Oregon does not issue a traditional boating license, but if you operate a motorboat with more than 10 horsepower on Oregon waters, you need an Oregon Boating Education Card. The card costs $20, is good for life, and is issued by the Oregon State Marine Board after you complete an approved course and pass the exam.1Oregon State Marine Board. Boating Education Cards
Who Needs the Card
The trigger is engine power, not boat size. Anything above 10 horsepower requires the operator to carry a card. At 10 horsepower or below, no card is required. The card belongs to the person at the helm, so every operator on a trip needs their own if they plan to drive.1Oregon State Marine Board. Boating Education Cards
Non-motorized craft are outside the rule entirely. Kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, drift boats, and sailboats do not require a card, though the Marine Board recommends safety education for paddlers.1Oregon State Marine Board. Boating Education Cards
Age Rules for Operators
Children under 12 cannot legally operate any powerboat in Oregon, no matter the horsepower and no matter who is on board.
Operators between 12 and 15 fall into two tiers. With a Boating Education Card, they can run a motorboat of 10 horsepower or less on their own. For anything above 10 horsepower, they still need the card and must have a parent, guardian, or other responsible person at least 16 years old on board supervising directly, and that supervisor must also hold a valid card. For a personal watercraft, the supervising adult has to be at least 18.2Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code ORS 830.088 – Operation of Motorboat by Person 12 to 15 Years of Age
At 16, you can operate any motorboat or personal watercraft on your own with a valid card.
How to Get Your Card
Three steps: take an approved course, pass the exam, apply for the card.
Approved Courses
The Marine Board approves several formats. Online courses run roughly $30 to $60 depending on the provider and let you work at your own pace. Classroom courses are offered periodically around the state, a virtual classroom option is available, and some county sheriff’s offices administer equivalency exams for experienced boaters who want to skip the coursework.1Oregon State Marine Board. Boating Education Cards Every approved course covers navigation rules, safety procedures, and Oregon-specific boating law.
The Exam and a Temporary Card
You finish with a proctored final exam. Most online providers let you print a certificate of completion as soon as you pass, and that certificate works as a temporary boating education card for 30 days.3Oregon State Marine Board. Internet Courses You can be on the water the same day.
The Permanent Card
Apply through the Marine Board’s online store, or mail in a printed application with a check or money order. The fee is $20.1Oregon State Marine Board. Boating Education Cards The card does not expire and there is no renewal.4Oregon Secretary of State. Business Xpress License Directory – Boater Education Card
Who Doesn’t Need a Card
Oregon statute lists several exemptions from the card requirement:5Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code ORS 830.092 – Exemption From Requirement to Obtain Boating Safety Education Card
- Out-of-state visitors whose home state issues a boating safety card from a course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. You have to carry that card with you while operating in Oregon.
- Boat renters at least 16 years old who complete the dockside safety checklist the rental company provides before heading out.
- Holders of a valid U.S. Coast Guard commercial motorboat operator’s license.
- Holders of a current Oregon commercial fishing license under ORS 508.235.
Exemptions don’t override the age rules. A 14-year-old renting a boat still can’t operate it without a card and an eligible supervising adult on board.
Penalty for Operating Without a Card
Running a motorboat over 10 horsepower without a valid card is a Class D violation under Oregon law, with a presumptive fine attached.6Oregon Public Law. Oregon Code ORS 830.990 – Penalties It is a boating infraction rather than a criminal offense. Expect a marine patrol officer who stops you without a card to end your day on the water as well.
Carrying and Replacing the Card
You must have the card on board whenever you’re operating a qualifying motorboat and show it to any peace officer who asks.4Oregon Secretary of State. Business Xpress License Directory – Boater Education Card Leaving it at home counts the same as not having one. Treat it like a driver’s license.
If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, order a replacement through the Marine Board’s online store or by mail. The replacement fee is $16.7Oregon State Marine Board. Education Card Replacement Form Ordering online lets you print a temporary card right away so you aren’t grounded waiting for the mail.1Oregon State Marine Board. Boating Education Cards
The Boat Itself Still Needs Registration
The education card covers you as an operator. It does not cover the vessel. All motorboats in Oregon must be titled and registered with the Oregon State Marine Board regardless of length, and sailboats 12 feet and longer must be titled and registered as well.8Oregon State Marine Board. Title Registration Home Registration is a separate process from the card and runs on its own two-year cycle.9Oregon State Marine Board. Agency Fees