Boating Education

Any person under the age of 21 who wishes to operate a vessel designed to be propelled by a motor or sail (motorboat, PWC, sailboat, sailboard) without being under direct and audible supervision* must complete an approved boater education course.

• No one under the age of 12 may operate a motorized vessel without direct and audible supervision regardless of boater education certification.

• There is no minimum age to operate a sailboat if the operator has successfully passed an approved boating education course.)

• You can meet Kansas' Boater Education requirement by taking and passing an approved boating education course (classroom, online, or internet assisted home study.)

*Direct and audible supervision is defined as a person on board the same vessel and in sufficiently close proximity of the operator's station to enable such person to quickly and safely assume control of such vessel if needed. The supervising adult must be at least 18 years of age and either have completed a boater education course or be exempt because they are over the age of 21.

Requirements By Type of Vessel

Personal Watercraft and Motorboats

This includes any vessel powered by a motor, including a trolling motor. Anyone between the ages of 12 and 20 must complete an approved boater education course in order to operate these vessels without being under direct and audible supervision (see definition above). No person under the age of 12 may operate a motorized vessel without being under direct and audible supervision even if they have completed an approved boater education course.

Sailboats

Anyone 20 years of age and under must complete an approved boater education course in order to operate a sailboat without being under direct and audible supervision (see definition above). There is no minimum age to operate a sailboat if the person has completed an approved boater education course.

Kayak, Canoe & Other Paddlesports

Certification Options

There are three options to obtain your Kansas Boater Safety Education Certification: Homestudy Packet, Online, and Classroom.

Homestudy Packet

If you do not have access to the internet, you may request a Homestudy Packet by contacting Chelsea Hofmeier at Chelsea.hofmeier@ks.gov or 620-672-0770. If you are choosing this method of certification, please be aware that it takes about 1-2 weeks for your certification to be processed and issued. If you require certification sooner than 2 weeks from when you send in your completed homestudy packet, taking one of the online courses listed below might be a better option.

Online Courses

Online courses are offered because classes are not always available or students may not be able to attend specific dates and times. The online options is not meant to be easy or quick, the intent is to be convenient. Students may study at home at their own pace and complete the exam when they feel comfortable with the material. NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) standards require that all online courses are at least three hours in duration and each section must be completed. The pages are timed and bypassing material is not an option. The purpose of the course is to gain knowledge and become a safe boater while you earn you certification.

There are five approved online courses available to receive your Kansas Boater Education Certificate. Costs vary for each course, but the advantage is an immediate printable temporary card upon payment once you have passed the online exam. Many of these courses also offer durable plastic cards to serve as proof of your certification.

 Classroom

There are no in-person Boating Education class offerings at this time.

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Frequently Asked Questions