BOATsmart! + Campfire Collective

Campfire Collective helps people have awesome outdoor adventures. We’re on a mission to get you to the water, trail, field and mountain with more confidence. Learn more about our online courses and what we do.

BOATSMART! IS FUELLED BY THE CAMPFIRE COLLECTIVE

BOATING KNOWLEDGE BASE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BOATING

Select Your Country

Is a Boating License Required In California?

Not for everyone yet. From 2018 to 2025, the state is phasing in mandatory boater education based on operator age, requiring boaters to have a boating license in order to legally operate a motorized vessel on California waterways (including powered sailboats and paddlecraft). Beginning January 1, 2018, the mandatory education law for boaters in California applies to persons aged 20 and under. Here is the full list of dates by which boating licenses will be required:

Everyone 20 years old and under – Jan 1, 2018
Everyone 25 years old and under – Jan 1, 2019
Everyone 35 years old and under – Jan 1, 2020
Everyone 40 years old and under – Jan 1, 2021
Everyone 45 years old and under – Jan 1, 2022
Everyone 50 years old and under – Jan 1, 2023
Everyone 60 years old and under – Jan 1, 2024
Everyone regardless of age – Jan 1, 2025

There are additional benefits to being a BOATsmart! cardholder – once you’ve obtained the card, it will be good for life, it will keep you legal when boating in other states, and you’ll even save money on your boat insurance. Get your California Boater Card now and be prepared for the change!