Kentucky Boating Education Law

For more information on the boating laws in the state of Kentucky visit: www.fw.ky.gov

Mandatory Education and Age Requirements:

Kentucky has the following requirements for the operation of motorized vessels:

Boaters less than 12 years of age may not legally operate any motorized vessel or personal watercraft over 10 horsepower (hp).
Boaters aged 12 to 17 may operate motorized vessels, including personal watercraft, provided they have completed a safety course approved by the KDFWR and carry with them their certificate of successful completion, -OR- they are accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older or another boater who possesses a boater education card.
There are no vessel education requirements for boaters 18 years of age or older.

Only classroom based, proctored boating safety courses approved by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources will be accepted for Kentucky's education requirements. The BoatU.S. online course does not satisfy this requirement

We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees.