Question 1

Do I need a Boat Safety Certificate?

Accepted Answer

Anybody that operates a powered vessel (boat, personal water craft, boat with an electric
trolling motor) is required to have a boat safety certificate.

Question 2

How do I get a NJ boat Safety Certificate?

Accepted Answer

In NJ, you are required to take a New Jersey State Police approved boating safety course
and pass the proctored exam. Upon passing the exam, you'll leave with a temporary
boating safety certificate, and receive your NJSP issued card in the mail. Classes are
offered in-person or on-line. Find a boat safety class and exam at www.BoatSafeUS.com

Question 3

Can I take the boat safety class online?

Accepted Answer

In NJ, you can take the online course with one of the three approved course providers:
www.AceBoater.com, www.Boat-ed.com or www.BoaterExam.com or www.Recademics.com 
Students are required to take a proctored exam with a NJSP certified provider. See our
schedule at www.BoatSafeUS.com

Question 4

What is a boat license and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

If you are boating on the ocean or a bay, any body of water WITH a tide, you only need the
Boat Safety Certificate.
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 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.
Remember: With a tide = one card, without a tide = two cards

Question 5

What are the age requirements in NJ?

Accepted Answer

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.
16 years old to operate of all other powered vessels, including personal watercraft, this
includes out-of-state residents.
Children can take the class at 12 years old, and receive their certificate at age 13. Kids 13
and up can take the course and receive their boat safety certificate.

Question 6

Does my boat need to be registered?

Accepted Answer

In order to use New Jersey waterways, all boats must be titled and registered. All power
vessels and any vessel longer than 12′ must be registered. Vessels are registered by the NJ
Motor Vehicle Commission: www.nj.gov/mvc/vehicles/boating.htm

Question 7

I’m going jet skiing in NJ, do I need the boat safety certificate?

Accepted Answer

Yes! A jet ski, or personal watercraft, is a powered vessel. You must have a boat safety
certificate and be 16 years old or older. If you are on non-tidal waters, you will also need a
non-tidal boat license.

Question 8

Do I need a NASBLA certification?

Accepted Answer

If you take a NASBLA certified boat safety class, you will be able to use your NJ boat safety
certificate in other states.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit
organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA
represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. See
www.nasbla.org for more information!
Boat Safe US class, exams and instructors are approved by the National Association of State
Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Question 9

Can I “test out” and not take the course?

Accepted Answer

No, everyone that wants to operate a vessel in NJ, must take a class and pass the exam to
receive a boat safety certificate.

Question 10

Is there an official book about boating in NJ?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The NJ State Police Boating Safety Manual:
www.nj.gov/mvc/pdf/license/boatingsafety.pdf

Question 11

I am from out of state, what do I need to operate a boat in NJ?

Accepted Answer

To operate a vessel on the waters of this New Jersey, you will need one of the following: a
New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate, a NASBLA certified Boat Safety Certificate issued from

your home State, United States Coast Guard Captain’s License, or written proof of
completion of a NASBLA certified boat safety course.
Out-of-state residents with written proof of the successful completion of a boat safety
course are exempt from the boat license requirement

Question 12

Do I have to wear a life jacket?

Accepted Answer

Be on the safe side, make sure everyone wears a life jacket – every time. A stowed life
jacket is no use in an emergency. The requirement is: anybody operating a PWC and all
people 12 years old and under on any vessel must wear a United States Coast Guard
approved personal flotation device (PFD) while onboard any vessel that is underway.

Question 13

What is a Float Plan and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

Always file a float plan! A Float plan is a list of information that you will leave for somebody,
so the know where you are and when you should return. File a float plan with someone you
trust that includes details about the trip, boat, persons, towing or trailer vehicle,
communication equipment, and emergency contacts. For more info – See:
https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org

Question 14

What safety equipment do I need on my boat or PWD?

Accepted Answer

Make sure you are prepared! Besides your documentation. Make sure you have your PFDs,
the required lights, horn or whistle, distress signals, float plan, fire extinguishers, where
required, to name a few. See the NJSP’s handy Equipment Checklist:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=https://njsp.njoag.gov/msb-equipment-checklist/&ust=1769104980000000&usg=AOvVaw3YDN75VN8IqCTy9bSVB1wv&hl=en&source=gmail

Question 15

How do I get a replacement boat safety certificate / change my address / change my name?

Accepted Answer

Only New Jersey State issued boating safety certificates can be replaced by the NJSP Marine
Services Bureau.
E-mail requests should be sent to NJBoatCert@njsp.gov
The Subject of your email, type "Replacement Card Request" or “Card Address Change,”
“Card Name Change”
Requests must include the following information:
1. Full legal name, in the case of a legal name change you must include your full legal name
as it appeared on your original certificate as well as your current legal name, proof of name
change (marriage certificate etc.) .
2. Complete address, in the case of a address change you must include your address as it
appeared on your original certificate as well as your current address.
3. Identification and proof of address e.g., photocopy of driver’s license etc.
4. Certificate number as it appears on your certificate (if known).
5. Your information: Telephone number with area code and an e-mail address.

Frequently Asked Questions