New York

Age Requirements:

New York has a mandatory education law for all boaters born on or after 5/1/1996 and all PWC operators of any age.

Under a new law known as Brianna's Law, all motor boat operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1993 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2020.

Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2022.

Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1983 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2023.

Those born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2024.

All motor boat operators regardless of age will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2025.

Boat Operation (excluding PWCs):

• Children under 10 may not operate.
• Boaters born on or after 5/1/1996 may only operate if they have successfully completed an approved boating safety course such as the BoatUS Foundation’s Free Online Boating Safety Course.

PWC Operation:

Education is Mandatory for All PWC Operators.

• All personal watercraft operators must successfully complete an approved boating safety course before they can operate a PWC on any waters of New York.
• All PWC operators must be a minimum of 14 years old - no one under the age of 14 may operate a PWC.
• No one under the age of 16 may rent a personal watercraft. Those under 18 years of age wishing to rent a personal watercraft must possess a boating safety education certificate.

After completing the course you will be awarded a temporary certificate (90 days) that you can print free of charge but you will also need to purchase a permanent boating education card for $15 or apply for the the New York Adventure License as described below.

Purchasing a permanent boating education card from the BoatUS Foundation:

For $15.00 you may purchase a permanent plastic boating education card from the BoatUS Foundation (or read below for information about the New York Adventure License Program). To order your card, log in at courses.boatus.org and click on "My Courses" on the top menu bar. Under the calendar on the left side of the My Account screen click the print link next to your New York certificate to open the certificate options window. Click "Get Boating Card" and fill in the requested payment information to place your order. Please allow 2-3 weeks from date of purchase to receive your permanent boating education card.

New York Adventure License Program:

After successful completion of this course, 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. The New York State Adventure License costs $13.50

For more information click on the link below to be taken to New York’s Adventure license page: