Ohio Revised Code Title XV. Conservation of Natural Resources § 1547.05

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no person born on or after January 1, 1982, shall operate on the waters in this state a powercraft powered by more than ten horsepower, unless the operator successfully has completed either a safe boater course approved by the national association of state boating law administrators or a proctored or nonproctored proficiency examination that tests knowledge of information included in the curriculum of such a course, and has received a certificate as evidence of successful completion of the course or examination.

(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to an individual who possesses valid merchant mariner credentials issued by the United States coast guard in accordance with 46 C.F.R. 10.109 with at least one endorsement of master or operator as defined in 46 C.F.R. 10.107. Such an individual, while operating any recreational vessel on the waters in this state, shall carry onboard documentation of the merchant mariner credentials and required endorsements and shall present the documentation to a natural resources officer or law enforcement officer upon request.

(C) No person shall permit a powercraft to be operated on the waters in this state in violation of division (A) of this section.