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Official New York Boater Safety Course

Get your New York Boating Safety Certificate online, approved by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks). Developed by Boat-Ed© to meet official guidelines set by NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Do I need a Boating License in New York?

Requirements
All motorized vessel operators
Required as of January 1, 2025
Students must be at least 10 years old

In New York: all operators of motorized vessels must carry a New York Boating Safety Certificate under Brianna’s Law. Students must be at least 10 years old to take the course, and certificates are valid for life. You must have the original, physical certificate on your person or on board while operating a motorized boat. Learn more at: New York Boating Laws and Regulations

3 Easy Steps

Your Path to Certification

01

Enroll

Create your Boat-Ed account, pay the course fee, and access your student dashboard to begin your boating safety course right away.

02

Study and Pass

Study the course material, pass the final exam, and print your temporary New York Boating Safety Certificate immediately. It’s valid for 60 days while your permanent certificate ships.

03

Get on the Water

That’s it! You’re ready to confidently and legally operate a boat. Your certification is valid for life and must be with you while operating. You’ll also get access to exclusive offers on additional courses and products.

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How It Works

A Better Way to Learn Boating Safety

Modern visuals, clear instruction, and updated safety content help make important boating topics easier to understand and remember, with most courses completed in 3-4 hours.

Learn the parts of a boat, fueling, trailering, boat capacity, and essential preparation before getting underway. 

Understand navigation rules, markers, sound signals, lights, anchoring, and safe operation on the water.

Cover boating laws, operator responsibilities, life jackets, emergency equipment, and legal operating requirements.

Learn how to handle capsizing, cold-water immersion, fire emergencies, collisions, and rescue situations.

Explore safe participation in watersports, paddling, fishing, tubing, and other on-water activities.

Prepare with quizzes and practice tests before completing the final certification exam.

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A Faster, More Immersive Way to Get Certified

Boat-Ed+ brings your official boater education to life with a virtual instructor, real-world scenarios, and on-the-water simulations. Like Boat-Ed, it’s state-approved and self-paced, with a more interactive format designed to help you move through certification smoothly, build confidence, and get on the water sooner.

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4.8 ★ 245k Reviews

What Boaters are Saying

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“Easy to study and follow on your own time”

Gina F.
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“Super convenient and easy course to follow! So glad I was able to take this course at my own pace!”

Jamie L.
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“The course was helpful and engaging, and use multiple learning tools”

Jose C.
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“Quick and simple process”

Eric H.

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Popular Questions

How to get a New York boating license?

To earn your New York Boating Safety Certificate, often called a New York boating license, you must complete an approved boating safety course and pass the final exam. After passing, you can print a temporary certificate that is valid for 60 days while your permanent certificate is mailed to you.

Is the New York Boat-Ed course approved?

Yes. The New York Boat-Ed course is approved and accepted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

What are the boating laws in New York?

New York boating laws require all operators of motorized vessels to carry a valid Boating Safety Certificate. The certificate is valid for life, but operators must have the original, physical certificate on their person or on board while operating a motorized boat. All vessels must have U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for each passenger, and children under 12 years old must wear them while underway.

How much does a New York boating license cost?

The total cost for the New York Boat-Ed course is $54.95.

What is the minimum age to get a New York boating license?

Students must be at least 10 years old to take the online course. NY law requires all operators of motorized vessels to carry a Boating Safety Certificate.

What are the penalties for operating a boat without a New York boating license?

Operating without a required New York Boating Safety Certificate may result in fines and penalties. Boaters should carry proof of certification when required and be prepared to show it during enforcement checks.

Do you need a license to drive a boat in New York?

Yes, in certain cases. In New York, required boaters must carry a New York Boating Safety Certificate. This is commonly referred to as a “boating license.”

How long does the New York boater safety course take?

New York requires a minimum of 8 hours of boating safety instruction. The course is self-paced, your progress is saved, and you can start and stop at any time.

Do I have to be a New York resident to take this course?

No. You do not have to be a New York resident to take the online New York Boat-Ed course.

Is my New York Boating Safety Certificate accepted in other states?

Yes. New York Boating Safety Certificates that meet National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) requirements are recognized nationwide through reciprocity.

What happens if I fail a quiz or exam?

If you fail a unit quiz, you’ll restudy the unit and retake the quiz until you pass. You must score at least 70% on unit quizzes and at least 80% on the final exam, with unlimited attempts to pass.

When will I receive my permanent New York Boating Safety Certificate?

Your permanent New York Boating Safety Certificate will arrive within 3 to 5 weeks after you complete all certification requirements.

How do I replace a lost or damaged New York Boating Safety Certificate?

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged New York Boating Safety Certificate, go to ilostmycard.com.

Official & Approved

Join 2 Million+ Boaters Certified with Boat-Ed

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation United States Coast Guard  NASBLA

This official Boat-Ed course was developed with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, approved to meet state requirements, and built to follow guidelines from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the United States Coast Guard. Since 1995, Boat-Ed has helped millions of students get certified with credentials recognized nationwide.

Get Your New York Boating Safety Certificate Today

Complete your course and take the next step toward getting on the water.

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