Who needs boater education in Arkansas
Arkansas does not issue a boating license. Instead, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) requires boater education. If you were born on or after January 1, 1986, you must complete an approved course before operating a motorboat, including a personal watercraft (PWC). The rule applies to residents and visitors alike.
It covers every motorboat, even a boat moving only on an electric trolling motor. You must keep proof of certification on board. Arkansas accepts an AGFC-approved course or a valid NASBLA-approved certificate from another state.
Age rules
| Operator | Motorboat of 10 hp or more | Personal watercraft |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 | Direct supervision by someone at least 18 | Direct supervision by someone at least 21 |
| 12 to 15 | May operate (education rule applies) | Direct supervision by someone at least 18 |
| 16 and older | May operate (education rule applies) | May operate (education rule applies) |
For a PWC, the supervising adult must be in a position to take immediate control. PWC owners may not let unqualified people operate their craft, and rental liveries may not rent a PWC to anyone under 18.
How to get certified
- Instructor-led course: about 10 hours of classroom teaching and a hands-on demonstration, held over a few evenings or one full Saturday. The final class ends with a test. These courses are free.
- Online courses: several AGFC-approved providers, including one in Spanish and one with an interactive virtual instructor.
Certification is good for life. A physical card is optional; you can order a hard card if you want one.
Registration, insurance and life jackets
Any boat powered by machinery must be registered, whatever its size. A Certificate of Number is valid for three years. Apply within 30 days of buying a boat; until then, carry dated proof of purchase. Keep the Certificate of Number on board. Boats made in 2020 or later must also be titled.
- Numbers go on the front half of each side in block letters at least 3 inches high, reading left to right, with a space or hyphen between letters and numbers.
- Decals go 3 inches toward the stern from the number, in line with it.
- The hull identification number (HIN) is on the outside top right corner of the transom.
- A fire extinguisher is required if the boat has an inboard engine, permanent fuel tanks or closed compartments where fuel or flammable items may be stored.
- Show navigation lights at night and in fog or rain.
Arkansas also requires liability insurance for motorboats over 50 hp and for all personal watercraft. Keep proof on board.
Life jackets
- Carry a Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board.
- Boats 16 feet or longer also need one throwable device.
- Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times on any vessel. The exceptions are the enclosed area of a houseboat or cruiser, or the railed area of a party barge, when the boat is not underway.
- Everyone on a PWC, and anyone being towed, must wear a life jacket. Inflatable life jackets are not approved for PWCs.
Check the fit, especially on children.
- Zip the front.
- Buckle every strap.
- Pull the side straps tight.
- Lift at the shoulders: it should stay below the chin.
PWC, towing and no-wake rules
Personal watercraft
- Operate only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
- Attach the engine cut-off lanyard to your body, clothing or life jacket (except when going under 5 mph).
- Do not leave the water crossing another boat's wake within 100 feet of it.
- Do not go over 10 mph within 100 feet behind or 50 feet beside a boat going the same way.
- Stay at no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored boat, shoreline, dock, swimmer or person fishing.
Towing
- An observer at least 12 must watch the skier. On a motorboat, a wide-angle convex mirror can replace the observer, but not on a PWC.
- A PWC that tows must be rated for at least three people.
- No towing from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except in lit, designated night-ski areas.
No-wake and other rules
Slow, no-wake speed means no wake and not over 5 mph. Use it in posted zones and within 100 feet of a recreation area, dock, pier, raft, anchored boat or dam. On a motorboat 26 feet or less, no one may ride on the bow or gunwales while underway unless railings are installed. Glass containers are banned on canoes, kayaks and tubes within the banks of navigable waterways.
Alcohol and accidents
In Arkansas, a blood alcohol level of 0.08 means an operator is intoxicated. For operators under 21, the limit is 0.02. By operating on Arkansas waters you agree to an alcohol test when an officer has reasonable cause. Refusing can cost your boating and driving privileges for up to 6 months.
After an accident, stop, help anyone in danger if it is safe, and give your name, address and registration number in writing. Notify the AGFC or the local sheriff right away when someone dies, disappears or is hurt, or there is major property damage.
Help keep Arkansas waters clean. Drain all water from your boat before leaving, including pulling the plug and running the bilge pump, to stop the spread of aquatic nuisance species. Carry a trash container, and do not discharge untreated sewage.
National rules on right-of-way, lights and buoys are in the U.S. boater safety study guide.
Key terms
The 16 words and rules to know for this test. Read the list or study them as flashcards: flip each card, then mark it "Know it" or "Still learning".
- AGFC
- The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, which requires boater education and is notified after serious boating accidents. Arkansas issues no boating license.
- Boater education rule
- Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 must complete an approved course before operating any motorboat, even one using only a trolling motor.
- Proof of certification
- You must keep proof of boater education on board. Arkansas accepts AGFC-approved or NASBLA-approved certificates, and certification lasts for life.
- PWC age rules
- Under 12, a PWC operator needs direct supervision by someone at least 21; from 12 to 15, by someone at least 18.
- PWC rental age
- Rental liveries may not rent a personal watercraft to anyone under 18 years old.
- Certificate of Number
- The registration for any machine-powered boat, valid for three years. Apply within 30 days of buying and keep it on board.
- Registration numbers
- Block letters at least 3 inches high on the front half of each side, with the decal 3 inches toward the stern.
- Hull identification number (HIN)
- The boat's identifying number, found on the outside top right corner of the transom.
- Liability insurance
- Arkansas requires it for motorboats over 50 hp and for all personal watercraft, with proof kept on board.
- Child life jacket rule
- Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times on any vessel, with limited exceptions when not underway.
- Throwable device
- A flotation device that boats 16 feet or longer must carry in addition to a wearable life jacket for each person.
- PWC operating hours
- Personal watercraft may run only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
- Engine cut-off lanyard
- A cord attaching a PWC operator to the engine switch, worn on the body, clothing or life jacket except under 5 mph.
- Towing observer
- A person at least 12 who watches a skier. A wide-angle mirror can replace them on a motorboat, but not on a PWC.
- Slow, no-wake speed
- Speed that makes no wake and is not over 5 mph, required in posted zones and within 100 feet of docks or anchored boats.
- Boating BAC limits
- An operator with 0.08 blood alcohol is intoxicated, or 0.02 if under 21. Refusing a test can cost privileges for up to 6 months.