---
title: Age restrictions for boaters in North Carolina
description: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, must hold a North Carolina Boater Safety Education Certificate.
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![Age restrictions for boaters in North Carolina](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa2024/images/images-transparentes/age-restrictions-hr.png?width=1100&height=696&name=age-restrictions-hr.png)

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, must hold a North Carolina Boater Safety Education Certificate to legally use a boat propelled by a motor of 10 horsepower or more on North Carolina waters.

It is illegal for anyone younger than aged 14 to operate a PWC in North Carolina.  

A person at least 14 years of age but less than 16 years of age may operate a PWC in North Carolina provided that they have successfully completed a boater safety education course and carry on board proof of age and a North Carolina Boater Safety Education Certificate, or they are accompanied by someone at least 18 years old and who meets the education requirements. 

It is unlawful to knowingly permit anyone younger than 16 to operate a PWC unless they have first completed an approved boating safety course.

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