← New Mexico boating laws›Boater Education Card
New Mexico Boater Education Card (2026)
Conditional: New Mexico requires a boater education card for anyone born on or after Jan 1, 1989 who operates a motor-powered vessel or a sailboat.
Official source: emnrd.nm.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Boater Education Card in states bordering New Mexico
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- ArizonaInfo
Arizona has no statewide boater-education card requirement to operate; AZGFD courses are voluntary except when ordered by a court after a boating conviction.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: azgfd.com · Full Arizona rule →
- ColoradoConditional
In Colorado a motorboat operator must be 18+, and 14-17-year-olds must complete a state-approved boating safety course to operate a motorized vessel.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: cpw.state.co.us · Full Colorado rule →
- OklahomaConditional
Oklahoma requires anyone 12-15 operating a boat over 10 hp, a sailboat 16 ft or greater, or a PWC to complete a boating safety education class; not required for adults.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: oklahoma.gov · Full Oklahoma rule →
- TexasConditional
Texas requires anyone born on or after Sept 1, 1993 to pass a boater education course to operate a motorboat over 15 hp or a windblown vessel over 14 ft.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: tpwd.texas.gov · Full Texas rule →
- UtahConditional
Utah requires a mandatory boating safety course only for youth ages 12-17 to operate a personal watercraft; no general adult motorboat education requirement.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: recreation.utah.gov · Full Utah rule →
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