MA · State boating guide

Massachusetts
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; all motorboat and PWC operators born after January 1, 1989 (from April 1, 2026); operators born on or before January 1, 1989 must comply by April 1, 2028
Operating age: PWC operators must be at least 16, with no exceptions. No one under 12 may operate a motorboat unless accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 or older. A person over 12 without a certificate may operate a motorboat under the direct supervision of a certificate holder over 18.
Life-jacket age rule: Children under 12 must wear a life jacket whenever above deck on a vessel that is underway.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $44.00–$110.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 2 years

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Massachusetts?

Boater Safety Certificate is required for all motorboat and PWC operators born after January 1, 1989 (from April 1, 2026); operators born on or before January 1, 1989 must comply by April 1, 2028.

Confirm with Massachusetts Environmental Police, Boat and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau ↗

Under the Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, anyone born after January 1, 1989 must carry a boater safety certificate to operate a motorboat or PWC in Massachusetts as of April 1, 2026, and everyone born on or before that date must have one by April 1, 2028. PWC operators must be at least 16, and children under 12 may operate a motorboat only with direct adult supervision. Boats powered by machinery must be registered with the Massachusetts Environmental Police, and registration lasts two years. Children under 12, PWC riders and water skiers must wear life jackets, and the impairment limit is 0.08 BAC.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Massachusetts boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	all motorboat and PWC operators born after January 1, 1989 (from April 1, 2026); operators born on or before January 1, 1989 must comply by April 1, 2028
Card or certificate	Boater Safety Certificate
Minimum operating age	PWC operators must be at least 16, with no exceptions. No one under 12 may operate a motorboat unless accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 or older. A person over 12 without a certificate may operate a motorboat under the direct supervision of a certificate holder over 18.
Out-of-state cards	Non-residents with a valid boating safety certificate from any U.S. state or territory or from Transport Canada do not need a Massachusetts certificate. Massachusetts residents cannot use an out-of-state certificate, but can apply to convert a NASBLA-approved out-of-state certificate. A valid merchant mariner credential also counts.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

All boats powered by any kind of motor. Exempt: vessels with no motor (unpowered canoes, sailboats and dinghies), boats properly registered in another state using Massachusetts waters for 60 or fewer consecutive days, and USCG-documented vessels. A Certificate of Number is valid for two years from the date issued. Titles are a separate one-time $27.50 fee.

Under 16 feet$44.00
16 feet to less than 26 feet$66.00
26 feet to less than 40 feet$88.00
40 feet and greater$110.00

Registration fee data and sources

Massachusetts registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Under 16 feet	$44.00	2 years	Official source: Under 16 feet ↗
16 feet to less than 26 feet	$66.00	2 years	Official source: 16 feet to less than 26 feet ↗
26 feet to less than 40 feet	$88.00	2 years	Official source: 26 feet to less than 40 feet ↗
40 feet and greater	$110.00	2 years	Official source: 40 feet and greater ↗

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

Operators and passengers must wear an approved life jacket at all times.
Attach the safety lanyard to the operator and the engine cut-off switch.
No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise.
Stay at slow, no-wake speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of a swimmer, the shoreline, a water skier, a boat launch, a raft or float, or a moored or docked boat.
No operation by anyone under 16, on waters under 75 acres, or while towing people on skis, tubes or similar devices.

Towing & watersports

An observer at least 12 years old, besides the operator, must constantly watch the person being towed.
Everyone being towed must wear a USCG-approved wearable life jacket.
No towing from sunset to sunrise.
The towing boat must have a boarding ladder, steps, platform or similar device for retrieving the person towed.
A PWC may not be used to tow anyone.

Life jacket rules

Carry at least one USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board.
Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry a throwable device that is readily accessible.
Children under 12 must wear a life jacket whenever above deck on a vessel that is underway.
PWC riders and water skiers must wear a life jacket.
Everyone in a canoe or kayak must wear a life jacket from September 15 to May 15.

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

Boater safety certificates are required from April 1, 2026 for anyone born after January 1, 1989.
Everyone else needs a certificate by April 1, 2028.
You must be 16 to drive a PWC, and PWC may not tow anyone.
Registration lasts two years and starts at $44 for boats under 16 feet.
Canoe and kayak paddlers must wear life jackets September 15 to May 15.

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