There is no minimum age to take the course and you do not need to be a resident of the state. Pass the course and be certified for life!
New York Adventure License Program
If you love to spend time on New York's waterways, make it easier to carry on the tradition of boating safely. After successful completion of this course, in just a few easy steps, you can choose to have your certification noted, as an anchor icon, on your NY Driver’s License or other identification document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The advantage is that you no will longer need to carry your boating safety certificate with you when boating, provided you have your driver’s license with you.
For more information click on the link below to be taken to New York’s Adventure license web page.
State-accredited online course for all ages
Unlimited re-tries
Print temporary license and start boating!
You must be 14 years of age or older and must pass a boating safety education course before you are allowed to operate a watercraft in New York.
Persons at least 10 years old and born on or after May 1, 1996 may operate recreational boat other than PWC only if he or she:
Passed a boating safety course approved by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and has the State Boating Safety Certificate on board or is accompanied on board by a person 18 years of age or older who either has a State Boating Safety Certificate on board or is not required to have a certificate.
Person at least 14 years old may operate a PWC only if he or she:
Has passed a boating safety course approved by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and history Preservation and is carrying the State Boating Safety Certificate on board or is accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who holds a State Boating Safety Certificate.
No Person under 14 years of age may operate PWC.
You must be 14 years of age or older and must pass a boating safety education course before you are allowed to operate a watercraft in New York.
Only the following are exempted in having a boating safety certificate:
Both U.S. and Canadian licensed commercial vessel operators,
State certified instructors,
Certified instructors of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Power Squadrons,
Police/peace officers, fire/rescue personnel and lifeguards acting pursuant to their assigned duties.
There are 60 questions on the final exam.
No this is just a certificate that proves that you have taken a boating safety course and passed the exam.
You can print the certificate after passing the exam and start boating. Your permanent card will be mailed within 2 to 3 weeks.
Starting January 1, 2020. New York is implementing a phase-in-by-age law that will require a new age group to become certified per year which requires all motorized boat and PWC operators to pass a boater safety course and to have a New York boater card by January 1, 2025.
All motorized boat operators born on or after January 1, 1993 will be required to carry the New York boater card by January 1, 2020.
Yes, provided it was issued from your current state of residence, and the course was approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators. Look for the NASBLA logo on your certificate.
Yes as long as it meets the requirement set by NASBLA.
There are no limits on how long you can drive a boat with your out of state card as long as it is recognized and approved by NASBLA.
You can get more information by visiting New York State Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation (ny.gov).
