Maine's rule is narrower than most and newer than all of them. Since 1 January 2024 it targets personal watercraft specifically: if you were born on or after 1 January 1999 you must be at least 16 and have completed the course before operating a PWC on Maine waters.
| Who needs it | anyone born on or after 1 January 1999, who must also be at least 16 |
| Applies to | personal watercraft (PWC) |
| What it is called | Boater Safety and Education Course certificate |
| Issued by | Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife |
| In force since | 1 January 2024 |
| Minimum age for a PWC | 16 |
| Extra rule for 16 and 17 year olds | Must carry proof of age as well as proof of course completion, unless accompanied by someone 18 or over physically aboard the PWC |
BoatTests101 runs a Maine-approved course you can take at your own pace and finish in an afternoon. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.
Start the Maine courseThe course requirement introduced in 2024 is written around personal watercraft. Maine sets separate rules for motorboats, so confirm with Inland Fisheries and Wildlife which applies to the boat you intend to operate.
Yes, if they have completed an approved boating safety course and carry proof of both their age and the course. Under 16 they may not operate a PWC unless accompanied by an adult of 18 or over aboard.
1 January 2024, making it the most recent of the state rules covered on this site.
A licence makes you legal to operate. It tells you nothing about the boat itself. Run the hull number free — it decodes the builder and model year, and flags any US Coast Guard recall campaign on record for that manufacturer.