For more information on the boating laws in the state of West Virginia visit: www.wvdnr.gov

Mandatory Education and Age Requirements:

• All persons born after December 31, 1986 must complete a boating education course before operating a motorboat or personal watercraft in West Virginia. These operators shall show the certificate on demand of any West Virginia Conservation Officer or other law enforcement officer authorized to enforce West Virginia boating laws.
• The certificate must have been obtained by satisfactorily completing a course of instruction in boating safety education approved by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources or by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). The BoatU.S. Boating Safety Certificate is recognized by West Virginia, NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard.
• West Virginia also has a minimum age requirement for operating motor-powered vessels. No one under 15 years of age may operate a watercraft in West Virginia except those children aged 12 to 15 that are operating under the direct supervision of an adult. If a child aged 12-15 is operating a boat with a motor of less than 10 horsepower (hp), then direct adult supervision is not required. No one under that age of 12 may operate a watercraft.
• Children aged 12 to 15 may operate personal watercraft, only if under the direct supervision of an adult. Youth 16 and older may operate a PWC without supervision, provided they have met the education requirements above. A person must be 18 years of age or older to rent a PWC.

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.