Believe it or not, stand up paddle board registration is required in a handful of US states. And no, surprisingly, California’s not one of them. But if you want to paddle board legally in the states where you have to register a paddle board, we’ve summarized what you’ll need to know.
Do you have to register a paddle board? You have to register a paddle board in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Most requirements for registering a paddle board are based on length, but there are also states with other specialized SUP registration requirements, like Idaho.
Stick with me, because ya know, death, taxes … and paddle board registration. You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it.
Not a Lawyer Disclaimer: I am not an attorney. More importantly, I am not your attorney. This article is not legal advice. If you desire legal advice, consult a competent, licensed attorney in your area.
Amazon and Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means we will earn a commission on the products or services you purchase using the links.
Paddle Board Registration – State by State
Most states don’t require paddle board registration, but the few that do have some specific rules. Read up and be prepared to have your registration checked.
For those states that don’t currently require paddle board registration, we’ve included links to state agencies, statutes, and state boater education if you want to learn the specifics around paddle board registration.
DISCLAIMER: We’re not lawyers, so we encourage you to do your own research. This content is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. It represents the best available information we could find on paddle board registration at the publishing date of this article.
ALABAMA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Alabama? You do not have to register a paddle board in Alabama. Section 33-5-19 of the Alabama Code states that “A vessel not propelled by machinery…” is exempt from numbering and registration.
ALASKA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Alaska? You do not have to register a paddle board in Alaska. Alaska Statue AS 05.25.055 states that “…(4) a boat that is not equipped with mechanical propulsion…” is exempt from numbering and registration provisions.
ARIZONA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Arizona? You do not have to register a paddle board in Arizona. Chapter 3 section 5-321 of the Arizona Revised Statutes states that all “motorboats” must be numbered and registered. As paddle boards are non-motorized, they do not have to be registered.
ARKANSAS Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Arkansas? You do not have to register a paddle board in Arkansas. The Code of Arkansas Title 27, Subtitle 7, Chapter 101, Subchapter 3 (Motorboat Registration and Numbering) states that all “motorboats” shall be numbered. This excludes “vessels” that are not powered by sail or motor—paddle boards.
CALIFORNIA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in California? You do not have to register a paddle board in California. “Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles do not have to be registered in California.” So paddle boards don’t have to be registered.
COLORADO Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Colorado? You do not have to register a paddle board in Colorado. Canoes, Kayaks and non-motorized rafts (paddle boards) are exempted from registration under Colorado Revised Statutes 33-13-103.
CONNECTICUT Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Connecticut? You do not have to register a paddle board in Connecticut. “Non-motorized boats” (paddle boards) are exempted from boating registration in Connecticut.
DELAWARE Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Delaware? You do not have to register a paddle board in Delaware. According to Delaware Code Title 23, Chapter 21, 2115, “No vessel propelled safely by wind power or physical exertion shall be subject to the licensing and registration fee…” (paddle boards) are exempted from registration in Delaware.
FLORIDA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Florida? You do not have to register a paddle board in Florida. According to Florida Statutes “A non-motor-powered vessel less than 16 feet in length or a non-motor-powered canoe, kayak, racing shell, or rowing scull, regardless of length” are exempted from registration at the FLHSMV.
GEORGIA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Georgia? You do not have to register a paddle board in Georgia. Georgia DNR and Georgia Statute Title 52, CH 7, Article 1 do not require “Canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and rafts with no mechanical propulsion … not motor propelled” to be registered.
HAWAII Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Hawaii? You do not have to register a paddle board at the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. Manually propelled vessels like paddle boards are exempted from registration.
IDAHO Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Idaho? You don’t have to register a paddle board in Idaho. Paddle boards are manually propelled vessels and are not subject to registration. However, paddle boards are required to have an invasive species sticker—motor boats, jet boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts (paddle boards), and drift boats are included.
- Idaho Boater Education Course
- Idaho Kayaking Laws article
- Reference: Idaho Laws Title 67, Ch. 70 – Idaho Safe Boating Act
ILLINOIS Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Illinois? You do not have to register a paddle board in Illinois. And as of June, 2018 the Illinois Department of Natural Resources repealed the water usage stamp and registration requirements for non-motorized watercraft.
- Illinois Boater Education Course
- Illinois Kayaking Laws article
- Illinois Statutes Chapter 625 ILCS 45 – Boat Registration and Safety Act
INDIANA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Indiana? You do not have to register a paddle board in Indiana. Non-motorized vessels like canoes, rowboats, and paddle boards without sails are exempt from Indiana vessel registration.
- Indiana Boater Education Course
- Indiana Kayaking Laws article
- Indiana Code – Title 9, Article 31 – Watercraft Titling and Registration
IOWA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Iowa? Yes, in Iowa you must register your paddle board with Iowa DNR Boating Registration if it’s longer than 13′ in length. In Iowa, vessels without motor or sail, and longer than 13′, are still required to be registered to operate legally on Iowa waterways.
KANSAS Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Kansas? You do not have to register a paddle board in Kansas. Vessels without any kind of motor or sail aren’t required to be registered with Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
- Kansas Boater Education Course
- Kansas Kayaking Laws article
- Kansas Legislature – Chapter 32, Article 11
KENTUCKY Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Kentucky? You do not have to register a paddle board in Kentucky. Non-motorized vessels like paddle boards don’t require boating registration in Kentucky.
- Kentucky Boater Education Course
- Kentucky Kayaking Laws article
- Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Title 301
LOUISIANA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Louisiana? You do not have to register a paddle board in Louisiana. All motorized vessels must be registered with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, so paddle boards that have no motor or sail are exempted from Louisiana paddle board registration.
- Louisiana Boater Education Course
- Louisiana Kayaking Laws article
- Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Title 301
MAINE Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Maine? You do not have to register a paddle board in Maine. Registration in Maine is only required for paddle boards that have a motor attached to them. All motorized paddle craft must register with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in Augusta or online.
- Maine Boater Education Course
- Maine Kayaking Laws article
- Maine Statutes – Title 12, Chapter 935: Watercraft and Airmobiles
MARYLAND Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Maryland? You do not have to register a paddle board in Maryland. Registration in Maryland is not required for paddle boards that have no primary or auxiliary mechanical means or propulsion attached to them. Manually propelled vessels are exempt from registration.
MASSACHUSETTS Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Massachusetts? You do not have to register a paddle board in Massachusetts. Registration in Massachusetts is not required for paddle boards that have no mechanical means of propulsion. Thus, Paddle boards are exempt from registration in Massachusetts.
MICHIGAN Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Michigan? No. Boats 16 feet or shorter, propelled by oars or paddles, and not used for rental or commercial purposes do not have to be registered. This includes paddle boards.
MINNESOTA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Minnesota? Yes, in some cases. Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, sailboards, rowing shells over 10 feet long must be registered. if your paddle board’s less than 10 feet long it does not have to be registered. You can register your paddleboard at any deputy registrar of motor vehicles. Or at the DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota.
MISSISSIPPI Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Mississippi? No. Only sailboats and vessels with propulsion machinery must be registered in Mississippi.
MISSOURI Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Missouri? No. Non-motorized vessels are exempt from registration and titling requirements in Missouri.
MONTANA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Montana? No. Non-motorized vessels are exempt from registration and titling requirements in Montana. Because, manually propelled boats, regardless of length, are exempt from registration and taxation in MT.
NEBRASKA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Nebraska? No. “Nebraska law does not require the registration of any vessel not powered by gas, diesel or electric.” – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
NEVADA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Nevada? No. All non-motorized vessels are exempt from registration. Nevada Department of Wildlife.
NEW HAMPSHIRE Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in New Hampshire? No. Non-motorized vessels, including kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards do not need to be registered in NH.
NEW JERSEY Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in New Jersey? No. “Non-motorized inflatable devices, surfboards, racing shells, dinghies, canoes and kayaks” do not have to be registered. – New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
NEW MEXICO Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in New Mexico? No. Non-motorized vessels are exempt from registration.
NEW YORK Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in New York? No. Only watercraft with a motor must be registered. – New York State Boating & Paddling
NORTH CAROLINA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in North Carolina? No. “Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts moved only by oars, paddles, or the current do not need registration in North Carolina.” – NCWRC
NORTH DAKOTA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in North Dakota? No. “Every motorboat, principally used in North Dakota, that is powered by any motor (including electric motors) must be registered with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.” –North Dakota Game and Fish Department
As your paddle board is not powered by a motor, it’s exempt from registration.
OHIO Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Ohio? “No. Beginning October 1, 2013 the following watercraft will be exempt from registration, Paddleboards… ” – ODNR
OKLAHOMA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Oklahoma? No. “Effective July 1, 2013, canoes and paddleboats, as defined below, are no longer subject to titling and/or registration in Oklahoma.” – Oklahoma Tax Commission.
OREGON Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Oregon? No. However, paddlecraft, including canoes and kayaks, should have a valid Waterway Access Permit (formerly the Aquatic Invasive Species Permit) if in excess of 10 feet in length. However, these non-motorized vessels do not require registration.
PENNSYLVANIA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Pennsylvania? No. You don’t have to register non-motorized water vehicles in the state of Pennsylvania that are used for personal reasons.
RHODE ISLAND Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Rhode Island? No. Paddle Boards do not require registration in Rhode Island.
SOUTH CAROLINA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in South Carolina? No. Paddle boards and other human-powered watercraft are not required to be registered
SOUTH DAKOTA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota is one of the few states that requires paddle board registration. Paddle boards greater than 12′ in length must be registered in South Dakota.
TENNESSEE Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Tennessee? No. Vessels propelled only by paddles or oars are not required to be registered in TN.
TEXAS Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Texas? No. In Texas, title and registration numbers are not required on vessels with no motor or sail.
UTAH Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Utah? No. Canoes, kayaks, and other vessels not propelled by motor or sail are exempt from registration.
VERMONT Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Vermont? No. Kayaks, canoes, and all other non-motorized vessels are exempt from registration in Vermont.
VIRGINIA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Virginia? No. Manually propelled kayaks and canoes are exempt from registration.
WASHINGTON Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Washington? No. Manually propelled canoes, kayaks, and other non-motorized vehicles are exempt from registration.
WEST VIRGINIA Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in West Virginia? No, Non-motorized vessels are exempt from registration in WV.
WISCONSIN Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Wisconsin? No. Manually propelled vessels are exempt from registration in Wisconsin.
WYOMING Paddle Board Registration
Do you have to register a paddle board in Wyoming? No. Only motorboats powered by propulsion machinery must be numbered or registered.
Related Articles: