Oklahoma

Age Requirements:

In Oklahoma, all motorboat operators aged 12- 16 must successfully pass a state approved boating course or equivalency exam and must be supervised by a competent adult who is at least 18 years of age in order to operate on Oklahoma waters.

No person under the age of 12 may operate a vessel powered by a motor or combination of motors in excess of 10 hp, a personal watercraft (PWC) or any sail-powered vessel 16 feet or greater in length.

Persons under 12 years of age:

• Must possess during operation, a boating safety education certificate indicating they have successfully passed a state approved boating course or equivalency exam
• Must be supervised by a competent adult who is at least 18 years of age.
• Shall not operate any other powercraft greater than 10 hp unless under the direct visual and audible supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older who is aboard the powercraft
• If the vessel is a PWC, the adult must be visually supervising within 500 yards of the PWC
• If the vessel is other than a PWC, the supervising adult must be on board and in position to take immediate control

Other Information:

All vessel operators must carry with them during operation either their boating safety education certificate/card as approved by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation or photo identification proving the operator is at least 16 years of age.

Visiting boaters who have completed another state’s boating safety course as recognized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and approved by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are exempt from Oklahoma’s boater education requirement.

1. After you complete the course you will be issued a printable copy of your certificate that you can print yourself and use immediately.

2. You will also have the option of ordering a Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation approved, waterproof plastic card for $15. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your card to arrive.