WHO NEEDS A NEW YORK BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATE
As of January 1st, 2020 all boat operators in New York who were born on or after January 1, 1993 are required to obtain a Boating Safety Certificate to operate a motorized boat or PWC. The new Boating Safety Education law will be phased in over a period of 6 years. As of January 1, 2025, all operators of motorized boats or PWCs in New York will need to get certified.
- 2020 27 years old
- 2021 34 years old
- 2022 45 years old
- 2023 40 years old
- 2024 46 years old
- 2025 All ages
OTHER PROVIDER 1
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90 Day Course Access
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- Get Licensed In 3 Hours (Average)
- Phone Support
- Unlimited Test Retries
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Lifetime Course Access
- State Approved
- Get Licensed In 3 Hours (Average)
- Live In-Course Chat Support
- Phone Support
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- Animated, Narrated & Perfect For All Ages
- Unlimited Test Retries
OTHER PROVIDER 2
$29.95
90 Day Course Access
- State Approved
- Get Licensed In 3 Hours (Average)
- Phone Support
- Unlimited Test Retries
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BOATsmart! has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 8162 ratings and reviews.
Several questions on the California final exam, I would guess 10 or 15 % percent, were not covered in the subject matter. When a problem arrises, such as when one needs an application id or flunks the final exam, rather the just saying the process can not be completed or just exiting out, the reason for the problem should be stated.
John C
Posted
1 month ago
i read a book and the A,B,Cs of calif boating. it was giving to me at my lake core of enginers its called state of california resources agency department of boating and waterways it helped a lot .it covers a lot for the test .i took the test thanksgive morning i am 77 years old and have injoyed boating all my life. i have a small base boatand use it alot at lake mendocino.you realy need to put your nose in a book to pass this test the first time like i did. but not a problem you can take this boating exam over and over untill you pass with now extra charge. happy boating Ray
Raymond S
Posted
1 month ago
It would have been nice to be able to whatch the videos. The course kept saying that it was a private video and that we did not have permissions to view it. This is evan after signing into veimo. Otherwise I would have given a 10.
James D
Posted
1 month ago
Excellent content and very thorough. The main issue is wait time between each page. People who read quickly are left waiting 30sec-1m to hit the next button, this distrupts attention and makes the course take much longer.
Eliza M
Posted
1 month ago
Pretty good but some of the sections during the course made you wait too long to get to the next slide, and some of the other sections went too fast-- sometiems inconsistent. Also total course was 4 hours but I thought California only required 3 hours.
Roger S
Posted
2 months ago
Very easy to follow. Learned both verbally and visually. Helpful to get through the course on time.
Grant C
Posted
2 months ago
Enjoyed the course
Julia N
Posted
9 months ago
Easy to navigate and understand
samuel s
Posted
10 months ago
Exactly what I was looking for. Clear video clips and audio to relay the important points.
Gregory L
Posted
10 months ago
Very relevant
Donald N
Posted
11 months ago
Buy More, Save More
Purchase more than one boating course, test and card and save up to 35%. Perfect for family, friends and workmates, we include everything your crew needs to get their Official New York Boating Safety Certificate.
1 Boater
“There’s nothing better than leaving the work week in our wake.”
– Jesse L, Albany, NY
Watch, Listen & Learn
From anywhere, on any device at any time.
Our animated and narrated Boating Safety Course is perfect for all ages. Study from your Smartphone, Tablet or Desktop and switch between devices at any time. BOATsmart! automatically tracks your progress so you can study at your own pace.
Pass the official test
Take the New York Boating Safety Test online
Take the official New York Boating Safety test online. Consisting of 50 multiple-choice questions, the final test is open book. BOATsmart! includes free unlimited retries so you’re guaranteed to pass.
Get Your Official Boating Safety Certificate
Print your Temporary Card immediately
Print your Temporary Card immediately after passing the final test. BOATsmart! will mail your permanent card within 4 weeks.
Boating In New York
LOST OR DAMAGED BOATER CERTIFICATE?
Official New York Boating Safety Certificate Replacements
Lost? Damaged? Need some back-ups? Don’t sweat it! If you need to replace your New York Boating Safety Certificate or want back-up copies for the tackle box, cabin or boat we’ve got you covered.
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FREE BOATING LICENSE PRACTICE TEST
Not sure what to expect? Try the Boating License Practice Test for free and test your knowledge.
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NEW YORK BOATER EDUCATION CARD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a New York Boating Safety Certificate?
