What? You need a license or permit for recreational boating? The answer is YES….and no.

If you live in a state that does not (yet) require a permit or license to operate a recreational vessel, you don’t need to have such a document UNLESS you intend to operate your boat in or through a state that DOES require such permits or licenses.

BUT…..How can you get a license or permit if your state does not have such a requirement and does not have a program where you can qualify for and receive a license? Enter the US Power Squadron, now known as “America’s Boating Club.”

If you’re from a state where licensing is not required but go boating in a state that does require it, you can be cited without any permit or license, but if you have taken the US Power Squadron’s “America’s Boating Course” (aka the “ABC” course), you will be issued a certificate of successful completion (providing you passed the test) and it will be honored as a license or operators permit in the states that require it.

Here’s the URL for the US Power Squadron (now known as America’s Boating Club) and from there, you can find a local squadron near you, where you can join and/or enroll in the ABC course: https://www.usps.org/

Here's the video: