---
title: Do I need a license to buy a boat in California?
description: No, but you will need a California Boater Card if you want to operate a motorized vessel on California waterways.
image: https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/courses/usa/boating-license-california-us.jpg
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![Do I need a license to buy a boat in California?](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/usa/boating-license-california-us.jpg?width=470&height=296&name=boating-license-california-us.jpg)

No, but you will need a California Boater Card if you want to operate a motorized vessel on California waterways.

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#### Boating safety course and boating exam accredited in USA

[↑](https://aceboater.com/en-us/license-buy-boat-california#top)

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