Starting January 1, 2025, a safety certificate will be required of all operators, regardless of age.

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https://parks.ny.gov/boating/education.aspx

In 2024, all operators of motorized vessels born on or after January 1, 1978 need to carry a safe boating certificate while operating. Starting January 1, 2025, a safety certificate will be required of all operators, regardless of age.

• Click here to find a safe boating course

• Apply for a replacement certificate online

• Carry your safety certificate wherever you go by adding an anchor icon on your driver's license. Visit the NYS Parks Adventure License page to apply today. *** If you took your course online, do not use this link. Please revisit the page where you took your online course, log-in, and find the link to the Adventure License application on that page.

A safe day on the water is a fun day on the water! To help ensure our waterways remain safe and enjoyable, New York State will require all motorized boaters to take a safe boating course and earn their safe boating certificate by 2025.

The New York Safe Boating Course teaches basic boating skills and encourages common sense and courtesy to all who share the water. Boaters can earn their certificate by taking a classroom course with certified New York State instructors or through approved online courses. Certificates issued by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, America's Boating Club, US Powerboating (These classes are also offered by Waterfront | SUNY Maritime College) and any NASBLA certified course from other states are also recognized.

Take A Boating Safety Course

Courses are available both in person and online so that you can choose the course the best fits your needs. You must be at least 10 years old to take a safe boating course.

Classroom courses are offered around the state by our certified and experienced instructors. Classroom courses are a great opportunity for boaters of all ages, especially first time and youth boaters, to earn their certificates. Please note that some instructors may charge an instructional fee. Fees paid to your instructor do not include the fee for a permanent certificate for students age 18 and older. Click here to find a classroom course

With an approved online course, learning is completed online and successful completion of unit exams is required in order to advance through the course. Fees paid to the online provider include the cost of your permanent certificate issued by the provider.

• Aceboater
• America's Boating Club (formerly known as US Power Squadron) Spanish online course available
• American Safety Council
• Boat-ED
• Boat U.S.
• BOATERexam
• BOATsmart
• BoatTests101 Disponible en español
• iLearnToBoat
• Drive A Boat USA
• New York Quick Boater Course

Please refer to Frequently Asked Questions for more information about online boating education courses

Boating Safety Certificates

Boating safety certificates are required for recreational boaters using motorized vessels, including personal watercraft. Operators of non-motorized boats, such as kayaks and canoes, are not required to have a boating safety certificate at this time.

Other things to know about Boating Safety Certificates

• New York recognizes the boating safety certificate issued by your home state.
• Persons may rent and operate a motorboat from a livery without first obtaining a boating safety certificate. Staff at the livery must provide basic instruction and safety information before you depart the dock.
• While operators of non-motorized boats do not need a safe boating certificate, they are encouraged to take a safe boating course as well.