California Boater Card: Requirements, Cost, and Age Limits (2026)
You need a California Boater Card to operate an engine-powered vessel in California unless a statutory exemption applies. The card is valid for life. Operators aged 12 to 15 may operate a vessel over 15 horsepower only while supervised aboard by a card holder aged 18 or older.
Last verified 17 Aug 2026 against Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11.
| Rule | Answer | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card required? | Yes The card requirement applies to a vessel propelled by an engine even when the engine is not its principal source of propulsion. That includes an electric trolling motor. A craft powered only by a person has no engine and does not trigger the card requirement. California phased the rule in by age, and it now covers operators of every age unless an exemption applies. | Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11 | 17 Aug 2026 |
| Minimum age | 16 years No one under 16 may operate a motorized vessel over 15 horsepower. Two exceptions: a sailboat under 30 feet, and a dinghy run between a moored vessel and the shore. Operators aged 12 to 15 may operate such a vessel while someone 18 or older who holds a California Boater Card is aboard. | Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 658.5 | 16 Aug 2026 |
| Cost | USD 10.00 One-time $10 lifetime fee, plus a $1 online service fee at checkout. Replacement cards cost $5. The card never expires. | DBW | 17 Aug 2026 |
| Expires | No Once issued, the card is valid for life. There is no renewal cycle and no expiry date to track. | Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678(c) | 16 Aug 2026 |
| Nonresident visitors | exempt A nonresident temporarily using a vessel on California waters for fewer than 60 days is exempt from the California Boater Card requirement. | Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11 | 17 Aug 2026 |
| Who's exempt | Yes A person operating a rented vessel and an operator licensed by the United States Coast Guard are exempt from the California Boater Card requirement. | Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11 | 17 Aug 2026 |
| How you get it | See detail A temporary card arrives by email and is valid for 90 days. The official card is mailed within 30 days. | DBW | 17 Aug 2026 |
Does an electric trolling motor require a California Boater Card?
Yes. California’s rule applies to a vessel “propelled by an engine, regardless of whether the engine is the principal source of propulsion.” An electric trolling motor is still an engine, even if you mainly paddle or sail, so you need a California Boater Card to operate the vessel. The motor’s role as a backup rather than the main source of power does not change the answer. (Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11)
Do I need a California Boater Card for a kayak?
Not for a kayak or other craft powered only by a person. The card requirement turns on whether an engine propels the vessel, so a human-powered craft falls outside it. If you attach an electric trolling motor to the kayak, it becomes an engine-powered vessel for this rule and you need the card while operating it. (Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11)
Can a child aged 12 to 15 operate a boat over 15 horsepower?
Yes, but only with the required supervision aboard. An operator aged 12 to 15 may operate a motorized vessel over 15 horsepower while someone aged 18 or older who holds a California Boater Card is aboard. (Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 658.5)
Are out-of-state visitors exempt?
A nonresident temporarily using a vessel on California waters for fewer than 60 days is exempt from the California Boater Card requirement. Check the length of your stay before relying on that exemption. (Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11)
Are renters and Coast Guard–licensed operators exempt?
Yes. A person operating a rented vessel is exempt from the California Boater Card requirement. An operator licensed by the United States Coast Guard is also exempt. (Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678.11)
Does the California Boater Card expire?
No. Once the state issues your California Boater Card, it remains valid for your lifetime. There is no renewal cycle or expiration date to track. (Cal. Harb. & Nav. Code § 678(c))
Where to take the course
- Boat-Ed California $54.95
- BoatUS Foundation Free
What if you're taking the boat across a state line?
Reciprocity varies by state: check the rules of the state you're entering before you launch. California borders Arizona, Nevada and Oregon.