Boating Laws & License Requirements by State

Passing a boating safety course will give you a discount on boat insurance and will increase your water safety skills. Boat safety courses are an excellent investment of time and money, regardless of your state's boating law. Each state has unique boating education requirements, and the boating rules, laws and regulations vary from state to state for obtaining a boat license or safety certification. Be sure to review the full legal requirements for your particular state.

	New York
	New York State Parks, Recreation & Historic Restoration
	Yes, state has mandatory boater education law that applies to some operators of boats and/or personal watercraft. Personal Water Craft - - all operators, regardless of age, must successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a personal water craft.   Motorboats - - new law effective May 1st, 2014: all individuals born on or after 5/1/96 are now required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat.
	View the official New York boating web site here.

States with mandatory boating law require safety certification for some or all boaters. Only one state (Alabama) requires an actual boat license. However, many prospective students are not aware of state legal terminology, and search for information about a boat license or licence, or a captain or captains license. This page is an excellent resource for boating law for all fifty states.