New Jersey Boating License
vs. New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate
Don't these two terms mean the same thing?
No and yes. Many boaters use the term "New Jersey Boating License" when referring to their New Jersey Boating Safety
Certificate. However, the Boat Safety Certificate is NOT a boating license. See below for clarification between
the New Jersey Boat License and the New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate.
Why is "Boating License" used so often if it is wrong?
Most boaters are familiar with a Driver's License and it is natural for them to extend this concept onto the Boating
Safety Certificate (and incorrectly refer to it as an New Jersey Boating License). This is misleading and we are all
therefore encouraged to correct our fellow boaters when they make this common mistake.
Question: Do I need a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate?
Yes, if you are operating a personal watercraft (Jet Ski, Wave Runner, etc.) on the waters of the State of New Jersey
you are required to possess a New Jersey boat safety certificate. As of June 1, 2009, the New Jersey State Police Marine
Services Bureau has implemented a mandatory boater education requirement which requires all power vessel operators,
regardless of date of birth, to possess a Boating Safety Certificate on board when the vessel is underway.
Exemptions:
a boat safety certificate is not required for non-powered vessels.
Question: Do I need a New Jersey Boat License?
A boat license 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 may 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. Persons must bring their NJ Boat Safety Certificate with them to apply for a boat license if they
are required to possess a certificate for vessel operation.
Click to view Non-Tidal Boat Operator License Requirements (PDF - 23k)
Exemptions:
A boat license is not required for non-powered vessels.
Persons operating vessels less than 1 HP, vessels powered by 12 volt electric trolling motors or vessels 12' or longer with less than 10 total HP are exempt from the license requirement.
Out-of-state residents with written proof of the successful completion of a boat safety course are exempt from the boat license requirement.