Minnesota Passes Boater Education Law

Minnesota boaters will soon be required to complete a boater education course before operating a motorized watercraft. On May 24, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a new law that’s designed to keep boaters safe in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The legislation is the result of collaborative efforts between the recreational boating industry, boating safety advocates and lawmakers, including the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA) and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

“In a state with more than 800,000 registered boats and a strong on-the-water heritage, mandatory boater education is a logical step in ensuring the safety of the boating public while creating an overall safer boating community,” says Matt Gruhn, MRAA president.

Mandatory boater education in Minnesota will use a phased-in approach, and by 2028 will require anyone born on or after July 1, 1987, to pass a course and receive a boater education certificate in order to operate a boat. The program will go into effect beginning on July 1, 2025, requiring anyone born on or after July 1, 2004, to take the course. The program must be approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), meaning out-of-state boaters who have passed a NASBLA-approved course can legally operate a boat in Minnesota. The Minnesota course, available online and in-person, will be offered by a variety of providers.

For more information, visit mraa.com/mn-mandatory-boater-education.