How to Get Your Maryland Boating License
Getting on the water in Maryland starts with knowing whether you need a Certificate of Boating Safety Education. Maryland requires a Certificate of Boating Safety Education for anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, who operates a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters.
There is no horsepower minimum. The requirement applies to all motorized vessels regardless of engine size.
The certificate is issued through Maryland DNR-approved course providers and is valid for life. Additional age-based supervision rules apply to operators under 16.
This guide walks you through how to get your Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education, step by step.
What Is the Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education?
The Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education is what most people mean when they search for a Maryland boating license. It is not a traditional license. It's proof that you completed a Maryland DNR-approved boating safety course and passed the required exam.
The certificate is issued through approved course providers under the authority of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 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 motorized boat or personal watercraft on Maryland waters.
Who Needs a Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education?
Maryland law requires a Certificate of Boating Safety Education for anyone born on or after July 1, 1972, who operates a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters. This includes personal watercraft such as jet skis and Sea-Doos. There is no horsepower minimum. The requirement applies to all motorized vessels.
If you were born before July 1, 1972, you are exempt from the education requirement, though completing a course is strongly recommended.
Exemptions for the Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education
Maryland law provides several exemptions from the certificate requirement. The table below covers the most common situations where an exemption may apply.
| You May Be Exempt from the Maryland Boating License If: |
| You were born before July 1, 1972. |
| You are a U.S. resident visiting Maryland for 60 days or fewer in a vessel registered in another state. |
| You are visiting Maryland for 90 days or fewer in a foreign-registered vessel. |
| You hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard license. |
| You are operating a non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, paddleboard, rowboat, etc.). |
Maryland Boater Certificate Requirements by Age
Maryland's age-based operating rules set supervision requirements for younger operators and additional restrictions for personal watercraft. The table below summarizes what applies at each age.
| MD Boater Card Requirements (by Age): | ||
| Under 16 (without certificate) | May operate a motorized vessel under 11 feet without supervision. Must be supervised by a qualified adult to operate a motorized vessel 11 feet or longer | No (supervision required) |
| Under 16 (with certificate) | May operate motorized vessels. May not operate a PWC | Yes |
| 16 and older (born on or after 7/1/1972) | May operate any motorized vessel including PWC with certificate | Yes |
| 16 and older (born before 7/1/1972) | No certificate required | N/A |
PWC rule: No one under 16 may operate a personal watercraft under any circumstances in Maryland, regardless of supervision or certificate status. PWC operation is also prohibited between sunset and sunrise for all operators.
How to Get Your Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education (Step-by-Step)
Maryland's certification process can be completed entirely online in just a few hours. Here is what to expect from start to finish.
Step 1: Complete a Maryland DNR-Approved Boating Safety Course
You can complete the required course online or in person. Both options are approved by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and lead to the same lifetime certificate.
- Online course: The Boat-Ed Maryland-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 $54.95. Course costs across approved MD providers range from $30–$80, and some options are free.
- In-person classroom course: The Maryland DNR Natural Resources Police, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and U.S. Power Squadrons offer classroom courses statewide. Some options are free. Check the Maryland DNR website for scheduled courses near you.
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 Certificate of Boating Safety Education immediately.
Your temporary certificate is valid for 90 days while your permanent card is processed.
Step 3: Receive Your Certificate and Hit the Water
After passing the exam, you can print your temporary certificate right away. Your permanent Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education (a wallet-sized card) arrives by mail after course completion.
Maryland law requires you to carry your certificate 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 a Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education?
| Maryland Boater Education Course Formats and Costs: | ||||
| Online | Boat-Ed | $54.95 | Self-paced (a few hours) | Yes — included at the end of the course |
| Online | Boat-Ed+ virtual boater safety course | $79.95 | Self-paced (most students finish in 3 hours or less) | Yes — included at the end of the course |
| Online | Other DNR-approved providers | $30–$80 (some free) | Self-paced | Yes — included at the end of the course |
| In-Person Classroom | Maryland DNR, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons | Varies (some free) | 1 day | Yes — included |
All Maryland Certificates of Boating Safety Education 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 certificate, you'll need the following:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Payment for the course (if using an online provider)
Reciprocity: Is Your Maryland Certificate Valid in Other States?
Yes. The Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education is NASBLA-approved, which means it is recognized in U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces that honor NASBLA-compliant cards. Review Maryland Boating Laws and Regulations for full details.
Out-of-state visitors may operate on Maryland waters for up to 60 days (U.S.-registered vessels) or 90 days (foreign-registered vessels) without obtaining a Maryland certificate. Learn more about using your boating license in another state.
Start Your Maryland Boater Safety Course Today
The Maryland DNR-approved Boat-Ed course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device. Earn your lifetime Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education and get on the water with confidence.
Upgrade to a virtual, interactive experience with our new Boat-Ed+ course!
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 carry a Certificate of Boating Safety Education while operating a numbered or documented vessel on Maryland waters. There is no horsepower minimum. The requirement applies to all motorized boats and personal watercraft, regardless of engine size.
Q: How old do you have to be?
A: There is no minimum age to take the Boat-Ed online course. However, Maryland has age-based operating rules: anyone under 16 operating a motorized vessel 11 feet or longer without a certificate must be supervised by a qualified adult. No one under 16 may operate a personal watercraft under any circumstances.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The Boat-Ed online course fee is $54.95, and the Boat-Ed+ virtual course is $79.95. Other Maryland DNR-approved providers range from $30–$80, with some free options available, including courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons. There is no separate state fee for the Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education.
Q: Does it expire?
A: No. The Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education 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 Maryland DNR approves several online course providers, including Boat-Ed. The Boat-Ed online course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device. After completing the course and passing the final exam, you can print a temporary certificate immediately. Your temporary certificate is valid for 90 days while your permanent card is mailed to you.
Q: Is my Maryland certificate valid in other states?
A: Yes. The Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education 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 Maryland certificate is valid when you boat out of state.
Q: What if I'm visiting from out of state?
A: U.S. residents visiting Maryland for 60 days or fewer in a vessel numbered in another state are exempt from the Maryland certificate requirement. Visitors in foreign-registered vessels have a 90-day exemption window. Always carry your home-state certificate and a valid photo ID while on board.
Q: What's the penalty for boating without a certificate?
A: Failing to carry a required Maryland Certificate of Boating Safety Education is a misdemeanor. A first offense can result in a fine of up to $500. Subsequent offenses can result in fines of up to $1,000, jail time, and possible suspension of boating privileges. Maryland Natural Resources Police patrol state waterways and can stop operators to verify compliance. Always carry your certificate on board.
