Boating requirements · Montana
Montana requires boater education for youth operators. Youths 13 and 14 years old may operate a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a motor rated over…
Montana requires boater education for youth operators. Youths 13 and 14 years old may operate a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a motor rated over 10 horsepower only if they hold a valid Montana Motorboat Operator’s Certificate (or an equivalent NASBLA-approved certificate), or are accompanied by someone 18 or older.
| Who needs a boater education card | Required for youths 13-14 only. A 13- or 14-year-old may operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP only if they hold a valid Montana motorboat operator's safety certificate (or an equivalent NASBLA course) or are accompanied by someone at least 18. Operators 15 and older are not required. |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to operate | Children 12 and under may not operate a motorboat or PWC over 10 HP unless accompanied by someone at least 18. |
| Typical course cost | free home-study (FWP); online about $40 |
| Issuing / regulatory agency | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) |
| Card validity | Lifetime — good for life. |
Montana requires boater education for youth operators. Youths 13 and 14 years old may operate a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by a motor rated over 10 horsepower only if they hold a valid Montana Motorboat Operator’s Certificate (or an equivalent NASBLA-approved certificate), or are accompanied by someone 18 or older.
Not birth-year — youth band 13-14; 15+ exempt.
Montana accepts the Montana Motorboat Operator’s course (a free home-study option) and NASBLA-approved courses from other states or organizations. Classes are also sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Recreational boating in Montana is overseen by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), the authoritative source for current requirements. BoatingClasses.com is an independent directory — not a government or certifying body. Boating laws change, so always confirm current requirements with the official agency before operating a vessel.
Providers serving Montana — featured and top-rated first. Confirm a course is accepted in Montana before you enroll.
Online captain’s license school, founded in 2002: the OUPV course is $695 and the 100-Ton Master $895, with the proctored final exam taken online.
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A NASBLA-approved online boater safety course: a flat $39.95 in most states for the course, exam and card, approved in 22 states including Florida, New York and California.
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An online boater safety course from Kalkomey, an official state-delegated provider, that earns the state boater education card in nearly every state.
Online NASBLA-approved boater safety courses for many US states (and a Canadian option), issuing the required boater education card.
An interactive, game-style online boater safety course from Kalkomey, the company behind Boat-Ed, running its own course in 13 states.
Online USCG captain's license courses (OUPV through Master/Mate 200 Ton) with self-paced study and a proctored online exam.
A long-running maritime school offering USCG captain's license and professional courses online and at Southeast US campuses.
A free, NASBLA-approved online boating safety course from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation.
The sailing-certification body (ASA 101–108) whose standards are taught by a nationwide network of affiliated schools.
Passing the course is one half of boating legally in Montana; carrying the right equipment is the other. These five are the ones first-time boaters are most often missing, and four of them are federal requirements. Confirm what applies to your boat with the U.S. Coast Guard and Montana's boating agency.
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One properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket is required for every person aboard.
Shop on AmazonOn a boat under 26 feet, federal law requires the operator to use the engine cut-off link whenever the boat is on plane or above displacement speed — unless the main helm is inside an enclosed cabin. U.S. Coast Guard
Shop on AmazonA Type IV cushion or ring buoy to toss to someone in the water — required on most boats 16 feet and longer.
Shop on AmazonRequired on boats with a permanently installed fuel tank or any space that can trap fumes. The label must read "Marine Type — USCG Approved", and since April 2022 a disposable extinguisher more than 12 years past its stamped date is expired. U.S. Coast Guard
Shop on AmazonAn audible signalling device so you can warn other vessels and signal in reduced visibility.
Shop on AmazonBuilding a full kit? Read the complete new boater essentials checklist — ten items, what the law requires, and what is simply worth having.
Take our free readiness check — real NASBLA/USCG questions on navigation rules, lights, and distress signals — and see exactly what you don't know before you enroll.
Every factual claim on this page traces to one of these. The date is when we last checked it against the source.
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