How to Get Your Vermont Boating License
Getting on the water in Vermont starts with knowing whether you need a Boating Safety Education Certificate. Vermont requires a Boating Safety Education Certificate for anyone born after January 1, 1974, who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft on Vermont waters. The certificate is issued through Vermont State Police-approved course providers and is valid for life.
There is no horsepower minimum. The requirement applies to all motorized vessels and PWC regardless of engine size.
This guide walks you through how to get your Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate, step by step.
What Is the Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate?
The Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate is what most people mean when they search for a Vermont boating license. It is not a traditional license. It's proof that you completed a Vermont State Police-approved boating safety course and passed the required exam.
The certificate is issued through approved course providers under the authority of the Vermont State Police Marine Division. 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 or personal watercraft on Vermont waters.
Who Needs a Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate?
Vermont law requires a Boating Safety Education Certificate for anyone born after January 1, 1974, who is 12 years of age or older and operates a motorboat or personal watercraft on Vermont public waters. There is no horsepower minimum.
If you were born on or before January 1, 1974, you are exempt from the certificate requirement, though completing a course is strongly recommended.
Exemptions for the Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate
Vermont 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 Vermont Boating License If: |
| You were born on or before January 1, 1974. |
| You hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard commercial boating license. |
| You are a non-resident visitor with a valid NASBLA-approved boating safety certificate from your home state or country. |
| You are operating a non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, paddleboard, rowboat, etc.). |
Vermont Boater Certificate Requirements by Age
Vermont's age-based rules set a minimum age for motorboat operation and certificate eligibility. The table below summarizes what applies at each stage.
| Vermont Boater Card Requirements (by Age): | ||
| Under 12 | May operate a motorboat only if a competent adult is on board and in direct supervision | N/A |
| 12 and older (born after 1/1/1974) | May obtain a certificate and operate a motorboat or PWC. Must carry a certificate on board. | Yes |
| 12 and older (born on or before 1/1/1974) | No certificate required | N/A |
PWC rule: No one under 16 may operate a personal watercraft under any circumstances in Vermont. Operators 16 and older who were born after January 1, 1974, must hold a valid Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a PWC.
How to Get Your Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate (Step-by-Step)
Vermont'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 Vermont State Police-Approved Boating Safety Course
You can complete the required course online or in a classroom. Both options are approved by the Vermont State Police Marine Division and lead to the same lifetime certificate. You must be at least 12 years old to take the Boat-Ed online course.
- Online course: The Boat-Ed Vermont-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 VT providers range from $30–$80.
- In-person classroom course: Vermont State Police-approved 8-hour classroom courses are offered statewide by certified volunteer instructors. Some options are free. Check the Vermont State Police Marine Division website 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 Boating Safety Education Certificate immediately and go boating right away.
Step 3: Receive Your Certificate and Hit the Water
After passing the online course exam, you can print a temporary certificate immediately. Your permanent Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate arrives by mail after course completion.
Vermont law requires you to carry your certificate aboard the vessel whenever you operate a motorboat or PWC. Always carry your card when boating. Failure to carry it when required can result in a fine.
Vermont law also provides a fix-it provision. If you are charged with failing to have your certificate and you produce a valid certificate in court, the charge will not result in a conviction.
Course Formats and Costs
What are the various formats and costs to get a Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate?
| Vermont 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 VSP-approved providers | $30–$80 | Self-paced | Yes — included at the end of the course |
| In-Person Classroom | Vermont State Police-approved instructors | Varies (some free) | 8 hours (1 day) | Yes — included |
All Vermont Boating Safety Education 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
- Payment for the course (if using an online provider)
- Proof of age (minimum age 12 to take the Boat-Ed online course)
Reciprocity: Is Your Vermont Certificate Valid in Other States?
Yes.
The Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate is NASBLA-approved, which means it is recognized in U.S. states, territories, and Canadian provinces that honor NASBLA-compliant cards. Review our page on Vermont Boating Laws and Regulations for full details.
Non-resident visitors with a valid NASBLA-approved certificate from their home state or country may operate on Vermont waters without obtaining a Vermont certificate. Learn more about using your boating license in another state.
Start Your Vermont Boater Safety Course Today
The Vermont State Police-approved Boat-Ed course is self-paced, NASBLA-approved, and available on any device. Earn your lifetime Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate and get on the water with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a boating license in Vermont?
A: Vermont does not issue a traditional boating license. Instead, anyone born after January 1, 1974, who is 12 years of age or older must hold a valid Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a motorboat or PWC on Vermont public waters. There is no horsepower minimum; the requirement applies to all motorized vessels. If you were born on or before January 1, 1974, you are not required to hold a certificate, though completing a course is strongly recommended.
Q: How old do you have to be?
A: The minimum age to obtain a Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate is 12. No one under 12 may operate a motorboat without a competent adult on board in direct supervision. No one under 16 may operate a personal watercraft 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 Vermont State Police-approved providers range from $30–$80, with some free options available. There is no separate state fee for the Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate.
Q: Does it expire?
A: No. The Vermont Boating Safety Education 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. The Vermont State Police 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 Vermont certificate valid in other states?
A: Yes. The Vermont Boating Safety Education 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 Vermont 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 NASBLA-approved boating safety certificate from their home state or country may operate on Vermont waters without obtaining a Vermont certificate. 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 Vermont Boating Safety Education Certificate can result in a citation and fine. Vermont law provides a fix-it provision. If you are charged and can produce a valid certificate in court, you will not be convicted. Vermont State Police Marine Division officers patrol Vermont waterways. Always carry your certificate on board.
