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Jet ski / PWC operator age laws by state

People search “Jet ski / PWC operator age by state”, “Jet ski / PWC operator age laws by state”, and “PWC age map” when a road trip, boat, bike, or load is about to cross a line. This page is the 50-state index for jet ski / pwc operator age. Colors and quotes are written for someone in that state today, not for what that state demands of its own registered vehicles.

Open the PWC age difference map

How states differ

Minimum age to operate a personal watercraft, plus course or adult-onboard rules.

  • 16+ (course or adult rules still apply)
  • 14+ (course or adult onboard in most of these)
  • 12+ or no published statewide PWC floor

Searches this page is meant to answer

If you typed any of these — or a close variant with a state name — this is the Crosstatelaws topic that should show up:

  • Jet ski / PWC operator age by state
  • Jet ski / PWC operator age laws by state
  • PWC age laws by state
  • Jet ski / PWC operator age map
  • Jet ski / PWC operator age traveling across state lines
  • does jet ski / pwc operator age change by state
  • jet ski age requirement by state
  • how old to rent a jet ski
  • PWC operator age
  • Jet ski / PWC operator age in California / Texas / Florida / New York
  • is jet ski / pwc operator age legal while traveling

All 50 states

One-line traveler summary for each state. Open the map for the quoted rule and footnotes.

