In North Carolina, the requirement applies to anyone born on or after 1 January 1988 operating a vessel of 10 hp or more. The credential is the North Carolina Boating Education Certificate, issued by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
| Who needs it | born on or after 1 January 1988 |
| Applies to | 10 hp or more |
| What it is called | North Carolina Boating Education Certificate |
| Issued by | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission |
A licence makes you legal to operate. It tells you nothing about the boat itself. Run the hull number free — it decodes the builder and model year, and flags any US Coast Guard recall campaign on record for that manufacturer.
North Carolina requires the North Carolina Boating Education Certificate for anyone born on or after 1 January 1988 operating a vessel of 10 hp or more.