Is a NJ Boat Safety Certificate the same thing as a Boat License?

In a word, NO, they are two different documents.

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: electric trolling motors, in board motors, out board motors, even Sail boats - if you have a motor attached to it.

If you are boating on any body of water WITH a tide, such as the ocean or a bay, you only need the Boat Safety Certificate

How do you get a NJSP Boat Safety Certificate?

Attend a NJSP approved boat safety class, pass the proctored exam and receive your Boat Safety Certificate!

As per the NJSP, your class options are:

One Day Boat Safety Course: An approved one-day boat safety course must be at least 8 hours in length. It must consist of in-person, formal instruction provided by an approved boating safety instructor, and must culminate with a closed book, in-person, proctored exam. The time required to complete the exam is included within the 8 hour time requirement. No more than 1 ten minute break is permitted per hour. Meal breaks, etc. are not included within the 8 hour course.
Two Evening Boat Safety Course: An approved multiple day boat safety course must consist of at least 6 hours of in-person, formal instruction provided by an approved boating safety instructor. The course must culminate with a closed book, in-person, proctored exam, administered by an approved boating safety instructor. Written homework must be assigned as necessary, so that the total course time (6 or more hours of in-person instruction + test + written homework) equals at least 8 hours. The time required to complete the exam and homework is not counted within the 6 hours of in-person instruction. No more than 1 ten minute break is permitted per hour. Meal breaks, etc. are not included within the 6 hours of in-person instruction.

Do I need a Boating License?

Maybe! This is for NJ Residents on NON-Tidal waters only.

If you are boating on non-tidal waters, like lakes or reservoirs, you will also need a 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 your Driver's License 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.

But I'm not a NJ Resident, can I still operate my boat in NJ?

Yes! You will still need a boat safety certificate - proof that you took and passed a boating safety course. As a non-resident, this is the only thing you need, whether the water is tidal or non-tidal.

So, you would need one of the following: a Boat Safety Certificate issued in your home State, a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate, United States Coast Guard Captain's License, or written proof of completion of a safety course approved by N.A.S.B.L.A. or one substantially similar to a New Jersey Course.

For more information and for Boating Safety classes 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).

Upcoming classes:

July 21 (Saturday) (1 Day):

Liberty Safes of NJ at Bordentown, 69 US Highway 130 N, Bordentown, NJ 08505

Keyport Matawan Elks, 249 Broadway, Keyport, NJ 07735

Emergency Services Training Academy, 402 Roycefield Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08876

Toms River Elks, 600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

July 22 (Sunday) (1 Day):

Clifton VFW, 491 Valley Road, Clifton, NJ 07013

Magnolia American Legion, 430 N. Warwick Road, Magnolia, NJ 08049

South Plainfield American Legion, 243 Oak Tree Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

July 23 (Monday) & July 25 (Wednesday) (2 Nights) 6:00pm-9:30pm:

Leonardo American Legion, 860 State Route 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737

Toms River Elks, 600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

July 24 (Tuesday) & July 26 (Thursday) (2 Nights) 6:00pm-9:30pm:

Mantua VFW Post 7679, 8 New York Ave, Mantua, NJ 08051

Point Pleasant VFW, 603 Saint Louis Avenue, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742

Washington Borough Fire House, 100 Belvidere Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882

July 28 (Saturday) (1 Day):

Osbornville Baptist Church, 366 Drum Point Road, Brick, NJ 08723

Lambertville American Legion, 322 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ 08530

South River American Legion, 264 Whitehead Ave, South River, NJ 08882

July 29 (Sunday) (1 Day):

Hampton Fire Company, 1 Wells Avenue, Hampton, NJ 08827

Morris County PSTA, 500 West Hanover Ave, Parsippany, NJ 07054

Salem VFW Post 253, 20 Philips Drive, Salem, NJ 08079

Visit us at www.BoatSafeUS.com to reserve your spot today.