A Nevada Boater Education Card, more commonly known as a “boating license” is a card that proves that you have taken an approved Boating Safety Course. In Nevada, a boating license is required to be carried by all motorized boat operators with an engine of 15 horsepower or greater, who were born after Dec. 31, 1982. However, it’s a good idea for ALL boaters and paddlers to receive a Boating Safety Education to keep Nevada’s waters safe for everyone enjoying them.

Get your Nevada Boating License today by signing up for the online BOATsmart! Course. Register for the BOATsmart! Nevada Course, pass the test and you’ll be enjoying Nevada’s waterways in just a few hours.

In Nevada, all boats (motorized or human-powered) are required to carry one, Coast Guard Approved, wearable life jacket or PFD for each passenger on board the boat and being towed by the boat.

Additionally, boats greater than 16 feet in length are also required to carry one, Coast Guard Approved, Type IV (throwable) device on board the boat at all times.

Adult boaters are not required to wear life jackets when boating. However, our suggestion is to always WEAR IT!

In the state of Nevada, children 13 years of age and under are required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket when underway on any boat, unless the the child is in a fully enclosed area, such as a cabin.

Parents, always make sure your child’s life jacket is properly secured and in good condition. It’s the law for kids to WEAR IT!

It’s illegal in Nevada to operate any boat (including any type of paddle craft) while under the influence of an intoxicating substance, such as drugs and/or alcohol.

A boat operator in Nevada will be considered to be under the influence if they have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher.

In Nevada, a person convicted of operating a boat while under the influence will face up to a $1,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail, as well as face court costs and testing fees.

If you’ve been involved in a boat accident in Nevada, you’ll be required to submit a written Boat Accident Report Form to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Submit a report if any of the following occur: A boat passenger is unconscious, killed, injured and required medical treatment beyond first aid, or disabled in excess of 24 hours, or if there is property damage in excess of $2,000. Reports in death and injury cases must be submitted within 48 hours. All other accidents may be reported within 10 days of the occurence.

You can obtain an official Nevada Boat Accident Report Form through the Nevada Department of Wildlife website at https://www.ndow.org/.

The BOATsmart! Nevada Boating License Course has been approved by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. For more information, you can contact the Department at at:

Nevada Department of Wildlife
1100 Valley Road
Reno, NV 89512
(775) 688-1500
https://www.ndow.org