A new state law will kick-in Jan. 1 requiring recreational boaters in their teens and early 20s to complete a boater education course.

Maine will join 44 other states with the new requirement following the passage of a measure passed by lawmakers earlier this year, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Starting Jan. 1, a person born on or after Jan. 1, 1999, may not operate a motorboat of 25 horsepower or greater for recreational boating unless the person is at least 12 years old and has completed a boater safety course.

The course can be taken in-person or online and teaches about safe boat operation, Maine boating laws, preparing for emergencies and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Those who complete the course will be required to carry a boater safety and education course certificate to present to a law enforcement officer if requested, according to IF&W.

The state has approved courses offered by the BoatUS Foundation, Boat-Ed and Boattests101.

The law applies to lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and up to three nautical miles out into the ocean.

The law carves out a few exemptions, including registered Maine guides, commercial fishermen, daily boat renters and merchant mariners