Bergen County! Time to prepare for the upcoming season on the water!

Whether you operate a boat, a personal watercraft, or have any vessel that has a motor, make sure you have your necessary paperwork!

It’s frustrating for a boater to sit idly through the winter months in anticipation of warmer weather. Now is the time to get ready for the next boating season!

Get your NJ Boat Safety Certificate:

Take a class: If you haven't already, take that boat safety certification course - go to www.BoatSafeUS.com and register for a class. We will cover all the information the NJSP wants you to know, administer the proctored exam, and you will leave with a temporary certificate upon passing the exam.

Take an online course and join us for the required proctored exam. Acceptable online course providers are www.AceBoater.com, www.BoaterExam.com and www.Boat-Ed.com. You will be given a certificate of completion and you will need that in order to take the final exam and earn your NJ boat Safety Certificate.

Get your NJ Non-Tidal Boat License:

This is another requirement if you are operating your vessel on NON-tidal waters (i.e. lakes, reservoirs). The sooner you take and pass the course; it will give you time to head to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)/DMV) in case you need a non-tidal boat license.

Get your non-tidal boat license by taking your NJ boat safety certificate and your NJ driver’s license to the NJ Division of Motor Vehicles. They ask for a small fee, and they will put the BOAT endorsement on your driver’s license.

Get NASBLA Certified:

Are you planning on being on the water in other states? NY, PA, FL? You can use your NJ boat safety certificate, but you must be NASBLA certified. NASBLA is the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Not all class providers are NASBLA certified, but Boat Safe US is! Your NJ certificate card will include the NASBLA endorsements.

Bergen County Training Institute

281 Campgaw Rd

Mahwah, NJ 07430 Bergen County

Class: Saturday, 4/26/2025, 08:00am to 4:30pm

Exam: Saturday, 4/26/2025, 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Class: Saturday, 5/10/2025, 08:00am to 4:30pm

Exam: Saturday, 5/10/2025, 3:00pm to 4:30pm

Class: Monday & Wednesday, 5/19/2025 & 5/21/2025, 6:30pm to 10:00pm

Exam: Wednesday, 5/21/2025, 8:30pm to 10:00pm

Bottom Line:

If you are operating a personal watercraft (Jet Ski, Wave Runner, Sea-Doo, etc.), or a power vessel/boat on the waters in New Jersey, you are required to possess a New Jersey boat safety certificate. The online course and proctored exam meet the State of New Jersey - Division of State Police Marine Law Enforcement requirements for boat safety education. All Boat Safe US Courses are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Find a Boat safety class or exam: www.BoatSafeUS.com

Online course providers: www.AceBoater.com, www.BoaterExam.com and www.Boat-Ed.com

NJ MVC for Non-Tidal License: www.nj.gov/mvc/vehicles/boating.htm

NASBLA: www.nasbla.org