New Jersey Boating Laws and Boat Course Requirements

The New Jersey Boating Safety Education Certificate (commonly known as the New Jersey boating license) is proof that a boater has successfully completed a boating safety course.

Anyone operating a motorized vessel is required to have a New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate by June 1, 2009, regardless of age.

In addition to the education requirement that takes effect on June 1, 2009, operators must meet age requirements in order to operate a motorized vessel.

• A person less than 13 years of age may not operate a motorized vessel.
• A person under the age of 16 may not operate a PWC.
• A person 13 through 15 years of age may operate a vessel powered by an electric motor or vessels 12 feet or longer and powered by a motor less than 10 horsepower only if he or she has successfully passed a boating safety education course approved by the New Jersey State Police.
• A person 16 years old or older, may operate a motorized vessel if they have successfully completed an approved boating safety course.

A Boating Safety Education Certificate issued by the New Jersey State Police as well as photographic identification, such as a driver’s license, must be carried on board by all persons required to have passed a state-approved boating safety education course.

Even if not required by law to get the New Jersey boating license, many boaters take the boat safety course in order to save on their PWC or boat insurance. Do your part to make boating in New Jersey a safe, enjoyable pastime! Become an educated, responsible boater by completing the my.Boat-Ed.com New Jersey course and practice what you learn.

How do I learn about the legal requirements of boating in New Jersey?

Laws and regulations concerning operating a personal watercraft or vessel, required equipment, vessel registration and much more are covered in the online course in Unit 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating.

How do I take a safe boating exam and get my boater education card?

You can study over the Internet using the online boating safety course. Once you have completed the course online and passed each unit quiz, you may print a course completion certificate from your computer. The certificate will serve as your admission ticket for the state-required In-Person Exam. Upon completing and passing the In-Person Exam, you will be issued a Boating Safety Education Certificate from the New Jersey State Police.

Where can I get the boater safety education course material?

You're at the right place, because the my.Boat-Ed.com New Jersey online safe boating course is the official course developed specifically for the New Jersey State Police. All the required safe boating course material to get your boater education certificate is available online.

Where can I get more information about the New Jersey boater education certificate?

• Read Frequently Asked Questions about the New Jersey boater's license;
• Contact the New Jersey State Police;
• Contact Boat Ed, and we'll be glad to answer any of your questions about the New Jersey boater's license or boating license requirements in other states.

Who needs a New Jersey boat license, and what can they operate once they get their boater education certificate?

New Jersey boating safety education requirements and laws about operating a boat or PWC are explained in detail in the online course, Unit 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating.