Mandatory Boater Education Law FAQs

Missouri expands boater safety education requirements to all waters of the state effective January 1, 2027

On August 28, 2026, RSMo. 306.127 will be amended to require anyone born after January 1, 1984, and before January 1, 2006, who operates a motorized boat or sailboat over 12’ on the lakes of this state must carry a NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) approved boater safety card or have a boater safety endorsement on their driver’s license and must have that license on the boat.

Effective January 1, 2027, anyone born on or after January 1, 2006, who operates a motorized boat or sailboat over 12’ on the waters of this state must carry a NASBLA approved boater safety card on the boat or have a boater safety endorsement on their driver’s license and must have that license on the boat.

The Water Patrol Division charges a $15.00 fee for the boater safety card, but there is no fee to take a classroom course conducted by a marine trooper. The Water Patrol Division has also contracted Boat-Ed to provide an approved online boating safety course. Additional fees are assessed by Boat-Ed for those who choose to take the online course.

How do I obtain a Missouri boater safety card?

You need to take a NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) approved course. This includes courses provided by marine troopers of the Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron and Boat-Ed's online course for Missouri. For additional information on boater safety courses, click on the link below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP02Web/app/safetyEdClasses

The trooper taught classes usually occur between October-May. The online course can be accessed from the above link as well. If you need any assistance in locating an approved course, please contact us Monday-Friday, 7:30 am-4:30 pm at 573-751-5071.

Who can take the Missouri boater education courses?

Any person may take one of the Missouri boater education courses. There is no age limit on who can take the course; however, that person should be able to follow the course material and understand the content. Missouri law states the operator of a boat must be 14 years of age unless accompanied by an adult on board the vessel. A child under 14 years of age operating a motorized boat on the lakes of the state and the waters of this state with adult supervision would still need a boater safety card.

How do I order a card by mail?

A boater certification card may be ordered by mail with a check or money order. Please click on the link below to order a card by mail.

http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/WaterPatrol/BoatingLaws_Education/educationCardForm.html

How do I order a card online and use it immediately?

A boater safety card may be ordered online by clicking on the link below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP02Web/app/orderCard
Once ordered, a temporary permit will be generated and sent to your email for you to print off or keep accessible on your phone while operating the boat. The physical card will be mailed in 1-2 weeks.

Does Missouri have a temporary boater safety card?

Yes- a once in your life, seven (7) consecutive day, temporary safety card is available online at: https://www.boat-ed.com/missourirental Wait until you plan to use the card, as the seven days starts when you order the card.

Do I need a boater safety card to operate a PWC (personal watercraft)?

Yes.

If I lose my boater identification card, how do I obtain a new card?

You may obtain a new card by clicking on the link below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP02Web/app/orderCard

The cost for a new card is $15 and we accept credit card payment. If you are not listed in the system, you will need to contact the Water Patrol Division Monday-Friday, 7:30 am-4:30 pm at 573-751-5071, or by emailing Boateducation@mshp.dps.mo.gov.

If I am an out of state resident, how do I comply with Missouri's mandatory boater education law?

Missouri's mandatory boater education law applies to out-of-state boaters operating a motorized boat or sailboats over 12’ on our lakes and waters of the state. Out-of-state boaters may obtain a Missouri boater safety card by taking one of the courses approved in Missouri, or by possessing a NASBLA approved boater safety card provided by their home state. Missouri recognizes NASBLA approved boater certification cards from their home states and must have it on board the vessel. If you want a Missouri boater safety card, email us a picture of your NASBLA approved boater safety card from your home state (front & back) to Boateducation@mshp.dps.mo.gov

How do I change my name on my boater safety card?

Take a picture of your driver’s license with your current name and email it to: Boateducation@mshp.dps.mo.gov. Reference your name listed on the boater safety card and we will change it in the system for you to order a new card.

What are ‘waters of this state’?

As defined in RSMo. 306.010, "Waters of this state", any waters within the territorial limits of this state and lakes constructed or maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers except bodies of water owned by a person, corporation, association, partnership, municipality or other political subdivision, public water supply impoundments, and except drainage ditches constructed by a drainage district, but the term does include any body of water which has been leased to or owned by the state department of conservation.

Can I request additional in-person boater safety classes in my area?
Yes. If you’d like to organize a large group of community members, friends, neighbors, groups, and/or organizations, please call your local marine operations supervisor to see if it’s feasible during the non- peak boating seasons October through May. Your local troop can be found here:

https://apps.mshp.dps.mo.gov/MSHPWeb/DevelopersPages/TroopHeadquarters/troopIndex.html

How long do the boater safety courses usually take to complete?

Our in-person courses usually take 6-8 hours to complete with breaks. The interactive on-line courses do not have set timers and can be completed more quickly. The traditional on-line course has timed videos.

Who should I contact if I do not receive my boater safety card in the mail after taking the online course?

When you purchase the class online, the cost of the boater safety card is included in the price. If you do not receive your physical card in the mail after successfully passing the course, please contact Kalkomey (844) 525-5603. Please keep in mind that due to the volume of cards they print, it can take about a month to receive your physical card.

When I click on the Temporary Boater Safety link, the website takes me to the full course. How do I get to the temporary?

If this happens, we recommend calling Kalkomey (844) 525-5603.

What should I do if my name doesn't come up when I search on the card ordering screen via the Water Patrol Division website?

If you have recently taken an in-person class, please make sure you are using slashes in between your date of birth (Ex: 00/00/0000). If your name still does not show up, please call the Water Patrol Division at (573) 751-5071. If you completed an in-person class before 2001, it is possible your name has not been transferred over from our old database. Please contact the Water Patrol Division at (573) 751-5071 or via email: Boateducation@mshp.dps.mo.gov.

When should I expect my boater safety card in the mail?

If you are ordering off the Water Patrol Division online system, physical cards typically arrive in the mail in 1-2 weeks. If you do not receive your card after 3 weeks, please contact the Water Patrol Division at (573) 751-5071.

If you are ordering a boater certification card through the mail, physical cards can take up to 30 days to arrive in the mail. If you do not receive your card in the mail after 30 days, please contact the Water Patrol Division at (573) 751-5071.

I took the online boater safety class, why are you not able to see my record immediately?

Since online classes are through a third-party vendor, those records are not transferred to us until a week after the class have been successfully completed. If there is an issue with your test record (Ex: Name spelled incorrectly, date of birth is incorrect, or address is incorrect) you will need to contact Kalkomey (844) 525-5603. If you carry your temporary card, you are all set to boat. We are just unable to make changes to your record until we receive it.

I am unable to find my name when I use ilostmycard.com. What should I do?

If you have taken an in-person class, your name will not come up via ilostmycard.com since that is only for the online testing record. Please order your card via the Water Patrol Division website: https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP02Web/app/orderCard

I need a copy of my boater safety card; can you email me a copy?

We are unable to email you a copy of your boater certification card. Our system will not generate a copy of the card until an order has been placed. If you are needing a copy of your card immediately, you can order online via this website: https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/WP02Web/app/orderCard . After the order is placed, you will receive a temporary card immediately and then a physical card in the mail in 1-2 weeks.

How do I add my boater safety card as an endorsement on my Missouri driver’s license?

If you have a Missouri boater safety card, you will need to bring the card to the Missouri Department of Revenue fee office when requesting to add it to your Missouri driver’s license.

If you have a NASBLA approved boater certification that is not from Missouri, you will need to email a copy of your certification to Boateducation@mshp.dps.mo.gov , Once the certification has been received, we will add you to our system. You will then need to purchase a Missouri boater safety card to bring with you to the fee office.