California Boater Card Requirement to Expand in New Year

California’s boating education law went into effect January 1, 2018 for all persons 20 years of age and younger. For 2019, boaters 25 years old and younger will be required to have the California Boater Card and next year, the age limit will go up to 35 years old.

A plethora of boating incidents and concerns about poor operating ability caused lawmakers to pass State Bill 941and create the California Boater Card.

The California Boater Card is proof that a boater has successfully completed an approved boating safety course and allows him or her to go boating on state waterways. It is often mistakenly called the California boating license, but because a California Boater Card does not expire and does not need to be renewed, it is not license.

By 2025 all California boaters will be required to have a California boater card. Boat operators cited without a boater card may receive a fine of up to $100 for the first conviction, $250 for the second and $500 for the third. Boat renters will not be required to have the card.