Online New York Boater Safety Course

Get your official New York Boating Safety Certificate with a convenient, affordable online course. $39.99

New York Boater
Safety Course

Get your official New York Boating Safety Certificate with a convenient, affordable online course. $39.99

Recademics.com is an official delegated provider of the New York State Parks.

Official Course Approved By the New York State Parks

This course has been designed as a provider, created in collaboration with, and approved by the New York State Parks for the New York Boating Safety Certificate.

Who Needs This Course?

It’s the law in New York! In New York, all boaters are required to complete a boater safety course.

You must be at least 10 years old to take this online course.
You do not have to be a resident of New York to take this online course.

Helpful Resources

Boating Laws in New York

Get on the water with our fast and affordable online course. Officially approved by NYSP and the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), this New York boating course ensures you master essential boating safety skills and know local New York boating laws. Upon completion, you will receive your Boating Safety Certificate

Recademics made getting my certification easy and fast. Officially the best course out there!

Becca M.

Engaging course with top-notch material. Highly recommend for certification!

Kelly T.

Officially amazed by Recademics! Easy to understand material and quick certification process.

Erin W.

Fast course, got my certification in no time. Recademics is the best!

Lacey R.

Loved Recademics! Easy to navigate and the fastest way to get certified.

Sara K.

Recademics made getting my boating certification easy and fast. Officially the best course out there!

Jared H.

Best boating course out there. Recademics offers thorough and understandable content.

Stephen B.

Great experience! The certification process was smooth and efficient.

Jose R.

Quick and easy certification with Recademics. Definitely the best course I’ve taken.

Erin R.

Recademics made it so easy to get certified fast. Great quality content!

Dennis B.

Fast, easy, and official. Recademics is the best boater education course by far!

Kelly W.

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How It Works

Register

5 Minutes

Complete the Course & Pass the Test

3 Hours

Download Your Instant Certification!

1 Minute

Go Boating!

Instantly

Stay Safe, Stay Legal: What New York Boaters Need to Know About Safety Courses

Every year, avoidable boating accidents result in injuries and fatalities. Many of these incidents involve inexperienced operators who have never completed a safety course. That’s why New York requires all boaters to earn a boating safety certificate, often referred to as a boating license.

This certificate proves that you’ve completed a state-approved boater safety course and understand the laws, navigation rules, and safe practices needed to operate a vessel responsibly. The New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks) department oversees boater education requirements and certifies all approved course providers.

What Is the New York Boating Safety Certificate?

Often called a “boating license,” New York’s Boating Safety Certificate is issued by NYS Parks or an authorized course provider upon completion of an approved course. It signifies that the holder has demonstrated essential boating knowledge, including state laws, emergency procedures, and navigation rules.

Why You Need a Boater Safety Certificate in New York

Legal Requirements

New York law now requires most motorized boat operators to complete a safety course as part of the phased-in Brianna’s Law, which applies to boaters born on or after specific dates. By January 1, 2025, all operators of motorized boats—regardless of age—must hold a boating safety certificate.

Boating Safety and Accident Prevention

New York’s diverse waterways—from Lake George to Long Island Sound—can present real hazards. Certified operators are statistically far less likely to be involved in accidents. Training saves lives.

Who Needs a Boating Safety Certificate in New York?

Under Brianna’s Law, these are the current requirements:

Born on or after Jan 1, 1988 – Must have a certificate by 2023
Born on or after Jan 1, 1983 – Must have it by 2024
Everyone, regardless of age, must have it by January 1, 2025

Additionally, anyone operating a personal watercraft (PWC) such as a jet ski must have the New York boating safety certificate.

How to Get Your New York Boating Safety Certificate

1. Choose a New York State Parks-Approved Boater Safety Course

Take a boater safety course approved by NYS Parks. You can take the course online through Recademics or attend an in-person class. Approved courses cover topics such as:

Navigation rules and aids
Operating laws and safety equipment
Emergency preparedness
Jet ski-specific safety

2. Complete the Course and Pass the Exam

After completing the course material, you must pass the final exam. Once passed, you’ll receive a temporary certificate and later a permanent one issued by the state or the course provider.

3. Carry Your Certificate When Boating

New York law requires boaters to carry proof of certification while operating a vessel or PWC.

How Long Does the Course Take?

New York-approved boating safety courses take a minimum of 8 hours. Online courses allow you to complete the material at your own pace, and most include interactive videos, quizzes, and real-world scenarios.

Benefits of Taking a Boater Safety Course

Legal Compliance: Avoid tickets or fines by meeting state requirements.
Peace of Mind: Learn how to handle emergencies, avoid collisions, and protect passengers.
Reciprocity: Your New York certificate is accepted by most other states and Canadian provinces.
Jet Ski Operation: Legally required for all personal watercraft operators.

New York Boater Safety FAQs

Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in New York?
Yes—if you’re operating a motorized vessel and fall under the age requirement of Brianna’s Law, you must have a boating safety certificate even when renting.

