Missouri — With the arrival of warmer temperatures, the Missouri Highway Patrol wants to remind residents to get their boater safety identification card if they plan on hitting the Missouri lakes this year, but some residents do not need one.
The Missouri Highway Patrol reminded Facebook users that since January 1, 2005, any Missouri residents born after January 1, 1984, have been required by state law to possess a boater safety identification card, and out-of-state boaters must possess a boater safety identification card issued by the state in which they currently reside.
According to state law, a Missouri-issued boater safety ID card can be obtained by:
- Successfully completing a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and certified by the water patrol division, OR
- Successfully passing an equivalency examination prepared by the water patrol division or its agent. The equivalency examination shall have a degree of difficulty equal to, or greater than, that of the examinations given at the conclusion of a boater safety course, OR
- Possessing a valid master’s, mate’s, or operator’s license issued by the United States Coast Guard.
If you plan to boat this summer and have not yet obtained your boater safety ID, you can find a list of available 2025 boater safety courses in Missouri here.
