Boating Safety Courses in New York: Who Needs One

In New York, anyone who operates a motorized boat, including a personal watercraft, must complete a state-approved boating safety course. New York State Parks says Brianna's Law requires that all operators of motorized vessels (opens in a new tab) take a state-approved safe boating course, and you must carry your original certificate while you operate.

This page explains who the rule covers and how to find a course, including free ones. Rules can change, so always check the official New York State Parks boating education page (opens in a new tab). This is general safety information, not legal advice.

Why take a course

Training matters.

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The Coast Guard's 2024 report adds that only 19% of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally-approved boating safety education certificate (opens in a new tab). Its top five contributing factors in incidents were operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure and navigation rules violations. A basic course covers many of these, such as the navigation rules and keeping a proper lookout.

The Coast Guard says courses cover many aspects of boating safety, from boat handling to reading the weather (opens in a new tab), and that the most popular basic courses have about 6 to 13 lessons. New York State Parks says its approved course covers safe operation, navigation rules, required safety equipment and more.

New York's course requirement

What New York State Parks says about Brianna's Law (opens in a new tab):

• Who must take it: all operators of motorized vessels, including personal watercraft (PWCs).
• Who doesn't have to (yet): operators of non-motorized boats, such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, are not required to take the course at this time, but the state strongly encourages it.
• Carry the original: you must have the original, physical certificate on your person or on board while operating a motorized boat. A copy is not accepted.
• Certificates last: the state says safe boating certificates are good for life.
• Temporary certificates: after you finish, a temporary certificate is valid for 90 days until the permanent one arrives.
• Other certificates: a certificate issued by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is recognized as valid. Out-of-state certificates have conditions; the state page explains them.
• Renting: people under 18 can only rent a motorized boat from a livery if they hold a safety certificate. Adults 18 and over can rent without one, and the state says livery staff must give basic instruction and safety information before you leave the dock.

Visiting another state? Each state sets its own boater education rules. Find your state's agency through NASBLA's state boating contacts (opens in a new tab).

How to take an approved course

New York State Parks says courses are available both in the classroom and online (opens in a new tab).

Classroom courses

• Taught by certified instructors. The state page links to class registration.
• At least 8 hours of classroom time.
• Students must be at least 10 years old.

Online courses

• The state says only the providers it lists are approved and meet its requirements. Use the list on the State Parks page (opens in a new tab), not a search ad.

Courses from volunteer organizations

• U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Auxiliary offers virtual and classroom courses taught by its instructors. Search its course finder by ZIP code (opens in a new tab).
• America's Boating Club (the U.S. Power Squadrons) offers boating courses in the classroom, online and on the water (opens in a new tab), including courses for state boat operator certificates.

The Coast Guard's boating safety courses page (opens in a new tab) lists more national providers that meet the American National Standard for basic boating knowledge. Make sure any course you choose is accepted by New York before you pay.

Free and low-cost classes in NYC

We couldn't find one official list of free classes in the city, but there are good ways to find one:

• Look for volunteer-taught classes. New York State Parks says some courses may be taught by volunteers and are free of charge (opens in a new tab), while some instructors charge a fee. The permanent certificate may have its own fee.
• Search the Coast Guard Auxiliary finder with your NYC ZIP code.
• Ask America's Boating Club about local squadrons near you.
• Ask your marina or boat club, if you have one, about group classes.

For paddlers, the American Canoe Association offers Smart Start for Safe Paddling (opens in a new tab), an online course built with the U.S. Coast Guard that most students finish in about 20 minutes, and an instructor finder (opens in a new tab) for on-water classes. See kayak and canoe safety and paddleboard safety.

After the course

A certificate is a start, not the finish:

• Run through our boating safety checklist before every trip.
• Practice a person-overboard drill. See what to do if you fall off a boat.
• Keep the operator sober. See boating under the influence.
• Consider on-water skills training. The Coast Guard's federal requirements guide recommends courses that meet the American National Standard for knowledge based and on-water skills training (opens in a new tab).

What you can do today

1. Read the official rules on the New York State Parks boating education page (opens in a new tab).
2. Find a class with the Coast Guard Auxiliary course finder (opens in a new tab) or through America's Boating Club (opens in a new tab).
3. Sign up the whole family, including teens who might drive the boat one day. Students can start at 10.
4. Put your certificate somewhere safe that goes on the boat with you, like a waterproof pouch with the boat keys.
5. Print the Boating Safety Checklist to use from your first trip.