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Tennessee and New Hampshire Boating License Requirements

Tennessee and New Hampshire Boating License Requirements

Posted by Safe Boating America on 6th Nov 2026

Tennessee and New Hampshire Boating License Requirements

Boater checking a certificate beside a motorboat

Neither Tennessee nor New Hampshire issues a traditional boating license. Both require a boater education certificate, and each sets its own trigger. In Tennessee, you need one if you were born after January 1, 1989, and operate a boat with more than 8.5 horsepower. In New Hampshire, you need one if you are 16 or older and operate a motorboat over 25 horsepower. This guide covers who is affected, how to get the card, what it costs, and who is exempt.

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TL;DR

  • Tennessee: residents born after January 1, 1989 need the TWRA Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a vessel over 8.5 hp.
  • New Hampshire: anyone 16 or older operating a motorboat over 25 hp needs a boating education certificate.
  • Passing score: New Hampshire requires at least 80%. Tennessee’s exam requires 48 of 60 correct, which is also 80%.
  • Validity: the New Hampshire certificate is valid for life. Tennessee’s card is a one-time credential as well.
  • Visitors: both states accept out-of-state credentials under conditions listed below.

Table of Contents

Do you need a boating license in Tennessee?

Tennessee calls it a certificate, not a license. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) states that any Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989 must show the TWRA-issued wallet Boating Safety Education Certificate. The card is proof that you passed the TWRA Boating Safety exam.

Do you need a boating license in Tennessee?

The rule has two conditions. Per the TWRA boating education page, the certification applies to residents born after January 1, 1989 who operate a vessel with more than 8.5 horsepower. People born on or before that date are not required to have boating education.

Quick reference: Tennessee

Question Answer
Who needs the certificate? Residents born after January 1, 1989
Which boats? Motorized vessels with more than 8.5 hp
Visitors from other states Born after January 1, 1989 and operating over 8.5 hp: need a NASBLA-approved certificate
Proof to carry TWRA wallet card, or a NASBLA-approved card or certificate
Exam 48 of 60 correct (80%)

The legal basis for the visitor rule is Tennessee Code §69-9-226, as cited on the TWRA page.

Age rules for young operators

The TWRA Boating Handbook (2025 edition) sets two age thresholds for motorized vessels over 8.5 hp:

  • Operators under 12 must have a supervisor on board who is at least 18 and able to take immediate control of the vessel.
  • Operators 12 or older who are alone must hold a Boating Safety Education Certificate issued by TWRA.

The same handbook states that anyone under 16 may not rent a personal watercraft. If your teenager wants to ride a Jet Ski, check both the age rule and the certificate rule before the trip. Our guide on the Tennessee boating card for boaters born after 1989 walks through the same cutoff in four steps.

Who is exempt in Tennessee

Per the TWRA boating page, the exemptions are:

  1. People renting non-motorized vessels.
  2. Tennessee residents who passed a monitored NASBLA exam and hold the TWRA wallet card.
  3. Out-of-state visitors with a NASBLA-approved boating safety certification.
  4. US Coast Guard operator-license holders.
  5. People born on or before January 1, 1989.

If you are not sure your out-of-state card qualifies, read what NASBLA approval means for your course before you launch.

How to get a boating certificate in Tennessee

The TWRA compares the process to getting a driver’s license. Per the TWRA education page, you get study materials, study, and then take an approved boating safety exam. The steps below follow the TWRA guidance.

  1. Study the material. Use an approved course or the TWRA handbook.
  2. Get an exam permit. A Type 600 Boating Safety Exam Permit is sold by businesses that sell hunting and fishing licenses. According to the Maury County library page, the permit costs $10 and is sold at places including Walmart and marinas.
  3. Pass the exam. You must answer 48 of 60 questions correctly, and nobody under 11 may take the exam, per the same county page.
  4. Receive your card. The TWRA mails the permanent certificate in about 2 to 3 weeks.

Online exams since July 2025

Historically, the exam required a proctor, often at a local library. The Chattanooga News Chronicle reported that a law effective July 1, 2025 allows the exam to be taken online by removing the in-person monitoring requirement. Check the TWRA page for the current exam procedure before you buy a permit.

Do not rely on the permit as proof

The TWRA states that an exam permit attached to your account does not count as proof of completion. The account must show the certification date. If it does not, you must carry a NASBLA-approved physical card or certificate while boating. Keep your card on the boat, not at home.

Lost your card?

You do not have to wait weeks to prove you qualify. See how to replace a boating license in one day with a NASBLA-approved course.

Do you need a boating license in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire also uses a certificate. The NH State Police Marine Patrol states that everyone 16 or older who operates a motorboat over 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters must hold a boating education certificate.

New Hampshire’s rule is based on horsepower and age, not birth year. This differs from Tennessee, where a cutoff birth date sets who is covered. In New Hampshire, a teenager who turns 16 becomes subject to the rule.

Quick reference: New Hampshire

Question Answer
Who needs the certificate? Anyone 16 or older
Which boats? Motorboats over 25 hp
Minimum course NASBLA-approved, with at least 8 hours of classroom instruction, or an equivalency exam
Passing score At least 80%
Validity Lifetime

The course, hours and score come from NH RSA 270-D:13, which also states that a certificate, once issued, is valid for the person’s lifetime.

