How to Get a Boating License in Delaware
Delaware requires a Boating Safety Education Certificate for certain residents operating motorboats. Individuals born on or after January 1, 1978, must obtain this credential before operating a motorboat in Delaware waters. Those born before that date may have different requirements and should confirm their obligations with the state agency.
The certificate is earned by completing a NASBLA-approved boater-education course and passing the associated test. The Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, Office of Boating Safety and Education, maintains the official list of accepted courses. The certificate is valid for life and should be carried while operating a motorboat.
Prospective boaters should visit the Delaware DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife website to confirm the current course offerings, eligibility rules, and any other applicable requirements before enrolling in a course.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: Delaware Boating Safety Education Certificate (NASBLA-approved course; valid for life).
- Pass the test and receive your card or certificate.
- Carry it aboard whenever you operate, and confirm the current rule on the official state page.
Carry the card every time you operate
Once you’ve earned the card, keep it aboard whenever you operate — many states require you to show it on request, and a card from one state is usually honored in another. If you’ll boat across state lines, check each state’s rule, since the covered ages and accepted credentials differ. Always confirm the current requirement on the official state agency page.
Course & fees for Delaware → · Full requirements →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Delaware DNREC, Division of Fish & Wildlife, Office of Boating Safety and Education page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.