Boating in NJ - What are the Requirements?

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To operate a powered vessel in the state of New Jersey, you are required to take a New Jersey State Police-approved boating safety course. This includes all motorized vessels.

The NJSP requires everybody to take a boat safety course and the proctored exam. We offer classroom instruction which includes the exam. If you take the online course with Ace Boater, BoaterExam, or Boat-Ed, you can join us for the proctored exam.

Children can take the class at 12 years old, and receive their certificate at age 13. There are two minimum ages, 13 years old for vessels powered by electric trolling motors, or vessels 12' or longer with less than 10 total HP. Operators of all other power vessels, including personal watercraft, must be at least sixteen years old, this includes out-of-state residents.

If you are boating on non-tidal waters, you will also need a non-tidal boat license. This is a separate document from a boat safety certificate and is required for operation on non-tidal water (water where the tide does not change) in the State of New Jersey. The boat license is not a replacement for a boat safety certificate, it is an additional requirement. On non-tidal waters in the State of New Jersey, you need both, a boat safety certificate and a boat license. To obtain a boat license, go to your nearest NJ Division of Motor Vehicle Commission Facility, bring your NJ Boat Safety Certificate, and apply for a boat license - which is an endorsement on your NJ driver's license. Remember: With a tide = one card, without a tide = two cards.

At the end of the class, you'll take a 60-question multiple-choice test. We'll grade it right there and when you pass with a score of 80 or better, you'll leave with a temporary boating safety certificate, and receive your NJSP-issued card and your NASBLA card in the mail a few weeks later. Your NASBLA card, when presented with your NJ Boat Safety Certificate, may be required when operating a vessel outside of New Jersey.

The NJ State Police produced a Boat Safety Manual that can be accessed at: http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/Licenses/021606-boating-safety-manual.pdf

We are your first step to boating legally and safely in New Jersey! Take a classroom course in either one 8-hour day or two 3 1/2 hours evenings. You can also take the class online with AceBoater.com, Boater-ed.com, or BoaterExam.com, and take the proctored exam with us!

For more information and for Boating Safety classes that are NJ State Police Approved and NASBLA Certified, go to www.BoatSafeUS.com. Our instructors will provide you with a fun-filled and educational look at Boat Safety in New Jersey. All of our instructors at Boat Safe US, LLC are certified and approved to instruct by the NJ State Police Marine Division
and our course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

Upcoming 2023 classes:

2/19 - Beach Haven Fire Company

2/22 - Mount Laurel Fire Department

2/25 - Toms River Elks

2/26 - Beach Haven Fire Company

2/26 - Morris County Public Safety Training Academy

2/27 - Clifton VFW

3/4 - Mays Landing VFW Post 220

3/6 - Raritan Township Police building

Upcoming 2023 Exams for the online course:

2/18 - Toms River Elks

2/19 - Beach Haven Fire Company