Alabama (AL)
Alabama: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 14. Course: Vessel Operator License required for motorized vessels. Supervision: ages 12–13: licensed operator 21+ onboard, in reach of the controls.
Alaska (AK)
Alaska: no statewide PWC minimum age in the USCG table. Course: no statewide mandate.
Arizona (AZ)
Arizona: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: none statewide. Supervision: under 12 may run over 8 hp only in an emergency or with an 18+ onboard.
Arkansas (AR)
Arkansas: minimum PWC operator age 12 (with course + adult). Solo: 14. Course: Boat Ed for youth operators. Supervision: ages 12–13: Boat Ed + 18+ onboard; under 12: Boat Ed + 21+ onboard/control.
California (CA)
California: minimum PWC operator age 12 (with 18+ onboard). Solo: 16. Course: California Vessel Operator Card required. Supervision: ages 12–15: 18+ onboard (motor ≥15 hp / PWC).
Colorado (CO)
Colorado: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 16. Course: required for ages 14–15. Supervision: ages 14–15: course (no extra adult in USCG 2.8).
Connecticut (CT)
Connecticut: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: PWC Operation / Safe Boating Certificate.
Delaware (DE)
Delaware: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 16. Course: boating class required. Supervision: ages 14–16: adult onboard + class; 16: class.
Florida (FL)
Florida: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: Florida Boating Safety ID if born after 1988-01-01 (powered ≥10 hp).
Georgia (GA)
Georgia: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: born after 1998-01-01: DNR course; ages 12–15 need the card.
Hawaii (HI)
Hawaii: minimum PWC operator age 15. Solo: 15. Course: thrill-craft / motorized over 10 hp education (DLNR).
Idaho (ID)
Idaho: no statewide PWC minimum age in the USCG table. Course: no statewide mandate.
Illinois (IL)
Illinois: no statewide PWC minimum age in the USCG table. Course: DNR Boating Safety Certificate for many operators by birth year (625 ILCS 45).
Indiana (IN)
Indiana: minimum PWC operator age 15. Solo: 15. Course: age 15: ID + education; 16+: valid driver license (motor >10 hp / PWC).
Iowa (IA)
Iowa: minimum PWC operator age 12 (under 12 only with an adult). Solo: 12. Course: education law applies to some operators. Supervision: under 12: adult onboard.
Kansas (KS)
Kansas: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: required under 16.
Kentucky (KY)
Kentucky: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: required under 17.
Louisiana (LA)
Louisiana: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: 16 + boating certification; no under-16 even with an adult. Supervision: none — hard 16 floor.
Maine (ME)
Maine: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: ages 16–17: approved course OR accompanied by 18+. Supervision: under 16 may not operate.
Maryland (MD)
Maryland: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: born after 1972-07-01.
Massachusetts (MA)
Massachusetts: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: PWC operators under 17.
Michigan (MI)
Michigan: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: born on/after 1996-07-01: boating safety certificate; PWC 14+.
Minnesota (MN)
Minnesota: minimum PWC operator age 13. Solo: 13. Course: under 17.
Mississippi (MS)
Mississippi: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: approved course; born after 1980-06-30 (boats). Supervision: under 12: 21+ onboard (boats).
Missouri (MO)
Missouri: minimum PWC operator age 14 (under 14 only with a 16+ onboard supervisor). Solo: 14. Course: born after 1984-01-01 on lakes: MSHP card + photo ID. Supervision: under 14: parent/guardian/other 16+ direct onboard.
Montana (MT)
Montana: minimum PWC operator age 12 (0–12 only with an adult on PWC over 10 hp). Solo: 15. Course: ages 13–14: certificate OR adult. Supervision: 0–12 adult; 13–14 cert or adult; 15+ none.
Nebraska (NE)
Nebraska: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: yes.
Nevada (NV)
Nevada: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: born on/after 1983-01-01 for motor over 15 hp on interstate waters.
New Hampshire (NH)
New Hampshire: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: yes. Supervision: ski craft: 16 min; other PWC: adult until 16.
New Jersey (NJ)
New Jersey: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: boating safety certificate required.
New Mexico (NM)
New Mexico: minimum PWC operator age 13. Solo: 13. Course: education law applies to some operators.
New York (NY)
New York: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: boating safety certificate required.
North Carolina (NC)
North Carolina: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: ages 14–15: adult 18+ OR NASBLA certificate + ID. Supervision: under 14 may not operate.
North Dakota (ND)
North Dakota: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: ages 12–15 must be state-certified to operate over 10 hp without an adult. Supervision: ages 12–15 uncertified: adult onboard.
Ohio (OH)
Ohio: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: born after 1982-01-01.
Oklahoma (OK)
Oklahoma: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12–15 only with a course + visual supervision. Course: NASBLA course for ages 12–15. Supervision: ages 12–15: competent 18+ visual supervision within 500 yards.
Oregon (OR)
Oregon: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: yes.
Pennsylvania (PA)
Pennsylvania: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: born on/after 1982-01-01 for motors over 25 hp.
Rhode Island (RI)
Rhode Island: USCG Table 2.8 lists no statewide PWC minimum age. Course: education law applies to some operators.
South Carolina (SC)
South Carolina: minimum PWC operator age none in USCG Table 2.8. Course: under 16: approved course before unsupervised PWC or motor ≥15 hp. Supervision: under 16 unsupervised banned without a course.
South Dakota (SD)
South Dakota: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: no statewide mandate. Supervision: under 14: 18+ onboard.
Tennessee (TN)
Tennessee: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: resident born after 1989-01-01: TWRA card.
Texas (TX)
Texas: minimum PWC operator age 13. Solo: 13. Course: born on/after 1993-09-01: TPWD course. Supervision: under 13: only if an 18+ who can lawfully operate is onboard.
Utah (UT)
Utah: minimum PWC operator age 16 (18 without the PWC course). Solo: 18 unless the PWC course is completed (then 16). Course: PWC education drops the solo age from 18 to 16.
Vermont (VT)
Vermont: minimum PWC operator age 16. Solo: 16. Course: boating safety certificate required.
Virginia (VA)
Virginia: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: ages 14–15 must pass a NASBLA course; PWC 14+ and motorboat operators need a course (VA DWR).
Washington (WA)
Washington: minimum PWC operator age 14. Solo: 14. Course: resident born after 1955-01-01, motor ≥15 hp: Boater Education Card. Supervision: rental PWC: 16.
West Virginia (WV)
West Virginia: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 16. Course: born after 1986-12-31. Supervision: under 12: no motor over 10 hp; ages 12–15: adult onboard (includes PWC).
Wisconsin (WI)
Wisconsin: minimum PWC operator age 12. Solo: 12. Course: born on/after 1989-01-01.
Wyoming (WY)
Wyoming: minimum PWC operator age 16 to operate alone (under 16 only with an adult). Solo: 16. Course: no statewide mandate. Supervision: under 16: adult onboard.

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Not legal advice. Confirm statutes before you travel. Disclaimer.