Boating Safety Certification

WHO NEEDS TO BE CERTIFIED:

You were born after January 1, 1986
You will be operating a personal watercraft (jet ski), regardless of age and regardless of residency

Non-residents operating a vessel (other than a personal watercraft-see above), you must meet the requirements of your home state to operate in Rhode Island waters. For questions, contact DEM/Environmental Police at 401-222-3070.

Mandatory Boating Safety Education: Information About the Law
Lost your card? Request a Boating Card Replacement

HOW TO GET CERTIFIED

There are two methods for certification:

Attend Classroom Course (1-Step Process)
You can take a classroom course offered by our state-approved course providers. All courses must be a minimum of 8 hours and state and NASBLA approved. The RI Boating Safety Challenge Exam is administered at the end of class.
Please see links below to our state-approved classroom course providers.

In-Command Seamanship Training

USCG Auxiliary - RI

USCG Auxiliary - RI/MA/ME/NH

U.S. Sailing-Basic Powerboat Safety Courses

Boatwise, LLC

US Power Squadron

RI Boating Courses with Freedom Boat Club

Intrepid Mariner Training Services

SSV Oliver Hazard Perry Programming
Study On Your Own (2-Step Process)
Step 1: Study

You can take an online study course (links below). There are two approved online state-approved courses. You can also request written study materials by contacting [email protected] or 401-222-3070 with your name and home mailing address.
https://www.boat-ed.com/rhodeisland/

https://www.ilearntoboat.com/rhodeisland/

To receive certification via our online study course, you must complete the state-approved course by Boat-Ed. Once you have completed the course, you must pass a proctored exam. Information on this exam is provided below.
Step 2: Pass In-Person Boating Safety Challenge Exam

Boating Safety Challenge Exam

There is no fee for this exam and no age limit, however, this test deals with material that may be complex for younger children. We highly recommend taking the full boating safety course to ensure you and your family understand the material required to operate and navigate vessels on the water safely.

Please bring photo identification. A parent must be present for a child under the driving age without identification. Answer sheets will be provided for you at the exam site.

Tests will not be graded on site. You can expect to receive your results via mail in within 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you need to pass the exam?

You must score seventy percent (70%) or higher to get a certificate.

If I took a RI approved boating course in the past, but lost my boating safety certificate, what should I do?

Fill out the boating card replacement request form. If DEM is unable to locate a record, you will need to contact the original course provider for proof of completion. If one cannot be located, you will need to retake the exam.

If I own a boat with a small electric trolling motor less than 10hp, do I need a boating safety certificate?

No, if your boat is not equipped with a motor greater than 10hp you do not need a boating safety certificate to operate.

If I live in another state, do I need a boating certificate to operate my boat (other than a personal watercraft) on Rhode Island waters?

If you live in another state and operate your vessel on Rhode Island waters for more than ninety days in a calendar year, you will need the boating certificate. If you operate in Rhode Island waters less than 90 days, you only need to meet the requirements of your state to operate in Rhode Island, except all operators of personal watercraft (jet skis) need a RI boating safety certificate.

If I have a valid commercial vessel operators license issued by the US Coast Guard do I need a boating certificate?

Any person who holds a valid commercial vessel operator’s license issued by the United States Cost Guard, a state, or a province does not need a boating safety certificate. A copy of the license should be kept on your person.

If my child is twelve years old and wants to operate the family boat (other than a personal watercraft), does he/she need a boating certificate?

Yes, your child needs a boating certificate to operate the vessel alone. A child may operate a vessel without a boating safety certificate if they are supervised by a person 18 years of age or older who has met the education requirements.

If I have a valid U.S. Coast Guard Operating License, do I need a boating certificate to operate my boat (other than a personal watercraft)?

If you have a current master, mate, or pilot license issued through the U.S. Coast Guard, you do not need the Rhode Island boating safety certificate to operate your boat. You must keep the valid license with you at all times.

What type of certificate do I need to operate a personal watercraft (PWC)?

You need to have a Rhode Island boating safety certificate. A valid Coast Guard license or out-of-state boating license does not qualify you to operate a personal watercraft in Rhode Island Waters.

If my child is under 16, can he/she operate a personal watercraft if he/she has a boating safety certificate?

