AK · State boating guide
Alaska
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- No general requirement
- no one; Alaska law has no mandatory boater education requirement, though the Office of Boating Safety highly recommends a NASBLA-approved course
- Operating age
- Alaska's boating statutes (AS 05.25) set no minimum age to operate a boat.
- Life-jacket age rule
- Anyone under 13 must wear a life jacket in an open boat, on the deck of a boat, or while being towed.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC
- Registration fee
- $10.00–$44.00
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 3 years
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in Alaska?
Alaska has no boating license or mandatory boater education, and its boating statutes set no minimum operator age; the Office of Boating Safety strongly recommends a NASBLA-approved course.
Confirm with Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of Boating Safety ↗Alaska has no boating license or mandatory boater education, and its boating statutes set no minimum operator age; the Office of Boating Safety strongly recommends a NASBLA-approved course. Boats with any kind of motor, including electric motors, must be registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles for $24 per three-year term ($10 for non-powered boats that register). Anyone under 13 must wear a life jacket in an open boat, on deck or while being towed, and operating a boat with a 0.08 BAC or higher is a crime under Alaska's DUI law.
Before you operate
Boater education & operating age
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education required | No — see the official requirements for exceptions |
| Who needs a card | no one; Alaska law has no mandatory boater education requirement, though the Office of Boating Safety highly recommends a NASBLA-approved course |
| Minimum operating age | Alaska's boating statutes (AS 05.25) set no minimum age to operate a boat. |
| Out-of-state cards | No Alaska boating license or card is required, so none is needed by visitors. The Office of Boating Safety notes that a NASBLA-approved course meets the mandatory education rules of many other states. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
Any boat on state waters with mechanical propulsion (gas, diesel or steam engines and electric motors) and any boat used in sport fishing charters must be registered and numbered with the Division of Motor Vehicles; the Certificate of Number must be aboard and decals displayed. Registration runs on a three-year term. Exempt: non-powered boats such as kayaks and canoes (unless they have auxiliary power or are used by a sport fishing guide), ships' lifeboats, seaplanes, inspected passenger vessels, water toys, and boats validly registered elsewhere that are not operated more than 90 consecutive days in Alaska. Undocumented boats longer than 24 feet must also be titled ($44 title fee). Boats not principally used in Alaska cannot be registered there.
- Powered boat registration (three-year term)$24.00
- Non-powered boat registration (three-year term)$10.00
- Boat title$44.00
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powered boat registration (three-year term) | $24.00 | 3 years | Official source: Powered boat registration (three-year term) ↗ |
| Non-powered boat registration (three-year term) | $10.00 | 3 years | Official source: Non-powered boat registration (three-year term) ↗ |
| Boat title | $44.00 | Not published | Official source: Boat title ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- Alaska has no PWC-specific state statute; PWC are boats and follow the same laws, including registration with the DMV.
- On U.S. navigable waters, operators of boats under 26 feet with an engine cut-off device, which includes most PWC, must use it when on plane or above displacement speed (federal rule since April 1, 2021).
- Anyone under 13 must wear a life jacket on a PWC, as on any open boat.
- No operating a boat, including a PWC, in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers people or property.
Towing & watersports
- A boat towing a person on water skis, a surfboard or similar must have either a rearview mirror showing the person towed or an observer aged 12 or older besides the operator.
- No towing a person under 13 unless they wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
- No towing in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers the life or property of another person.
Life jacket rules
- Carry one USCG-approved life jacket for each person on board, in serviceable condition and approved for the activity.
- Anyone under 13 must wear a life jacket in an open boat, on the deck of a boat, or while being towed.
- Boats 16 feet and longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry one USCG-approved throwable device.
Boating under the influence
Published limit: 0.08 BAC. Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.
At a glance
- No boating license or mandatory education in Alaska.
- Motorized boats, including electric-motor boats, register with the DMV: $24 for three years.
- Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket in open boats, on deck and when towed.
- Out-of-state boats may run 90 consecutive days without Alaska registration.
- Alaska's DUI law covers watercraft at 0.08 BAC.
Plan your day
Before you launch
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Sources and last checked
Sources
Official guidance is the final reference. Rules and fees may change after this guide’s verification date.
- Alaska's Boating Laws and Regulations ↗Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of Boating Safety
- Alaska Statutes Title 5, Chapter 25 (Watercraft) ↗Alaska Department of Natural Resources
- Alaska Requirements Summary Card ↗Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of Boating Safety
- Alaska Boater's Handbook, 2026 ↗Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Office of Boating Safety
- Boat Title & Registration ↗Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
- AS 28.35.030, Operating a vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft while under the influence ↗Alaska Legislature
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