Mandatory Boater Education Passes In Minnesota

Minnesota governor Tim Walz recently signed legislation that will require nearly all boaters in Minnesota to complete a boater education course and obtain a boater-education card before operating a motorized watercraft.

The law emerged as part of a collaboration between the recreational boating industry, boating safety advocates and lawmakers. The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the Water Sports Industry Association and local Minnesota stakeholders all participated in drafting the law.

“In a state with more than 800,000 registered boats and a strong on-the-water heritage, mandatory boater education is a logical step in ensuring the safety of the boating public while creating an overall safer boating community,” Matt Gruhn, MRAA president, said in a statement. “It was crucial for the future of recreational boating and fishing in Minnesota to get this across the finish line. We will now work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in overseeing the rollout of the program to ensure it is not overly burdensome for dealers.”

Mandatory boater education in Minnesota will use a phased-in approach. By 2028 it will require anyone born on or after July 1, 1987, to pass a course and receive a boater education certificate. The program will go into effect on July 1, 2025, requiring anyone born on or after July 2004 to take the course. The program must be approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators so out-of-state boaters who pass an NASBLA-approved course can legally operate a boat in Minnesota.