Minnesota Watercraft Operator's Permit: Requirements, Cost, and Age Limits (2026)
Minnesota currently requires a Watercraft Operator's Permit for operators age 12 or older who were born after June 30, 2000. On July 1, 2027, the cutoff moves to June 30, 1996; non-PWC motorboats rated at 25 horsepower or less remain exempt.
Last verified 21 Aug 2026 against Minn. Stat. §§ 86B.30, subd. 3; 86B.303, subd. 1.
| Rule | Answer | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permit required? | conditional As of July 1, 2026, an operator age 12 or older who was born after June 30, 2000, must hold a Minnesota Watercraft Operator's Permit or have an accompanying operator to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft, unless an exemption applies. | Minn. Stat. §§ 86B.30, subd. 3; 86B.303, subd. 1 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Phase-in schedule | phased Minnesota is phasing the permit rule in by birth date. The current cutoff is after June 30, 2000. It moves to after June 30, 1996, on July 1, 2027, then to after June 30, 1987, on July 1, 2028. | Minn. Stat. § 86B.30, subd. 3 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Low-horsepower exemption | 25 horsepower A person of any age may operate a motorboat with a factory rating of 25 horsepower or less without a permit or accompanying operator. This exception does not apply to personal watercraft. | Minn. Stat. § 86B.303, subd. 5 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Operators younger than 12 | 12 years An operator younger than 12 may not operate a personal watercraft or a motorboat rated above 75 horsepower. A younger operator may operate a non-PWC motorboat rated below 75 horsepower only with an accompanying operator aboard. | Minn. Stat. § 86B.303, subd. 2 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Accompanying operator | 21 years An accompanying operator must be at least 21, aboard the motorboat or personal watercraft, within immediate reach of the controls, and holding a valid permit or qualifying as an exempt operator. | Minn. Stat. § 86B.30, subd. 2 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Cost | USD 34.95 The state-approved online course costs $34.95 once and includes unlimited final-exam attempts. After you pass, the permanent permit is mailed within three weeks. | Minnesota DNR | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Expires | No The Minnesota Watercraft Operator's Permit is valid for life and does not need to be renewed. | Minnesota DNR — New Boater Education Law | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Out-of-state certificates | Yes A nonresident using Minnesota waters for no more than 60 days is exempt when they meet the applicable requirements of their home state or country. Minnesota also recognizes a Canadian pleasure craft operator's card. | Minn. Stat. § 86B.30, subd. 4 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Rental requirements | conditional A motorboat rental business may rent only to someone age 18 or older who holds a valid watercraft operator's permit or qualifies as an exempt operator. The separate rental-course option satisfies the examination requirement for rental use. | Minn. Stat. § 86B.306, subds. 1, 3 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Rental-course certificate | 180 days The Minnesota watercraft rental course produces a certificate valid for 180 days for boats rented from a rental business. It is not the lifetime operator's permit and does not cover resort rentals. | Minn. Stat. § 86B.306, subd. 3 | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Lost credential replacement | Yes For a lost permit, contact the DNR at sara.pusc@state.mn.us. If you took the online course, you can also request a replacement at ilostmycard.com. | Minnesota DNR | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Re-verification interval | 90 days Recheck this page every 90 days rather than on the standard 180-day cycle. The next scheduled cutoff change takes effect July 1, 2027. | Minnesota DNR | 21 Aug 2026 |
Minnesota’s permit rule is still changing
This is a countdown, not a settled age cutoff. Right now, Minnesota’s permit rule applies to motorboat and personal-watercraft operators age 12 or older who were born after June 30, 2000. On July 1, 2027, the cutoff moves to people born after June 30, 1996. On July 1, 2028, it reaches people born after June 30, 1987. Check the date as well as your birth year before you launch. (Minn. Stat. §§ 86B.30, subd. 3; 86B.303, subd. 1)
Does a small motor need a permit?
Not always. A non-PWC motorboat with a factory rating of 25 horsepower or less may be operated by a person of any age without a permit or an accompanying operator. The exception belongs to the boat, not the operator: it disappears if the craft is a personal watercraft, even when its engine falls under that rating. (Minn. Stat. § 86B.303, subd. 5)
What can a child younger than 12 operate?
A child younger than 12 may not operate a personal watercraft or a motorboat rated above 75 horsepower. A non-PWC motorboat rated below 75 horsepower may be operated only with an accompanying operator aboard. That adult must be at least 21, remain within immediate reach of the controls, and hold a permit or qualify for an exemption. (Minn. Stat. §§ 86B.30, subd. 2; 86B.303, subd. 2)
Is the rental certificate the same permit?
No. A renter must be at least 18 and hold the lifetime operator’s permit or qualify for an exemption. Minnesota also has a short rental course whose certificate lasts 180 days and is limited to rental-business boats. It does not replace the lifetime permit for other boating, and resort rentals follow the ordinary permit rules instead. (Minn. Stat. § 86B.306)
What if I am visiting or lose my permit?
A nonresident using Minnesota waters for no more than 60 days follows the applicable credential rules of their home state or country. Minnesota also recognizes qualifying Canadian credentials. If your Minnesota permit is lost, email sara.pusc@state.mn.us; an online-course graduate can also use ilostmycard.com. The permanent permit itself is good for life and needs no renewal. (Minn. Stat. § 86B.30, subd. 4; Minnesota DNR)
Where to take the course
- BOATERexam Minnesota $34.95
What if you're taking the boat across a state line?
Whether Minnesota's card counts in a neighbouring state is that state's decision, not Minnesota's — and the answer differs by state and sometimes by how long you're staying. Check the one you're heading to:
We haven't covered Wisconsin yet — check with those states directly.