How to Get a Boating License in Maine
Individuals born on or after January 1, 1999 who operate personal watercraft of any size or motorboats exceeding 25 horsepower in Maine are required to complete a boater-education course and carry a Maine boater safety and education certificate. Those born before that date should confirm their obligations with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, as requirements may differ based on vessel type and location.
The approved course must be recognized by NASBLA (North American Safe Boating Council). Individuals should consult the official Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website to verify the current list of approved course providers and instructors, as offerings and rules may change. Upon successful completion of the course and passing the associated test, the course provider issues the certificate.
Once obtained, the Maine boater safety and education certificate must be carried while operating the vessel. For operations in coastal waters, the Maine Department of Marine Resources Marine Patrol enforces these requirements alongside other state boating regulations. Individuals uncertain about their specific obligations should contact the appropriate state agency directly.
- Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
- Take the accepted course: Maine boater safety and education course certificate (MDIFW-approved).
- 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 Maine → · Full requirements →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW); Dept. of Marine Resources Marine Patrol (coastal waters) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.