Taking the course before age 16

Under the same statute, a person who completes an approved course or equivalency exam after turning 15 is issued the certificate upon turning 16. Younger teens can start early. Our overview of boating license age rules across the U.S. shows how common the 12 to 16 range is.

How to get a boating safety certificate in New Hampshire

The state offers three routes, per the NH State Police boating education page:

  • Online course: students 18 and older take the final exam online. Students under 18 take it in person with a state proctor.
  • Classroom course: the exam is given during the last hour of class.
  • Equivalency exam: available for people who already know the material.

Every final exam requires at least 80%. Re-tests are conducted in person by a state proctor and cost $10.

Temporary certificate

If you need to be on the water sooner, the NH boating education FAQ states that a 14-day temporary certificate can be obtained through an agent by passing a boating safety examination.

What it costs in New Hampshire

The state’s 2024 to 2026 contract with its course provider sets the classroom exam fee at $41.50 and the online fee at $57.90. Initial cards are issued at no cost, and replacement cards cost $12.00. Fees can change when the contract is renewed, so confirm the current amount with the state before you enroll.

New Hampshire boating course and card fees

Proof you can show

Under Saf-C 6100, acceptable evidence includes a certificate of completion from the division or another approved provider. A card or document from a proctor or instructor stating that you passed the equivalency exam with 80% or better also counts.

Which out-of-state credentials New Hampshire accepts

The NH State Police page lists these as accepted:

  • A boating education certificate from another state agency, if NASBLA-approved.
  • A certificate from the US Power Squadron.
  • A certificate from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.
  • An unexpired commercial boating license from the US Coast Guard.
  • An unexpired commercial boating license from the State of New Hampshire.

Before you cross state lines, use our guide to verifying NASBLA reciprocity.

Tennessee vs. New Hampshire at a glance

Item Tennessee New Hampshire
Trigger Born after January 1, 1989 Age 16 or older
Horsepower More than 8.5 hp More than 25 hp
Agency TWRA NH State Police Marine Patrol and Department of Safety
Passing score 80% (48 of 60) At least 80%
Temporary proof Carry a NASBLA-approved card if your account lacks the certification date 14-day temporary certificate through an agent
Duration One-time card Lifetime

The two states set their thresholds differently. A boat that needs no certificate in New Hampshire, such as a 20 hp outboard, can require one in Tennessee. Always check the state where you will be on the water.

The TWRA notes that completing the course lets you boat on other states’ waters that require education. It also says you may save on boat insurance with a certificate, even when you are not required to have one. If you travel between lakes in several states, a NASBLA-approved credential keeps you covered in more places.

Do you need a boating license anywhere in the U.S.?

There is no single federal recreational boating license. Requirements are set state by state. Some states require a one-time safety course or certification rather than an ongoing license, and others have no mandatory education requirement. Federal jurisdiction applies on some waters, so state and federal rules can differ. Always check the rules of the state where you launch, not the state where you live.

Our perspective

Most boaters we meet do not struggle with the rules. They struggle with timing. They book a lake weekend, then find out their card is weeks away or their out-of-state credential is not accepted.

We build our courses around that problem. Our instructors are State Certified Instructors and USCG-Licensed Captains, and our courses use NASBLA-approved material. Our formula is designed to get you certified in a format that fits your schedule: online, live on Zoom, or in person.

Our advice is simple. Take an approved course before the season starts, keep your card on the boat, and check the horsepower rule for each state you plan to boat in. A certificate you earn once will serve you at every ramp.

Richard

Get certified online

If you need a Tennessee card, our Tennessee boating and PWC certification course online is built for boaters and Jet Ski riders. For other states, including New Hampshire, our online boating safety courses for every state let you study at your own pace.

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Prefer a live class? Our Zoom Online 1-Day Class is $75. We also offer private classes, on-water training and Captains License training. Boating courses also make a practical gift: gift certificates are available at $75 to $85.

Practical checklist before you launch

  1. Confirm which state’s waters you will use and read its horsepower and age rules.
  2. Check your birth date against Tennessee’s January 1, 1989 cutoff, or your age against New Hampshire’s 16-year rule.
  3. Complete a NASBLA-approved course and pass the exam at 80% or better.
  4. Carry the physical card or certificate on the boat.
  5. If you rent a PWC in Tennessee, confirm that the renter is at least 16.
  6. Keep a replacement plan ready in case the card is lost.

FAQ

Do I need a boating license in Tennessee?

You need a Boating Safety Education Certificate if you are a Tennessee resident born after January 1, 1989 and operate a vessel with more than 8.5 horsepower. People born on or before that date are not required to have boating education. Visitors in the same age group need a NASBLA-approved certificate.

How do I get a boating license in Tennessee?

Study the material, buy a $10 Type 600 exam permit, and pass the exam with 48 of 60 correct. The TWRA mails your permanent card in about 2 to 3 weeks. Since July 2025, the exam can be taken online, but confirm the current procedure on the TWRA page.

What are the boating license requirements in New Hampshire?

Anyone 16 or older who operates a motorboat over 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters needs a boating education certificate. You earn it by passing a NASBLA-approved course or an equivalency exam with at least 80%. The certificate is valid for life.

Does New Hampshire accept my out-of-state boating card?

New Hampshire accepts certificates from another state agency if NASBLA-approved, along with US Power Squadron and US Coast Guard Auxiliary certificates. Unexpired commercial licenses from the Coast Guard or New Hampshire also qualify. Carry the card with you on the water.

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