State pages
New York boating license: a certificate for every operator
Brianna's Law finished its phase-in in 2025: the age of the operator no longer matters. Enter your details to see whether you need the certificate and how to get it.
New York · Motorboat
Yes, you need the card
The rule covers every operator of this boat.
| Your age that day | 30 yrs |
| Minimum age to operate alone | not confirmed |
| Credential | Safe Boating Certificate |
| State fee | none published |
| Free BoatUS course | accepted |
| Cheapest legal route | $15payment stated by BoatUS (state card) |
Since 2025, everyone who operates a motorized boat in New York, including a PWC, needs a boating safety certificate, whatever their age.
Official page: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation · Read on October 24, 2026
Since 2025, every person who operates a motorized boat in New York, personal watercraft included, needs a boating safety certificate, whatever their age. The rule comes from Brianna's Law, which was phased in by year of birth before covering everyone; New York State Parks runs the boating education program. The credential is the Safe Boating Certificate, valid for life; a lost one is replaced online for $10. Approved courses can be taken in a classroom or entirely online, with exams to pass along the way, and online providers include the permanent certificate in their price while a temporary certificate covers the first 90 days. The free online course of the BoatUS Foundation is accepted in New York. Three exemptions stand out: non-motorized boats such as kayaks and canoes; adults of 18 or more who rent a motorboat or PWC from a livery after a safety briefing by its staff; and holders of a Coast Guard license, who carry a copy. Out-of-state certificates count only when issued by the boater's current state of residence. PWC operators must be at least 14 years old.
Compare two states
New York / Georgia
All operators / Born on or after January 1, 1998
| State fee | none published / none published |
| Minimum age, motorboat | – / 16 |
| Free BoatUS course | accepted / accepted |
State rules read and practice questions written by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · How each state is checked
New York facts: read on the official pages on October 24, 2026.
What Brianna's Law changed
New York used to require boating education only from young operators. Brianna's Law extended it in steps by year of birth until it covered every operator of a motorized boat in 2025. A person who boated for decades without a course now needs one before taking the helm of a motorboat or a PWC. The full check above shows the rule on any date, including the steps of the phase-in.
Getting the certificate
Classroom courses are given by State Parks and volunteer organizations; approved online courses are completed remotely with exams to advance. The BoatUS Foundation course is accepted in New York (its New York page). The BoatUS Foundation states that the permanent card must then be bought for $15 (its page). After an online course, a temporary certificate is valid 90 days until the permanent one arrives, and a digital copy on a phone is accepted as proof, but only in New York State.
The rental exemption
An adult of 18 or more can rent and operate a motorboat or a PWC from a livery without a certificate, after the safety briefing given by the livery staff. A person under 18 can rent only with a certificate. This is narrower than in some states: it covers renting from a livery, not borrowing a friend's boat.
New York beside its neighbors
| New York | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Vermont | Connecticut | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | All operators | All operators | Born on or after January 1, 1982 | Born on or after January 2, 1974 | All operators |
| Exam supervised | no | yes | no | no | yes |
| Free BoatUS course | accepted | not accepted | accepted | not accepted | not accepted |
The Hudson, Lake Champlain and Long Island Sound are shared waters. New Jersey requires a proctored exam and Connecticut has its own certificate, so a boater crossing lines should check both states. The mini-tool compares any two states.
Compare two states
New York / New Jersey
All operators / All operators
| State fee | none published / none published |
| Minimum age, motorboat | – / 13 |
| Free BoatUS course | accepted / not accepted |
On the water
The certificate sits beside the federal equipment rules of 33 CFR part 175: a wearable life jacket per person, throwable device, fire extinguishers and distress signals as required. The state adds its own navigation rules, listed on the State Parks pages. Facts on this page were read on the New York State Parks pages on October 24, 2026; this site is not affiliated with the state.