How to Get Your North Dakota Boating License
North Dakota keeps its boating education requirement focused and simple. Operators between the ages of 12 and 15 who want to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft of more than 10 horsepower without an adult on board must hold a valid North Dakota Boater Education Card.
Operators 16 and older are not required by law to hold a card, though the North Dakota Game and Fish Department strongly recommends completing a course regardless of age.
The card is issued through NDGFD-approved course providers and is valid for life. No one under 12 may operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP under any circumstances without an adult 18 or older on board.
This guide walks you through how to get your North Dakota Boater Education Card, step by step.
What Is the North Dakota Boater Education Card?
The North Dakota Boater Education Card is what most people mean when they search for a North Dakota boating license. It is not a traditional license; it is proof that you completed an NDGFD-approved boating safety course and passed the required exam.
The card is issued through approved course providers under the authority of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. 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 qualifying motorized boat or PWC on North Dakota public waters.
Who Needs a North Dakota Boater Education Card?
North Dakota's certificate requirement is age-based and applies only to operators aged 12 through 15 who want to operate a motorboat or PWC of more than 10 horsepower without an adult 18 or older on board. Operators 16 and older are not subject to the education requirement under current North Dakota law.
No one under 12 may operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP under any circumstances without an adult 18 or older on board.
Exemptions for the North Dakota Boater Education Card
North Dakota 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 North Dakota Boater Education Card If: |
| You are 16 years of age or older (no card required under current North Dakota law). |
| You are aged 12–15 and accompanied on board by a person 18 years of age or older. |
| You are operating a motorboat or PWC with a motor of 10 HP or less. |
| 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 (canoe, kayak, paddleboard, rowboat, etc.). |
North Dakota Boater Card Requirements by Age
North Dakota's age-based rules are among the most narrowly defined in the country. The certificate requirement applies to a specific four-year window and only for unaccompanied operation. The table below summarizes what applies at each stage.
| North Dakota Boater Card Requirements (by Age): | ||
| Under 12 | Cannot operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP without an adult 18 or older on board | N/A |
| 12–15 | May operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP with a card or accompanied by a person 18 or older on board | Yes (or supervised) |
| 16 and older | No card required by law; completing a course is strongly recommended | Optional |
PWC rule: North Dakota's PWC rules mirror the general motorboat rules. No one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft without an adult 18 or older on board.
Operators aged 12–15 must hold a card or be accompanied by an adult 18 or older to operate a PWC.
How to Get Your North Dakota Boater Education Card (Step-by-Step)
North Dakota's certification process can be completed entirely online in just a few hours, or through a free home study option. Here is what to expect from start to finish.
Step 1: Complete an NDGFD-Approved Boating Safety Course
You can complete the required course online, in person, or by home study. All options are approved by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and lead to the same lifetime card. You must be at least 12 years old to take the Boat-Ed online course.
- Online course: The Boat-Ed North Dakota–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.
The Boat-Ed course fee is $54.95. Course costs across approved ND providers range from $30–$80. - Home study: A free paper study manual with a mail-in exam is available from the NDGFD. Contact the department NDGFD to request a copy.
- In-person classroom course: NDGFD-approved classroom courses are offered periodically statewide. Check the NDGFD 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 Boater Education Card 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 card immediately. Your permanent North Dakota Boater Education Card arrives by mail after course completion.
North Dakota law requires operators aged 12–15 to carry their card aboard the vessel whenever they operate a qualifying motorized boat or PWC without an adult on board. Failure to carry it when required can result in a citation and a fine.
Parents and guardians should note that it is unlawful to knowingly permit a minor under 16 to operate a 10+ HP motorboat unless the minor is legally authorized to do so.
Course Formats and Costs
Costs vary depending on the format you choose to take the course for your North Dakota Boater Education Card.
| North Dakota 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 | Other NDGFD-approved providers | $30–$80 | Self-paced | Yes (included at the end of the course) |
| Home Study | NDGFD paper manual + mail-in exam | Free | Self-paced | Yes (mail-in exam) |
| In-Person Classroom | NDGFD-approved instructors | Varies | 1 day | Yes (included) |
Does your boating license expire? No! All North Dakota Boater Education Cards are valid for life and never require renewal.
What to Bring to Get Your Card
To get your card, you'll need the following:
- Government-issued photo ID or proof of age (minimum age 12 for the Boat-Ed online course)
- Payment for the course (if using an online provider)
Reciprocity: Is Your North Dakota Card Valid in Other States?
Yes. The North Dakota Boater Education Card is NASBLA-approved, which means it is recognized in most U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces that honor NASBLA-compliant cards. Review our information about North Dakota Boating Laws and Regulations for full details.
Non-resident visitors with a valid NASBLA-approved certificate from their home state are recognized in North Dakota. Visiting young operators aged 12–15 who hold a valid home-state card may operate a 10+ HP motorboat or PWC without adult supervision on North Dakota waters.
As you plan an out-of-state boating adventure, learn more about using your boating license in another state.
Start Your North Dakota Boater Safety Course Today
The NDGFD-approved Boat-Ed course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device for operators aged 12 and older. Earn your lifetime North Dakota Boater Education Card and get on the water with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a boating license in North Dakota?
A: North Dakota does not issue a traditional boating license. The Boater Education Card is required only for operators aged 12 through 15 who want to operate a motorboat or PWC of more than 10 horsepower without an adult 18 or older on board. Operators 16 and older are not required by law to hold a card, though completing a course is strongly recommended.
Q: How old do you have to be?
A: The minimum age to operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP in North Dakota is 12, either with a Boater Education Card or with an adult 18 or older on board. No one under 12 may operate these vessels without an adult on board under any circumstances. You must be at least 12 years old to take the Boat-Ed online course.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The Boat-Ed online course fee is $54.95. Other NDGFD-approved providers range from $30–$80. The NDGFD home study option is free. There is no separate state fee for the North Dakota Boater Education Card.
Q: Does it expire?
A: No. The North Dakota 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 NDGFD approves several online course providers, including Boat-Ed. The Boat-Ed online course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device for operators aged 12 and older. After completing the course and passing the final exam, you can print a temporary card immediately and go boating right away. A free home study manual with a mail-in exam is also available from the NDGFD.
Q: Is my North Dakota card valid in other states?
A: Yes. The North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 are recognized in North Dakota. Visiting operators aged 12–15 who hold a valid home-state card may operate a 10+ HP motorboat or PWC without adult supervision on North Dakota waters. Always carry your home-state card and a valid photo ID while on board.
Q: What's the penalty for boating without a card?
A: Operators aged 12–15 who operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP without a card and without an adult on board can receive a citation and a fine. It is also unlawful for parents or guardians to knowingly permit a minor under 16 to operate a 10+ HP motorboat without authorization. NDGFD enforcement officers patrol North Dakota waterways. Always carry your card on board when required.
