New York State Boater Safety Class

New York State provides boating safety certificates to those people who successfully complete a New York State Safe Boating Classroom Course. New York State also recognizes the safety certificates issued by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the US Power Squadron. Boating Safety Certificates from several online course providers are approved for New York State residents

Who needs a boating safety certificate?

Motorboats

If you were born on or after May 1, 1996 you will need a boating safety certificate.

Personal Watercraft

If you are 14 years of age or older you must have a boating safety certificate.

If you are a New York resident you will need to have a NYS boating safety certificate; if you are from out of state New York recognizes the boating safety certificate issued by your home state.

Certain allowances to this law have been made for visitors to New York, persons renting a boat from a livery and persons purchasing a new boat for the first time.
Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions for more information on boating safety certificates.

Operators of sailboats, kayaks, standup paddleboards, rowboats, canoes and any other watercraft without a motor are not required to have a boating safety certificate to be on the water.

MEMBERS WHO ARE OR WISH TO BE QUALIFIED ON 3-14-26 ARE STRONGLY URGED TO TAKE THIS CLASS.

Sailboats, kayaks, standup paddleboards, rowboats canoes and any other watercraft

Though it is not required to have a boating safety certificate to be on the water, it is good idea to take a boating course.

In-Classroom Instruction

New York State Parks' Bureau of Marine Services has over 55 years of experience teaching New Yorkers to operate their boats safely. In the last 15 years, through State Parks network of certified instructors, we have taught more than 300,000 people.

The in-classroom course option is designed as a comprehensive study of boating safety to teach the fundamentals of safe boating operation. The course requires a structured classroom setting and has been approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

Anyone successfully completing the New York Safe Boating Course or approved online boating safety course may opt to have their driver's license, non-driver ID, or learner's permit indicate completion of the course. A small anchor icon will be placed on your DMV document, attesting that you have earned a New York State boating safety certificate.

The advantage to this program is that you will no longer need to carry your boating safety certificate with you when boating, provided you have your DMV credential with you. DMV will maintain a record of your having completed the boating safety course, and automatically place the icon on your license each time it is renewed.

Motorboats

New Law Effective May 1st 2014
All individuals born on or after 5/1/96 are now required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat. Approved courses include those offered by NYS Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons. Individuals less than 10 years of age may not take this course of instruction. Certain allowances to this law have been made for visitors to New York, persons renting a boat from a livery and persons purchasing a new boat for the first time. Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Suffolk County Residents

In 2014, legislation signed by the Governor supersedes all local laws or ordinances with respect to motorboat education requirements. Any local boater education requirement adopted by a locality prior to the effective date of this law is no longer enforceable.