Do I need a certificate to drive a Jet Ski in NY?
Yes. All operators of PWCs—regardless of age—must be certified.

How old do I have to be to get certified?
You must be at least 10 years old to take the course and receive a certificate in New York.

Get Certified with the NY State Parks Approved Boater Safety Course

Recademics offers a state-approved, 100% online New York boater safety course—built with real-life scenarios and expert instruction. Start today and earn your certificate from the comfort of home.

See How Recademics Stacks Up Against The Rest

New York-Approved

Video

Interactive

Customer Support

Price

$ 44

Yes
Some
No
Mostly Self-Service

$ 39

Yes
Some
No
Yes

$ 54

Yes
No
Yes
Mostly Self-Service

What Is In The New York Boating Course?

Boating Terminology

Define and demonstrate knowledge of common nautical terms across all types of boating including vessel, port, starboard, bow, stern, stand-on, and give-way.

Boat Types and Characteristics

Understand various boat types and their limitations, calculate a boat’s capacity with or without a capacity plate, and explain proper loading techniques and gear securing on a boat.

Required Equipment

The essential equipment for safe boating, including flotation devices, required lights, sound signals and visual distress signals

Trip Planning and Preparation

Master thorough boat trip planning and safety, including regulations, weather, readiness, hazard recognition, float plans, maintenance, and decision-making.

Safe Boat Operation

Master safe boat operation, covering responsibilities, accident reporting, basic seamanship, and the dangers of boating under the influence.

Navigation

Learn navigation rules and responsibilities, understand homeland security measures, identify navigation aids, and recognize marker types and purposes.

Boating Emergencies

Learn emergency response, including assisting distressed individuals or boats, post-incident procedures, handling environmental stressors, storm response, carrying emergency devices, and effective communication with vessels and emergency hailing.

New York Boating Laws and Regulations

Learn New York boating laws, focusing on rules, registration, and safety. This knowledge is essential for responsible and enjoyable boating while preserving New York waterways.

Recademics Course Features

Official
Certification

Finish the course and get your certification immediately, so you can start boating right away.

Affordable &
Aboveboard

Don't break the bank for boater education. Our course is budget-friendly, ensuring you can spend more money on the fun stuff, boating!

Safety with a
Splash of Fun

This course is filled with interactive learning challenges, real life examples, and engaging videos that'll have you hooked from the first click.

Live
Support

Enjoy peace of mind with live customer support. We don’t expect you’ll need it, but in the rare case you do, we’ll be here to answer your call.

Boating in New York

New York provides a wide array of boating opportunities with its lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Popular destinations include the Hudson River, Lake George, and the Finger Lakes, where boaters can enjoy fishing, sailing, and water sports. The state’s diverse environments offer unique boating experiences from urban settings to serene natural areas. To ensure safety, New York mandates that boaters complete a safety course and obtain a license, fostering responsible boating throughout the state.

New York Boating Course FAQs

What is the New York boater safety course?

A New York NYSP-approved boater safety course is designed to teach the fundamentals of safe boating. It covers navigation rules, federal and New York boating laws, safety equipment, and responsible boating practices. The course aims to reduce boating incidents on New York waterways.

Who needs to take the New York boating course?

In New York, all boaters are required to complete a boater safety course..

The New York State Parks encourages all boaters get the Boating Safety Certificate to stay familiar with New York laws and regulations.

Is the Boating Safety Certificate good in all states?

All states and Canada recognize the New York Boating Safety Certificate received from courses that are NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) approved. This is known as Reciprocity.

How Long is the New York online boating course?

The New York boating course typically takes 3 hours if taken online. The online format allows New York users to complete it at their own pace, starting and stopping as needed. Set aside a weekend for New York State Parks sanctioned in-person courses.

What is the cost of the course?

The cost can vary depending on the course you choose. Most NYSP-approved courses are $35 – $60. The Recademics course for New York is $39.99 and has a pass guarantee. If you don’t pass, you get your money back.

Can I take the New York boater safety course online?

Yes, most states offer the option to take the boater safety course online, providing a convenient way to learn at your own pace from anywhere.

Is there an exam at the end of the boater safety course?

Yes, to receive a New York Boating Safety Certificate, you must pass a final exam at the end of the course.

How do I get my New York boating certificate after completing the course?

After completing the course and passing the final exam, you will receive your boater safety certificate by digital download, instantly. You also have the option to purchase a physical card that will be mailed to you within 30 days of completion.

Does the boater safety certificate expire?

The New York Boating Safety Certificate does not expire and is valid for life.

Can I retake the boater safety course if I fail the exam?

Yes, most course providers in New York allow you to retake the exam if you do not pass on your first attempt. Recademics has a pass guarantee. You can retake the New York boating exam and course for free if you fail the first time or get your money back.

What if I lose my boater safety certificate?

If you lose your New York Boating Safety Certificate, you should contact the New York State Parks. There may be a process and fee for issuing a replacement.