The New York Safe Boating Course
A safety certificate may be obtained by completing the New York Safe Boating Course, sponsored by the Office of Parks, Recreation &
Historic Preservation. The course is designed as a comprehensive boating course, teaching the fundamentals of safe boating operation and has
been approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators.
If you are an instructor for the New York Safe Boating Course or wish to become one, there are some important changes to the Rules and
Regulations governing this program. Please read the Instructor Information memo (pdf) for a summary of these changes, or read
the Rules and Regulations (pdf) in their entirety.
- This course requires a minimum of eight (8) hours of classroom instruction. If you complete a course of less than eight (8)
hours you may not be eligible for a certificate.
- Courses are available throughout the state. The course listing is updated regularly as courses are registered with this office.
- You must register for a course by calling the contact number provided.
- Some courses are taught free of charge by volunteer instructors, while others are taught for a fee. The fees vary from course
to course.
- When registering, you should inquire about fees, hours, sessions, etc.
- Courses taught by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron are not listed here.
Legal Requirements - Persons Required to Complete a Safety Course
You must hold a safety certificate if:
- You operate a personal watercraft and are at least 14 years of age. Until 2009 operators age 10-13 can still operate with
restrictions. Click on Navigation Law updates for complete information.
- You wish to operate a motorboat (other than a personal watercraft) and you are at least 10 years old and less than 18 years old.
- If you are less than 10 years old you may operate a motorboat (non-PWC) only if someone over 18 is on board with you. Anyone may operate
a personal watercraft if someone at least 18 years old is riding on the craft and they hold a safety certificate.
Alternate Certification
A boating safety certificate may also be obtained through the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
or U.S. Power
Squadron. For information on where to take their courses, please call 1-800-336-BOAT or vist
BoatUS.
A safety certificate issued to a resident of another state or country is acceptable provided the certificate is carried while operating
in New York State. Please note the certificate must be issued by the state or country of residence, and should be NASBLA approved.
Instructor Certification
New instructors are needed to teach the New York Safe Boating course to youths and adults. New York State Parks &
Recreation will provide the textbooks, lesson plans and audio-visual materials, if you are willing to volunteer your expertise and time.
To become a State certified instructor you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Not have any convictions or pending charges relating to certain offenses.
- Successfully complete an approved boating safety course.
- Be able to demonstrate an ability to instruct by currently holding a NYS Teachers Certificate, teach other professional courses,
or assist in the instruction of other state certified courses.
For more information, or to begin the certification process, please call (518) 474-0445
