The requirement applies to all motorized vessels and sailboats. If you were born before January 1, 1986, you are not required to hold a card, though completing a course is strongly recommended.
Q: How old do you have to be?
A: There is no minimum age to take the Boat-Ed online course. No one under 12 may operate a motorboat over 10 HP without direct supervision of an adult 18 or older. No one under 16 may operate a PWC alone. Anyone ages 12–15 must be under the direct supervision of a person at least 21 years old.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The Boat-Ed online course fee is $34.95. Other AGFC-approved providers range from $30–$80. AGFC-sponsored in-person classroom courses are free. There is no separate state fee for the Arkansas Boater Education Card.
Q: Does it expire?
A: No. The Arkansas Boater Education Card is valid for life. Once you earn it, you never need to renew it or pay any renewal fee.
Q: Can I take the course online?
A: Yes. The AGFC approves several online course providers, including Boat-Ed. The Boat-Ed online course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device. You will need your AGFC Customer Number to register. After completing the course and passing the final exam, you can print a temporary certificate immediately and go boating right away.
Q: Is my Arkansas card valid in other states?
A: Yes. The Arkansas Boater Education Card is NASBLA-approved, which means it meets the national boating education standard recognized across the United States. Most U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces honor NASBLA-compliant cards, so your Arkansas card is valid when you boat out of state.
Q: What if I'm visiting from out of state?
A: Non-resident visitors with a valid NASBLA-approved boating safety certificate from their home state may operate on Arkansas waters without obtaining an Arkansas card. Always carry your home-state certificate and a valid photo ID while on board.
Q: What's the penalty for boating without a card?
A: Operating a qualifying vessel without the required Arkansas Boater Education Card is a violation and can result in a citation and fine. AGFC Game Wardens patrol Arkansas waterways and can stop operators to verify compliance. Always carry your card on board.
