Page 4 - Experience Oregon Boating Handbook

M IN IM U M R EG U LATORY R EQU IR E M E NTS

Mandatory Boater Education • The card is good for life (no renewal
Boating safety education is a proven way of reducing accidents, injuries and necessary). One-time $10 application fee
confl icts on Oregon’s waterways. (not included in class, internet or test fees).

In 1999, the Oregon Legislature directed the Marine Board to implement • If the card is lost or stolen there is an
a Mandatory Boater Education Program. This program requires all Oregon $8 replacement fee. Please contact the
residents operating powerboats greater than 10 horsepower (hp), and youths 12- Marine Board at 503.378.8587 to apply for a
15 years old who operate any type of powerboat, to take a course on basic boating replacement.
safety and pass a test to demonstrate basic boating knowledge. Upon passing a
test, the boater needs to apply for a permanent boater’s education card and must • If you have already taken a course
carry the card when operating a powerboat. approved by the National Association
of State Boating Law Administraters
Many course options are available (classroom, approved internet courses and (NASBLA), you have met the Oregon
equivalency exams). The cost ranges from free to $29.95. For a requirement and may apply for your
list of courses or exam options near you, or for links to approved permanent Oregon boater education card.
internet courses, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/BoatEd/
Pages/index.aspx

Below are detailed requirements:

You must be 12 years of age to
operate a motorboat in Oregon

Youth 12 – 15 years of age need to carry a boater education card:

• to operate a boat of 10 hp or less without a card-holding adult on board.
• to operate a boat greater than 10 hp AND need to be in direct supervision by a

person 16 years old or older, who also carries a boater education card.

• to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) AND be accompanied by a card-holding
adult 18 years old or older, who can take control of the boat if neccessary.

EXEMPTIONS

LEVEL 1: A boater who:

• has an expired U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operators License, or;
• has attained the status of U.S. Coast Guard Crewman or Coxswain equivalent
-does not need to take a boating safety course or equivalency exam, but is required to carry a boaters education card
when operating a boat recreationally. To get a boater education card, the boater needs to provide a copy of his/her
credentials, along with a completed boater education card application and the one-time $10 fee to the Marine Board.

LEVEL 2: A Boater Education Card is not required if a person is:

• an out-of-state visitor. If boating in Oregon for less than 60 consecutive days or if they hold a boater education
card from another state.

• a boater with a current U.S. Coast Guard Boat Operators License.
• a new boat buyer. The registered owner of a new powerboat may use the temporary certificate of number as a

temporary education card for 60 days from the date of issue.
• a boat renter. Renters are exempt from carrying the boater education card, but must complete a dockside safety
4 checklist from the livery and carry the signed portion while operating the rented powerboat.