AZ · State boating guide

Arizona
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: No general requirement; No one; boater education is voluntary in Arizona.
Operating age: A person under 12 may not operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower, including a PWC, unless there is an emergency, the child's parent or legal guardian is on board, or another person at least 18 is on board.
Life-jacket age rule: Children 12 and under must wear a USCG-approved life jacket whenever the vessel is underway.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $20.00–$66.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 1 year

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Arizona?

Arizona does not require a boater education card, though the Arizona Game and Fish Department offers free and online courses.

Confirm with Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) ↗

Arizona does not require a boater education card, though the Arizona Game and Fish Department offers free and online courses. Children under 12 may not run a boat or PWC with more than 8 hp unless a parent, guardian or someone 18 or older is aboard. Every motorized vessel, including electric-powered ones, needs an annual registration, children 12 and under must wear a life jacket, and the legal limit is 0.08 BAC.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Arizona boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	No — see the official requirements for exceptions
Who needs a card	No one; boater education is voluntary in Arizona.
Card or certificate	Arizona boater education certificate (voluntary)
Minimum operating age	A person under 12 may not operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower, including a PWC, unless there is an emergency, the child's parent or legal guardian is on board, or another person at least 18 is on board.
Out-of-state cards	Not applicable; Arizona has no mandatory boater education requirement.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

Every motorized watercraft, including those with electric motors, to operate, moor or anchor on Arizona waters. Exempt: non-motorized vessels, lifeboats, USCG-documented vessels, and vessels registered elsewhere that are in Arizona 90 or fewer consecutive days. Arizona is a non-title state.

Resident, 0 to 12 ft$20.00
Resident, 12 ft 1 in to 16 ft$22.00
Resident, 16 ft 1 in to 20 ft$30.00
Resident, 20 ft 1 in to 26 ft$35.00
Resident, 26 ft 1 in to 39 ft$39.00
Resident, 39 ft 1 in to 64 ft$44.00
Resident, over 64 ft$66.00

Registration fee data and sources

Arizona registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Resident, 0 to 12 ft	$20.00	1 year	Official source: Resident, 0 to 12 ft ↗
Resident, 12 ft 1 in to 16 ft	$22.00	1 year	Official source: Resident, 12 ft 1 in to 16 ft ↗
Resident, 16 ft 1 in to 20 ft	$30.00	1 year	Official source: Resident, 16 ft 1 in to 20 ft ↗
Resident, 20 ft 1 in to 26 ft	$35.00	1 year	Official source: Resident, 20 ft 1 in to 26 ft ↗
Resident, 26 ft 1 in to 39 ft	$39.00	1 year	Official source: Resident, 26 ft 1 in to 39 ft ↗
Resident, 39 ft 1 in to 64 ft	$44.00	1 year	Official source: Resident, 39 ft 1 in to 64 ft ↗
Resident, over 64 ft	$66.00	1 year	Official source: Resident, over 64 ft ↗

Published registration fees in USD. Bar lengths compare the listed amounts; terms and official sources appear in the data table below.

Registration details from the agency

Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules

Everyone on board a PWC must wear a USCG-approved wearable life jacket, fastened and snug.
If the PWC has a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch, the lanyard must be attached to the operator's body, clothing or life jacket.
No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise or in restricted visibility unless it has proper navigation lights.
Doing two or more risky acts at once, such as running within 60 feet of another vessel above wakeless speed or jumping a wake within 60 feet, counts as reckless operation.
Children under 12 may not operate a PWC unless a parent, guardian or someone 18 or older is on board.

Towing & watersports

A vessel towing a skier or wakesurfer must carry an observer at least 12 years old in addition to the operator.
Everyone being towed or wakesurfing must wear a life jacket.
No towing on water skis, surfboards or similar devices from sunset to sunrise.
The observer must watch the skier continuously and show a skier-down flag when a skier is in the water.
Keep a reasonable distance from other vessels, people and property.

Life jacket rules

Carry one USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board, including on paddleboards and kayaks (sailboards and some racing shells excepted).
Vessels 16 feet or longer, except canoes and kayaks, must also carry a throwable device.
Children 12 and under must wear a USCG-approved life jacket whenever the vessel is underway.
Everyone on a PWC and everyone being towed or wakesurfing must wear one.

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 boater education card is required in Arizona.
Kids under 12 need a parent, guardian or adult 18+ aboard to drive anything over 8 hp.
Registration is annual and starts at $20 for residents.
Nonresidents pay an extra Non-Resident Boating Infrastructure Fee on top of registration.
Boats with electric trolling motors must be registered.

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