Does a drivers license work or do i need a special license for a boat?

Depends on the state. A good ant of states require a boating license accepted by that state.

State by state....more and more states now require a SEPERATE boaters license (drivers license is irrelevant. They either require a boaters license....or nothing at all)

I'm in Pennsylvania, if you take the USCG offered by USCG-AUX you can get a discount on boat insurance from most companies. No boat drivers license...

Depends on state, here is a listing
https://americanboating.org/boateducation.asp

If your worried about it then go through the online power squadron course that is recognized by the NASBLA and basically valid nation wide in the US
power squadron course

I did my course through boatus.org

make sure your state will honor whatever you do.

Recently took my 8 hour in person boating safety course here in NY hosted by the USCG AUX. I am a new boater so it was useful for me. Only 45 dollars all in and in addition to getting a separate card I can also get a special anchor symbol on my NY driver's license showing I passed the course.

How can i get one

Boater license is issued by your state. Different states have different methods of testing to acquire one. Most seem pretty easy though.