Utah's annual boating safety course: what jet ski renters need to know

Utah changed its boating rules for 2027. Under HB 54 (opens in a new tab), passed in the 2026 legislative session, everyone who operates a motorboat in Utah has to complete a short safety course once every calendar year starting January 1, 2027, and under state law a jet ski counts as a motorboat. Here’s what that means for your rental day.

Who needs it

Whoever is driving. If more than one person in your group plans to take a turn at the handlebars, each driver needs it. Driving without proof of the course (or the rental briefing below) is an infraction.

Visiting from out of state? It applies to you too: the law has no exception for nonresidents. Bring proof, or we’ll go through the state’s safety briefing with you at pickup.

What it covers

The state built it to take under 20 minutes on average. It covers life jacket use, safe operation and navigation, the dangers of boating under the influence, and aquatic invasive species (the quagga mussel rules). Because the mussel material is built in, it replaces the separate Mussel-Aware Boater course, so it’s one course a year instead of two.

What to bring to pickup

Proof that you finished it. The state offers a digital certificate, so a copy on your phone works fine. Keep it with you on the water, too: the law says drivers carry their proof while they ride. It’s good through December 31 of the year you take it, so plan on taking the course again each new year.

If you haven’t taken it

You can still ride. The law lets rental businesses give you the state’s safety briefing instead (Utah Outdoor Recreation writes the rules for it), and we’ll go through it with you at pickup before you head out. Give yourself a few extra minutes.

Where to find it

Utah Outdoor Recreation calls it the Mandatory Watercraft Operator Course and covers it in its boating FAQ (opens in a new tab), which also says a NASBLA-approved course from another state doesn’t count for it. For the rest of Utah’s on-water rules, see our Rider Resources, or call us at (801) 923-8185.