Boating in New Jersey – What You Need to Know

To operate a powered vessel in the state of New Jersey, you are required to take a NJ State Police approved boating safety course. This includes all motorized vessels, like boats, jet skis and includes electric trolling motors.

AGE. 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 16 years old, this includes out-of-state residents.

NJ BOAT SAFETY CERTIFICATE. Your first step is to take the in-person NJ boat safety class or the online course and proctored exam to get your NJ BOAT SAFETY CERTIFICATE. The NJSP requires the in-person class to be 8 hours, and is offered in one day, or two evenings. If you choose to take the online course, you are still required to take the proctored exam. The NJSP approved online course providers are www.BoaterExam.com, www.Boat-Ed.com, and www.AceBoater.com.

NON-TIDAL BOAT LICENSE. If you are boating on TIDAL waters – you are good to go, you just need the boat safety certificate. However, if you are operating your vessel on NON-TIDAL waters in NJ (lakes, reservoirs…), you will also need the 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 you NJ driver's license.

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

NASBLA. You can use your NJ boat safety certificate in other states if you take a NASBLA certified class and exam. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) is a national 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 and creates educational standards for boating safety classes. If you take a NASLBA certified class, you can use your NJ state boat safety certificate in any other US states that requires a boat safety certificate. Boat Safe US, LLC is NASBLA certified. Take the NJSP required class and exam with Boat Safe US, and receive your NASBLA certification at the same time.

For more information and for Boating Safety classes and exam 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).

Register for your boat safety course at www.BoatSafeUS.com.

Upcoming classes and exams:

Class: Freehold, Monday & Wednesday, 8/4/2025 & 8/6/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Class: Scotch Plains, Monday & Wednesday, 8/4/2025 & 8/6/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Class: Lawrence Township, Tuesday & Thursday, 8/5/2025 & 8/7/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Class: Toms River, Tuesday & Thursday, 8/5/2025 & 8/7/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Exam: Clifton, Wednesday, 8/6/2025 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Exam: Scotch Plains, Wednesday, 8/6/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Exam: Freehold, Wednesday, 8/6/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Exam: Lawrence Township, Thursday, 8/7/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Exam: Mount Laurel, Thursday, 8/7/2025 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Exam: Toms River, Thursday, 8/7/2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm

Exam: Toms River, Thursday, 8/7/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Class: Keyport, Saturday, 8/9/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Exam: Keyport, Saturday, 8/9/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Exam: Toms River, Saturday, 8/9/2025 08:00am to 10:00am

Exam: Waretown, Saturday, 8/9/2025 08:00am to 09:00am

Class: Mount Laurel, Sunday, 8/10/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Class: Ocean City, Sunday, 8/10/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Class: Parsippany, Sunday, 8/10/2025 09:00am to 5:30pm

Exam: Mount Laurel, Sunday, 8/10/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Exam: Ocean City, Sunday, 8/10/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Exam: Parsippany, Sunday, 8/10/2025 08:00am to 09:00am

Exam: Parsippany, Sunday, 8/10/2025 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Class: Atlantic Highlands, Tuesday & Thursday, 8/12/2025 & 8/14/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Class: Point Pleasant Beach, Tuesday & Thursday, 8/12/2025 & 8/14/2025 6:00pm to 9:30pm

Class: Red Bank, Tuesday, 8/12/2025 07:30am to 4:00pm

Exam: Bayville, Thursday, 8/14/2025 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Exam: Atlantic Highlands, Thursday, 8/14/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Exam: Point Pleasant Beach, Thursday, 8/14/2025 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Class: Mahwah, Saturday, 8/16/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Class: Mount Laurel, Saturday, 8/16/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Class: Toms River, Saturday, 8/16/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Exam: Mahwah, Saturday, 8/16/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Exam: Mount Laurel, Saturday, 8/16/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Exam: Toms River, Saturday, 8/16/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Exam: Waretown, Saturday, 8/16/2025 08:00am to 09:00am

Class: Woodbridge, Sunday, 8/17/2025 08:00am to 4:30pm

Exam: Woodbridge, Sunday, 8/17/2025 3:00pm to 4:30pm