How to Get a Boating License in Oregon

Operators of motorboats or personal watercraft with more than 10 horsepower in Oregon are required to obtain a Boater Education Card. Individuals should first determine whether they fall into this requirement category based on their vessel type and engine specifications.

Those who need the card should complete an approved boater-education course. Oregon accepts courses that meet NASBLA (North American Safe Boating Administrators Association) standards. Upon completion of the course, operators must pass the corresponding test to earn their card.

Once obtained, the Boater Education Card should be carried at all times while operating a covered vessel. For the most current list of approved courses and to confirm all applicable regulations, operators should consult the Oregon State Marine Board's official website or contact the agency directly.

1. Confirm whether you're in the population this state covers (cutoff / age band).
2. Take the accepted course: Oregon Boater Education Card.
3. Pass the test and receive your card or certificate.
4. Carry it aboard whenever you operate, and confirm the current rule on the official state page.

Carry the card every time you operate

Once you’ve earned the card, keep it aboard whenever you operate — many states require you to show it on request, and a card from one state is usually honored in another. If you’ll boat across state lines, check each state’s rule, since the covered ages and accepted credentials differ. Always confirm the current requirement on the official state agency page.

Course & fees for Oregon → · Full requirements →

Compiled from the official state source, cross-referenced against NASBLA, and verified June 2026. Always confirm the current rule on the official Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) page before you rely on it — boating law changes and some states are mid-rollout. How we compile this. Informational only, not legal advice.