WA · State boating guide

Washington
boating laws

Last verified October 28, 2026

At a glance

Boater card: Required for specified operators; operators of boats with an engine of 15 horsepower or more, unless born before January 1, 1955
Operating age: No one under 12 may operate a boat with an engine of 15 hp or more unless accompanied and directly supervised by a card holder 16 or older. No one under 14 may operate a personal watercraft.
Life-jacket age rule: Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway on boats under 19 feet, unless in a fully enclosed area.
BUI / BAC limit: 0.08 BAC
Registration fee: $1.00–$10.50; Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
Registration term: 1 year

The short answer

Do I need a boating license in Washington?

Boater Education Card is required for operators of boats with an engine of 15 horsepower or more, unless born before January 1, 1955.

Confirm with Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission ↗

Washington requires a Boater Education Card to operate a boat with an engine of 15 horsepower or more, unless you were born before January 1, 1955. Most motorized boats must be registered every year with the Department of Licensing, and registrations expire June 30. Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket on boats under 19 feet while underway, and the legal limit is 0.08 BAC.

Before you operate

Boater education & operating age

Washington boater education requirements
Requirement	Details
Education required	Yes — see who needs a card below
Who needs a card	operators of boats with an engine of 15 horsepower or more, unless born before January 1, 1955
Card or certificate	Boater Education Card
Minimum operating age	No one under 12 may operate a boat with an engine of 15 hp or more unless accompanied and directly supervised by a card holder 16 or older. No one under 14 may operate a personal watercraft.
Out-of-state cards	Non-residents may operate in Washington for up to 60 consecutive days, and non-residents holding an equivalent boater education card from their home state or country are exempt. State Parks says to confirm that another state's card meets Washington requirements, and an out-of-state card can be exchanged for a Washington card for $10.

Find an officially approved course

Your boat’s paperwork

Boat registration & fees

Most boats used on Washington waters. Exempt: boats propelled only by hand (canoes, kayaks), boats under 16 feet with a motor of 10 hp or less used only on non-federal waters, tenders of 10 hp or less, and out-of-state boats for up to 60 days. Registration is annual and expires June 30.

Annual registration fee$10.50
Derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee$5.00
Derelict vessel removal surcharge$1.00

Registration fee data and sources

Washington registration fees · USD
Boat / fee category	Fee	Term	Source
Annual registration fee	$10.50	1 year	Official source: Annual registration fee ↗
Derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee	$5.00	1 year	Official source: Derelict vessel and invasive species removal fee ↗
Derelict vessel removal surcharge	$1.00	1 year	Official source: Derelict vessel removal surcharge ↗

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 personal watercraft must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
The lanyard of the engine cut-off switch must be attached to the operator, and the switch may not be disabled.
No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise.
No one under 14 may operate a PWC, and PWCs may not be rented to anyone under 16.
No reckless operation such as weaving through congested traffic or jumping the wake of another boat unreasonably close.

Towing & watersports

A person other than the operator must observe anyone being towed.
Display a red or orange flag at least 12 inches square when a skier is down.
Everyone being towed must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
No water skiing from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise.

Life jacket rules

Carry one USCG-approved life jacket for each person on board.
Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway on boats under 19 feet, unless in a fully enclosed area.
Everyone on a personal watercraft and anyone being towed must wear one.