Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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:
www.nj.gov/njsp/marine-services/pdf/njsp-equipment-checklist.pdf
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.