How to Get Your Montana Boating License
Getting on the water in Montana works differently depending on your age. Montana requires a Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate only for operators who are 13 or 14 years old and operating a motorboat or personal watercraft with a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower. Adults are not universally required to hold a certificate, though completing a course is strongly recommended for boaters of any age.
The certificate is issued through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP)-approved course providers and is valid for life.
This guide walks you through how to get your Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate, step by step.
What Is the Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate?
The Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate is what most people mean when they search for a Montana boating license. It is not a traditional license. It is proof that you completed an FWP-approved boating safety course and passed the required exam.
The certificate is issued through approved course providers under the authority of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. It is valid for life, does not expire, and does not require renewal.
Operators who are required to hold one must carry it aboard the vessel whenever they operate a motorboat or personal watercraft on Montana waters.
Who Needs a Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate?
Montana's certificate requirement is narrower than in most states. The table below breaks down exactly who needs it.
- 12 years old and younger: May not operate a motorboat or PWC with a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied on board by a person 18 years of age or older.
- 13 to 14 years old: May operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP only if they hold a valid Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate (or evidence of an approved boating safety course) or are accompanied on board by a person 18 years of age or older.
- 15 and older: No certificate is required by state law, though education is strongly recommended.
There is no birth-year exemption. Montana's requirement is purely age-based and applies only to the 13–14 age window.
Exemptions for the Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate
Montana 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 Montana Boating License If: |
| You are 15 years of age or older (the certificate requirement applies only to 13–14-year-old operators). |
| You are 12 years of age or younger and accompanied on board by a person 18 or older. |
| You are 13 or 14 years old and accompanied on board by a person 18 or older. |
| You are a non-resident visitor with a valid home-state boating safety credential recognized in Montana. |
| You are operating a motorboat or PWC with a motor of 10 HP or less. |
Montana Boater Certificate Requirements by Age
Montana's age-based rules are unusually specific compared to most states, with the certificate requirement applying only to a narrow age window. The table below summarizes what applies at each stage.
| Montana Boater Card Requirements (by Age): | ||
| 12 and younger | Cannot operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP unless accompanied by a person 18 or older | N/A |
| 13–14 | May operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP with a certificate or accompanied by a person 18 or older | Yes (or supervised) |
| 15 and older | No certificate required | N/A |
PWC rule: PWC operators in Montana are subject to the same age rules as general motorboat operators. Those 13 and 14 years old must hold a certificate or be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Note also that anyone renting a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP must be at least 18 years old.
How to Get Your Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate (Step-by-Step)
Montana'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 an FWP-Approved Boating Safety Course
You can complete the required course online or in person. Both options are approved by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and lead to the same lifetime certificate.
- Online course: The Boat-Ed Montana-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. You must be at least 13 years old to take the Boat-Ed online course. The Boat-Ed course fee is $39.95. Course costs across approved MT providers range from $30–$80.
- In-person classroom course: FWP-approved classroom courses are offered statewide. Check the FWP 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. Unit quizzes throughout the course require a score of at least 70% to pass.
After passing the final exam, you can print a Temporary Boater Education Certificate immediately and go boating right away.
Step 3: Receive Your Certificate and Hit the Water
After passing the exam, you can print a temporary certificate immediately. Your permanent Montana Boater Education Certificate arrives by mail after course completion.
Montana law requires operators who are 13 or 14 years old to carry their certificate aboard the vessel whenever they operate a qualifying motorboat or PWC without adult supervision. Always carry your card when boating.
Violations of Montana boating laws can result in a fine of $50–$200 for a first offense, up to $500 for subsequent offenses, and possible suspension of boating privileges.
Course Formats and Costs
What are the various formats and costs to get a Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate?
| Montana Boater Education Course Formats and Costs: | ||||
| Online | Boat-Ed | $39.95 | Self-paced (a few hours) | Yes — included at the end of the course |
| Online | Other FWP-approved providers | $30–$80 | Self-paced | Yes — included at the end of the course |
| In-Person Classroom | FWP-approved instructors | Varies | 1 day | Yes — included |
All Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificates are valid for life and never require renewal. Learn more about whether boating licenses expire.
What to Bring to Get Your Certificate
To get your certificate, you'll need the following:
- Government-issued photo ID or proof of age (minimum age 13 for the Boat-Ed online course)
- Payment for the course (if using an online provider)
Reciprocity: Is Your Montana Certificate Valid in Other States?
Yes. The Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate is NASBLA-approved, which means it is recognized in most U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces that honor NASBLA-compliant cards. Review Montana Boating Laws and Regulations for full details.
Non-resident visitors with a valid home-state boating credential are recognized in Montana waters. Learn more about using your boating license in another state.
Start Your Montana Boater Safety Course Today
The FWP-approved Boat-Ed course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device. Earn your lifetime Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate and get on the water with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a boating license in Montana?
A: Montana does not issue a traditional boating license, and most adults are not required to hold a certificate. The Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate is required only for operators who are 13 or 14 years old and operating a motorboat or PWC with a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower. Operators 15 and older are not required by state law to hold a certificate, though completing a course is strongly recommended.
Q: How old do you have to be?
A: Children 12 and younger may not operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP unless accompanied by a person 18 or older. Operators 13 and 14 years old may operate these vessels with a certificate or while accompanied by an adult 18 or older. You must be at least 13 to take the Boat-Ed online course, and anyone renting a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP must be at least 18.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The Boat-Ed online course fee is $39.95. Other FWP-approved providers range from $30–$80. There is no separate state fee for the Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate.
Q: Does it expire?
A: No. The Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate 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. Montana FWP 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 and go boating right away.
Q: Is my Montana certificate valid in other states?
A: Yes. The Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate 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 Montana certificate 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 home-state boating safety credential are recognized in Montana waters. 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: Violating Montana's boating safety education requirement can result in a misdemeanor fine of $50–$200 for a first offense. Subsequent offenses can result in fines of up to $500 and possible suspension of boating privileges. Montana FWP wardens patrol state waterways and can stop operators to verify compliance. Always carry your certificate on board if you are 13 or 14 and operating without adult supervision.
