Iowa Boating Regulations and Laws

The Iowa Boater Education Card (also referred to as the Iowa boating license) is proof that a boater has taken and passed an approved boater education course. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources currently has a mandatory boater education requirement that requires all boaters between 12 and 17 years of age to have the Iowa boating license on board when the vessel is underway to satisfy the Iowa boating regulations.

Many boating fatalities occur because boaters aren't educated about boating safety. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources believes that an educated boater is a safer boater.