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Alabama Boater Education Card (2026)

Conditional: Alabama requires a vessel operator's license to operate any motorized vessel; applicants pass an exam or show an approved boating-course certificate, and no one under 12 may operate.

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: alea.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Boater Education Card in states bordering Alabama

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

FloridaConditional
Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must have a Boating Safety Education Identification Card (plus photo ID) to legally operate a motorboat of 10 hp or more in Florida.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: myfwc.com · Full Florida rule →
GeorgiaConditional
Georgia requires all persons born on or after Jan 1, 1998 to complete a DNR-approved boat education course before operating any motorized vessel on state waters.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: georgiawildlife.com · Full Georgia rule →
MississippiConditional
Any person born after June 30, 1980 must complete an MDWFP-approved boater education course before operating a boat on Mississippi's public waterways.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: mdwfp.com · Full Mississippi rule →
TennesseeConditional
Any Tennessee resident born after Jan 1, 1989 must pass the TWRA Boating Safety exam and carry the Boating Safety Education Certificate.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: tn.gov · Full Tennessee rule →

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