PA · State boating guide
Pennsylvania
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- Required for specified operators
- all personal watercraft operators, and operators born on or after January 1, 1982 running a boat with a motor over 25 horsepower
- Operating age
- No one 11 or younger may operate a PWC or a boat over 25 hp. Ages 12 through 15 may not operate a PWC with any passenger 15 or younger on board, and no one under 16 may operate a rented PWC.
- Life-jacket age rule
- Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or less and in all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC (0.02 for minors)
- Registration fee
- $22.00–$52.00
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 2 years
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in Pennsylvania?
Boating Safety Education Certificate is required for all personal watercraft operators, and operators born on or after January 1, 1982 running a boat with a motor over 25 horsepower.
Confirm with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission ↗Pennsylvania requires a Boating Safety Education Certificate for every personal watercraft operator and for anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a boat with a motor over 25 horsepower. All powered boats must be registered, and registration lasts up to two years; unpowered boats need a registration or launch permit only to use Fish and Boat Commission or state park and forest accesses. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket underway on boats 20 feet or less and in all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, and the legal limit is 0.08 BAC.
Before you operate
Boater education & operating age
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education required | Yes — see who needs a card below |
| Who needs a card | all personal watercraft operators, and operators born on or after January 1, 1982 running a boat with a motor over 25 horsepower |
| Card or certificate | Boating Safety Education Certificate |
| Minimum operating age | No one 11 or younger may operate a PWC or a boat over 25 hp. Ages 12 through 15 may not operate a PWC with any passenger 15 or younger on board, and no one under 16 may operate a rented PWC. |
| Out-of-state cards | Out-of-state boaters must have a certificate from a NASBLA-approved course. Completers of a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron or other state's NASBLA-approved course can apply for a Pennsylvania certificate. The permanent certificate fee is $10 and the card is good for life. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
All powered boats. Unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddleboards and sail-only sailboats) do not have to be registered, but must be registered or display a launch permit to use Fish and Boat Commission or DCNR state park and state forest accesses. Registrations are valid for up to two years.
- Unpowered boat$22.00
- Motorboat under 16 feet$26.00
- Motorboat 16 to less than 20 feet$39.00
- Motorboat 20 feet and over$52.00
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unpowered boat | $22.00 | 2 years | Official source: Unpowered boat ↗ |
| Motorboat under 16 feet | $26.00 | 2 years | Official source: Motorboat under 16 feet ↗ |
| Motorboat 16 to less than 20 feet | $39.00 | 2 years | Official source: Motorboat 16 to less than 20 feet ↗ |
| Motorboat 20 feet and over | $52.00 | 2 years | Official source: Motorboat 20 feet and over ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- Every PWC operator, regardless of age, must have a Boating Safety Education Certificate.
- The operator and all passengers must wear life jackets; inflatable life jackets are not acceptable.
- Attach the cut-off switch lanyard to your clothing, body or life jacket.
- No PWC operation from sunset to sunrise.
- No one 11 or younger may operate a PWC; ages 12 through 15 may not carry passengers 15 or younger, and no one under 16 may operate a rented PWC.
- A PWC with a capacity of three or fewer may not tow more than one person on a towed device.
Towing & watersports
- Everyone being towed must wear a USCG-approved life jacket; inflatable life jackets are not acceptable.
- A competent observer, in addition to the operator, must be on board watching the person being towed.
- No boat-towed watersports between sunset and sunrise.
- Tow ropes must be at least 20 feet long, and no more than 80 feet for conventional water skiing (the minimum does not apply to wake surfing).
- Wake surfing boats must stay at slow, no-wake speed within 200 feet of shorelines, docks, launch ramps, swimmers and anchored or drifting boats.
Life jacket rules
- Carry a USCG-approved life jacket for each person on board.
- Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or less and in all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
- From November 1 through April 30, everyone must wear a life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats under 16 feet and on any canoe, kayak or paddleboard.
Boating under the influence
Published limit: 0.08 BAC (0.02 for minors). Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.
At a glance
- Every PWC operator needs a Boating Safety Education Certificate, whatever their age.
- Born on or after January 1, 1982? You need the certificate for motors over 25 hp.
- Registration lasts up to two years and starts at $26 for motorboats under 16 feet.
- Cold-weather life jacket wear is required November 1 through April 30 on small boats and paddlecraft.
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.
- Apply for a Boating Safety Education Certificate and Course ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Pennsylvania Boating Handbook 2026 ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Boat Registration and Titling FAQs ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Register/Title Powered Boats ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Register/Title Unpowered Boats ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Personal Watercraft ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Boat-Towed Watersports ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Cold Weather Life Jacket ↗Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Last verified
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