MO · State boating guide

Missouri
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; anyone born after January 1, 1984 who operates any vessel on Missouri lakes, residents and non-residents alike
Operating age: No one under 14 may operate a motorboat or PWC unless under the direct, on-board supervision of a parent, guardian or other person 16 or older.
Life-jacket age rule: Boats under 16 feet must carry a wearable or throwable device for each person (federal law still requires a wearable for each person).
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $25.00–$150.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 3 years

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Missouri?

Boating Safety Identification Card (or a Missouri driver's or non-driver's license with a boating safety endorsement) is required for anyone born after January 1, 1984 who operates any vessel on Missouri lakes, residents and non-residents alike.

Confirm with Missouri State Highway Patrol, Water Patrol Division ↗

Missouri requires anyone born after January 1, 1984 who operates a vessel on the state's lakes to carry a boating safety identification card from an approved course, or a Missouri license with a boating endorsement. Operators must be at least 14 unless a parent, guardian or other person 16 or older supervises on board. Motorized boats and sailboats over 12 feet are registered with the Department of Revenue for three years, expiring June 30 of the third year. Children under 7 must wear a life jacket, everyone on a PWC must wear one, and the intoxication limit is 0.08 BAC.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Missouri boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	anyone born after January 1, 1984 who operates any vessel on Missouri lakes, residents and non-residents alike
Card or certificate	Boating Safety Identification Card (or a Missouri driver's or non-driver's license with a boating safety endorsement)
Minimum operating age	No one under 14 may operate a motorboat or PWC unless under the direct, on-board supervision of a parent, guardian or other person 16 or older.
Out-of-state cards	For PWC operation, the handbook accepts a NASBLA-approved boating safety card issued by the MSHP or another state. Holders of a USCG or Power Squadron course certificate may apply for an MSHP card.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

All motorized vessels, including jet skis, and sailboats over 12 feet. Exempt: non-motorized vessels, sailboats 12 feet or less, and boats registered in other states using Missouri waters for 60 consecutive days or less. Motorized vessels and sailboats over 12 feet must also be titled. A Certificate of Number is valid for three years and expires June 30 of the third year. A $9 processing fee is added to each fee below; outboard motors are registered separately for $2 plus $9 processing.

Under 16 feet$25.00
16 feet but less than 26 feet$55.00
26 feet but less than 40 feet$100.00
40 feet and over$150.00

Registration fee data and sources

Missouri registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Under 16 feet	$25.00	3 years	Official source: Under 16 feet ↗
16 feet but less than 26 feet	$55.00	3 years	Official source: 16 feet but less than 26 feet ↗
26 feet but less than 40 feet	$100.00	3 years	Official source: 26 feet but less than 40 feet ↗
40 feet and over	$150.00	3 years	Official source: 40 feet and over ↗

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 while underway must wear a USCG-approved wearable life jacket.
If the PWC has a lanyard engine cut-off switch, the lanyard must be attached to the operator.
You must be at least 14 to operate a PWC unless a supervising person 16 or older is on board.
Operators born after January 1, 1984 need a NASBLA-approved boating safety card.
No weaving through congested traffic, jumping another boat's wake when visibility is obstructed, or becoming airborne crossing a wake within 100 feet of the other boat.

Towing & watersports

A boat or PWC towing a skier, wakeboarder or similar must have an observer besides the operator (preferably 12 or older) or an approved ski mirror at least 3 by 8 inches giving 180-degree rear vision; built-in PWC mirrors do not count.
Towing a parasailer requires an observer at least 12 years old.
Towing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset.
On the Mississippi River, Missouri River and Missouri lakes, display a skier-down flag from 11 a.m. to sunset whenever the towed person is in the water.

Life jacket rules

Boats 16 feet or longer must carry a USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board or being towed, plus one throwable device.
Boats under 16 feet must carry a wearable or throwable device for each person (federal law still requires a wearable for each person).
Children under 7 must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times on board unless in a fully enclosed cabin.
Everyone on a PWC must wear a life jacket.

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 education applies to anyone born after January 1, 1984 boating on Missouri lakes.
Operators must be 14, or supervised on board by someone 16 or older.
Registration lasts three years and starts at $25 (plus $9 processing) for boats under 16 feet.
Kids under 7 must wear a life jacket.
Towing is allowed only from sunrise to sunset.

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