The New York Boating Safety Certificate is proof that a boater has successfully passed the New York Boating Safety Test. As of January 1st, 2020 all boat operators in New York who were born on or after January 1, 1993 are required to obtain a Boating Safety Certificate to operate a motorized boat or PWC. The new law is being phased in over 6 years, with all boat operators requiring certificate as of January 1st, 2025.
Is the New York Boating Safety Certificate the same as a Boating License?
The State of New York required boat operators to obtain a safety certificate in order to legally operate a motorized boat. It is commonly referred to as a ‘boating license’ however, unlike a driver’s license a boating safety certificate is good for life, and does not require renewal.
Who needs a New York Boating Safety Certificate?
All boat operators in New York who were born on or after January 1st, 1993 are required to get certified. The Boating Safety Education law in New york will continue to be phased in over the next 6 years:
| If you were born after: | You will be required to obtain a New York Boating Safety Certificate as of: |
| January 1, 1993 | January 2020 |
| January 1, 1988 | January 2022 |
| January 1, 1983 | January 2023 |
| January 1, 1978 | January 2024 |
| All ages | January 2025 |
Who is exempt from having to obtain a New York Boating Safety Certificate?
- State certified instructors
- Instructors who are certified with the USCG or the US Power Squadrons
- Licensed Canadian and US Commercial boat operators
- Police or peace officers, firefighter, emergency rescue personnel or lifeguards acting within the scope of their official duties
- Non-residents who have obtained boating safety certification from another state
What is the fine for not having the Card?
Boaters caught without a New York Boating Safety Certificate may be fined up to $250.
How do I get a New York Boater Education Certificate?
You can obtain your official Boating Safety Certificate from BOATsmart! in three steps:
- Take the BOATsmart! New York Boating Safety Course online.
- Pass the New York Boating Safety Test online.
- Print a Temporary Certificate immediately.
How do I prepare for the New York Boating Safety Test?
Boaters can prepare for the official New York Boating Safety Test with the BOATsmart! Course which includes animated, narrated and illustrated lessons designed for all ages. The 3-hour New York Boating Safety Course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the New York Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and is recognized by the US Coast Guard. The BOATsmart! New York Boating Safety Course includes all the knowledge you need in order to obtain your New York Boating Safety Certificate.
Will my New York Boating Safety Certificate ever expire?
No. Your New York Boating Education Certificate is good for life. However, you will always have access to your BOATsmart! Course, and can check-back any time to brush up on your boating safety knowledge, and explore free refresher lessons.
How do I replace my New York Boating Safety Certificate?
You can easily purchase a replacement New York Boating Safety Certificate by contacting BOATsmart! at 1-877-655-7778 or by logging in to your BOATsmart! Account online.
Do I need a Driver’s License to operate a boat in New York?
No. The state of New York does not require that boat operators possess a valid driver’s license. However, they are required to obtain a New York Boating Safety Certificate to legally operate a motorized boat or PWC within the state, if they were born on or after January 1st, 1993.
Do I need a Boating Safety Certificate for all types of boats?
Boat operators in the state of New York, who require boating safety certification, must obtain a New York Boating Safety Certificate to legally operate any motorized boat or PWC within the state.
How long does the New York Boating Safety Course take?
The state of New York requires that you spend a minimum of 3 hours studying the online course. The purchase of your BOATsmart! New York Boating Safety Course includes unlimited lifetime access.
Is my New York Boating Safety Certificate valid in other states?
Yes. The New York Boating Safety Certificate is accepted in 40 states, which extend reciprocity. This means the BOATsmart! Course meets the National Standards established by NASBLA. This law applies to operators of motorized boats, but not in all states to operators of personal watercraft (PWCs). Always check the boating laws in the state you plan to visit prior to operating a boat or PWC there.
Who is BOATsmart!?
BOATsmart!® is North America’s Boating Educator, approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard. We’ve been delivering award-winning online boating courses since 2003 and have certified more than 650,000 boaters. BOATsmart! is accredited and approved by the New York Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, to deliver the official New York Boater Education and Boating Safety Test.
New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY, 12208
https://parks.ny.gov/
Trusted from coast-to-coast, New York approved
The official BOATsmart! New York Boating Safety Course is approved by the New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard.
BOATsmart! has provided online boating safety education across North America since 2013. Our courses are designed and developed by real boaters, subject matter experts and instructional design educators. We’ve certified more than 650,000 boaters online and are proud to be the choice of boaters from coast-to-coast.
