If you are boating on the ocean or a bay, any body of water WITH a tide, you only need the Boat Safety Certificate we help you get.

If you are boating on non-tidal waters (like lakes or reservoirs)  in NJ and you are a NJ resident, 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. In most cases, your boat license will be your driver's license with the BOAT endorsement.

On non-tidal waters in the State of New Jersey you will need both, a boat safety certificate and a boat license. To obtain a boat license, take your driver's license to your nearest NJ Division of Motor Vehicle Commission Facility, bring your NJ Boat Safety Certificate and apply for a boat license if they are required to possess a certificate for vessel operation.


Remember: With a tide = one card, without a tide = two cards.