Boating Education
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.
- 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 or
someone between the ages of 10 and 18 who holds a safety certificate, 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
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