If you’re looking to obtain a New York State boater’s license online or in person, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of getting your boater’s license.

First:

Its important to note that there are no boating licenses for personal boats in New York. However, there are boating safety education certificate requirements. To get a certificate, you must complete a New York approved boater safety course online or in person.

You can take the BOATsmart! New York Boating Safety Course online and print your temporary certificate immediately. By January 1, 2025, every operator of a motorized boat in New York State must obtain a boating safety certificate. All PWC Personal Watercraft operators must hold a New York State Parks approved boating certificate.

To get started:

Enroll in an online or in-person class through the state licensing agency. A variety of third-party organizations also offer courses. However, programs must be state-approved in order to be acceptable.

Study all of the materials provided during the class, including the New York boaters guide, which will prepare you for the final examination.

Once you’ve completed the required hours of in-person or online instruction, take the boat card test. This test will cover all of the material that you learned during your course. If you pass the test, you’ll be awarded your boating privileges.

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 and any NASBLA certified course from other states are also recognized . Courses are available both in person and online so that you can choose the course that 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 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.

Overall, getting your New York State boater’s license is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following these steps and completing your course and test, you’ll be able to safely navigate public waterways and enjoy all that New York has to offer!

I hope this helps! Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.