Who Needs a Boating License in Montana
In Montana, boater-education requirements apply selectively based on age and supervision. Operators aged 13 to 14 must carry a Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate if they operate a motorboat or personal watercraft over 10 horsepower without adult supervision. Individuals aged 15 and older are not required to hold the certificate, nor are younger operators when accompanied by someone 18 or older. Children 12 and under may operate such vessels only with an adult 18 or older aboard.
The Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate is a NASBLA-approved credential that satisfies the state's education requirement. The minimum operating age for motorboats and PWCs over 10 horsepower is 13 years old, provided the operator holds the certificate or is supervised by an adult 18 or older. Montana recognizes boater-education certificates from other states. Prospective operators should confirm current requirements and any recent regulatory changes with the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks agency.
| Detail | As the state publishes it |
|---|---|
| Education card required? | Required for some operators |
| Who needs it | none (age-based): ages 13-14 operating a motorboat/PWC over 10 hp unattended; not required for 15+ or when accompanied by someone 18+ |
| Minimum operating age | 13 (motorboat/PWC over 10 hp) if certified or accompanied by an 18+ adult; 12 and under only with an 18+ adult aboard |
| Accepted credential | Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate (NASBLA-approved course) |
| Reciprocity (other states' cards) | yes |
| Rental / livery rule | Verify on the official state agency page |
| Fees | free (USCG Auxiliary/FWP home-study and BoatUS course free; commercial online ~$40-55) |
| Administering agency | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) |
Do you need a licence in Montana? → · How to get licensed →
Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.