Yes.

Do I need to have a Boating Safety Certificate to register a boat?

No, the boating safety certificate is only required to operate a Rhode Island registered boat.

Do surfers or paddleboarders need to wear a PFD?

Paddleboards and surfboards inside the surf zone are not considered vessels by the USCG and do not need to adhere to vessel PFD requirements. However, once surfers and paddleboarders are out of the surf zone, they must wear a PFD while underway.

Boating Resources

RI Boating Accident Report Form

A boating accident report must be filled out by the owner/operator of any vessel that meets the following criteria:

Loss of life or disappearance from a vessel.
Injury to any person that requires medical treatment beyond ordinary first aid.
Property damage in excess of $2,000.
Complete loss of a vessel.

Reportable accidents must be submitted within five (5) days after the incident on forms provided by the department. Accidents must be reported to the State Authorities where the accident occurred. If more than one vessel is involved, the owner/operator of all vessels must fill out and file a boating accident report.

Submit A Boating Accident Report

Boating Safety & General Information

Marine Sanitation Device Pumpout Facility Location Map PDF file, about 2

Preventing Boat Engine Pollution PDF file, less than 1

Stop Invasive Species Boat Ramp Sign PDF file, less than 1

Safe Harbor Policy PDF file, less than 1

Boating Safety Coloring Book for Kids PDF file, less than 1

Boating Related Boards & Commissions

Boating Instructor Resources

Boat RI Course on Responsible Boating PDF file, about 29

Boat RI Course on Responsible Boating Powerpoint file, about 50

RI Specific Boating Statutes & Regulations PDF file, about 3

RI Specific Boating Statutes & Regulations Powerpoint file, about 6

Boating Under the Influence Video

Cold Water Survivors Video

Boating Safety Videos

Engine Cutoff Switch Law

Operation Dry Water: Never BUI

Cold Water Survival

Wear It | Gear Up for Adventure

Wearing a life jacket while paddling in Rhode Island is no longer optional

The “mandatory personal flotation device (PDF) wear for all paddle craft” rule is one of five new safety regulations written to save lives. Violations could result in the imposition of a $100 ticket. The PFD regulation states that all operators and passengers of canoes, kayaks, sailboards, kiteboards, paddleboards, and any other paddle craft must always wear a United States Coast Guard (USCG)-approved PFD while underway regardless of age.

Another new regulation that could prevent injuries and save lives is a restriction prohibiting anyone from riding on the bow of a powerboat unless it’s equipped with bow seats designed to accommodate passengers or from hanging their feet and legs over the top of the gunwale anywhere on the boat while underway. Another new rule requires boaters to slow down and move over when emergency vessels — such as Coast Guard, firefighting, harbormaster, and DEM boats – are within 300 feet of the boater and have their emergency lights activated. A fourth regulation requires all fire extinguishers on boats to abide by their age expiration date. Typically, the date of manufacture is printed on the bottom of the fire extinguisher. The last new reg relates to engine cut-off switch compliance. Specifically, the captain of a recreational boat that’s 26 feet long or less that’s equipped with an engine cut-off switch must use the switch if the boat is “on plane or above displacement speed.” Displacement speed is the speed at which the wavelength of a vessel’s bow wave is equal to the waterline length of a vessel. As boat speed increases, the wavelength of the bow wave also increases.

Rhode Island boat registrations and renewals are moving to a new online system.

Please take a few minutes to create an account in our new system so you can save time when your renewal becomes due. Get started today!

dem.ri.gov/boating

Slow down for marine life!

Marine species found in Rhode Island waters include sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, and even whales. Slowing down and giving marine wildlife space helps reduce the chances of collisions.

Learn more

Marine Mammal Response

Contact the Boating Office

235 Promenade St.
Providence, RI 02908

Office Hours: 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Phone: (401) 222-6647 (Boating)
Phone: (401) 222-3576 (Licenses)
Fax: 401-222-1181

Contact Law Enforcement

Dean Hoxsie, Chief
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908-5767
Phone: (401) 222-2284
Fax: (401) 222-6823
Report Violations: 401-222-3070
Public Information Requests: 401-222-2284
RI Environmental Police Public Feedback Form: Submit Online or Download PDF