NV · State boating guide

Nevada
boating laws

Last verified October 29, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; operators born on or after January 1, 1983, of a boat powered by a motor over 15 horsepower on interstate waters (waters forming the boundary between Nevada and a neighboring state)
Operating age: PWC operators must be at least 14. To operate a boat towing a skier or other device you must be at least 16, or 14 with a person 18 or older aboard in a position to supervise.
Life-jacket age rule: Children under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever underway, unless in a fully enclosed area.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $6.00–$100.00; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 1 year

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Nevada?

Proof of an NDOW-approved boater education course or proficiency exam is required for operators born on or after January 1, 1983, of a boat powered by a motor over 15 horsepower on interstate waters (waters forming the boundary between Nevada and a neighboring state).

Confirm with Nevada Department of Wildlife ↗

Nevada requires an NDOW-approved boater education course or proficiency exam for anyone born on or after January 1, 1983, who operates a boat over 15 horsepower on interstate waters, meaning waters on Nevada's border with another state. PWC operators must be at least 14. Motorized boats are registered with NDOW every year, from $20 for boats under 13 feet to $100 for boats 31 feet and longer, and nearly every boat also needs a $13 (motorized) or $6 (non-motorized) aquatic invasive species decal. Children under 13 must wear a life jacket while underway, and the BUI limit is 0.08 BAC.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Nevada boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	operators born on or after January 1, 1983, of a boat powered by a motor over 15 horsepower on interstate waters (waters forming the boundary between Nevada and a neighboring state)
Card or certificate	Proof of an NDOW-approved boater education course or proficiency exam
Minimum operating age	PWC operators must be at least 14. To operate a boat towing a skier or other device you must be at least 16, or 14 with a person 18 or older aboard in a position to supervise.
Out-of-state cards	People renting a boat in Nevada must meet the boating education requirements of their own state of residence and receive a safety briefing. The handbook does not otherwise say how out-of-state cards are treated.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

Every motorized vessel on Nevada public waters needs a Nevada Certificate of Number and validation decals from NDOW, renewed yearly; the registration card must be aboard. Exempt: non-motorized vessels (canoes, kayaks, sailboats without engines), ships' lifeboats, and boats registered in another state using Nevada waters 90 or fewer consecutive days. Titling costs $20. Separately, all watercraft that can hold water, including motorized boats, canoes, kayaks and non-motorized sailboats, must display a Nevada AIS decal; float tubes, paddleboards, inner tubes and water toys are exempt. A nominal processing fee is added to registration.

Under 13 feet$20.00
13 to under 18 feet$25.00
18 to under 22 feet$40.00
22 to under 26 feet$55.00
26 to under 31 feet$75.00
31 feet or longer$100.00
Title (certificate of ownership)$20.00
AIS decal, motorized watercraft$13.00
AIS decal, non-motorized watercraft$6.00

Registration fee data and sources

Nevada registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Under 13 feet	$20.00	1 year	Official source: Under 13 feet ↗
13 to under 18 feet	$25.00	1 year	Official source: 13 to under 18 feet ↗
18 to under 22 feet	$40.00	1 year	Official source: 18 to under 22 feet ↗
22 to under 26 feet	$55.00	1 year	Official source: 22 to under 26 feet ↗
26 to under 31 feet	$75.00	1 year	Official source: 26 to under 31 feet ↗
31 feet or longer	$100.00	1 year	Official source: 31 feet or longer ↗
Title (certificate of ownership)	$20.00	Not published	Official source: Title (certificate of ownership) ↗
AIS decal, motorized watercraft	$13.00	1 year	Official source: AIS decal, motorized watercraft ↗
AIS decal, non-motorized watercraft	$6.00	1 year	Official source: AIS decal, non-motorized watercraft ↗

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 riding on or towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG-approved life jacket; inflatables are not allowed.
If the PWC has a lanyard engine cut-off switch, the operator must attach it to their person, clothing or life jacket when going faster than 5 mph.
PWC operators must be at least 14.
No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise unless equipped with the required navigation lights.
Doing two or more risky maneuvers at once near another vessel, such as wake jumping, sharp swerving or blocking visibility within five boat lengths, counts as reckless operation.

Towing & watersports

The towing boat's operator must be at least 16, or 14 with a supervising person 18 or older aboard.
Carry an observer besides the operator who is at least 14, or at least 12 with another passenger 18 or older aboard.
The observer must display an orange skier-down flag whenever the towed person is in the water.
Everyone being towed must wear a USCG-approved life jacket; inflatables are not allowed.
No towing people on skis, surfboards or other devices between sunset and sunrise.

Life jacket rules

Carry one USCG-approved life jacket for each person on board or being towed (sailboards excepted).
Boats 16 to 40 feet must also carry one throwable device; boats 40 feet or longer must carry two, one forward and one aft.
Children under 13 must wear a life jacket whenever underway, unless in a fully enclosed area.
Everyone on a PWC or being towed must wear a non-inflatable USCG-approved life jacket.
Stand-up paddleboards are vessels: carry a life jacket, and children under 13 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

Born on or after Jan. 1, 1983? You need boater education to run a boat over 15 hp on interstate waters.
PWC operators must be at least 14.
Registration is annual, from $20 to $100 by length.
Nearly every boat, including kayaks and canoes, needs an AIS decal: $13 motorized, $6 non-motorized.
Out-of-state boats may use Nevada waters 90 consecutive days without Nevada registration.

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