Boating Education FAQ's
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How Can I Get a New Mexico Boater Education Identification Card?
There are four authorized options for getting a Boater Education Identification Card.
1. Take the New Mexico Boating Basics Safety Course or other approved formal safety course by the New Mexico State Parks Boating Safety and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) such as the New Mexico Coast Guard Auxiliary America's Boating Course.
The Boating Basics Course is set at an eighth grade reading level with lots of new introduced terms. A 50 question written test is given at the end of the class and requires a grade of 80 (no more than 10 wrong) to pass.
ADA accommodations may be made in advance by calling 505-476-3390.
A total of 4 states prohibit the use of our Boater Education Identification Card. Those states are Utah and Connecticut for PWC operation and Mississippi and New York for general boating.
2. You may take any of the approved and certified New Mexico internet courses with a passing score of at least 80 or 85 percent depending on the provider on the self-administered on-line test.
Be sure to save a couple of copies of your score while waiting for your card. If you do not get a card in a timely manner send a copy of your score to the address below to the Boating Education Coordinator along with your Date of Birth and contact phone number and e-mail and we'll see about getting the problem resolved. Our internet providers are getting these systems out but sometimes their systems can have problems.
A total of 6 states prohibit the use of Internet testing in their state and will not accept an Internet course as proof of mandatory education. These states are:
Colorado
Connecticut
New Jersey
New York
Utah
Puerto Rico (requires a 24- hour proctored course)
3. You can take a New Mexico approved and certified proctored test (equivalency exam) with a passing score of at least 80 percent, taken at the end of any of our classroom courses held monthly throughout the state.
A Boating Basics Home Study booklet is available by e-mailing our office with a name and complete address. Tests in the Boating Basics Home Study booklet may no longer be used as an exam substitute.
4. You have a original certificate, card or other document issued by another state or country whose formal course requirements were accepted by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (List used for accepted formal state/country courses only).
It can be sent in by registered mail to our office at the address below with a money order made out to the State of New Mexico for $10 along with an ID, your Date of Birth, eye color and hair color. We will issue you a New Mexico Boater Education Card and return to you a copy of your original materials with 45 days or less.
New Mexico State Parks-Boating Education
1220 South St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
P.O. Box 1147
Santa Fe, NM 87504
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For more information, contact the New Mexico State Parks Boating Safety Program, Boating Education (505) 476-3390 or E-mail Us.
The free New Mexico approved NASBLA Boating Basic Course and the fee for materials only U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Course are both held monthly throughout the state.
To view those class schedules and register online, click here.
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My child is under 13 and I'd like to have them operate under my supervision. Do they have to have the Boater Education Card?
Yes, they fall under a set of regulations which require them to have the Boater Education Card.
New Mexico Administrative Code 18.17.4 NMAC
BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION
DEFINITIONS: "Operate” or “Operating” means to navigate or otherwise control a motorboat’s movement including control of the motorboat’s propulsion system.
New Mexico Administrative Code 18.17.2. NMAC
BOAT ACT REGULATIONS
11.8 AGE RESTRICTION: No person under the age of 13 shall operate a motorboat unless under the onboard supervision of an adult.
New Mexico Administrative Code 18.17.4 NMAC
BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION
18.17.4.8 BOATER EDUCATION CARD: A person born on or after January 1, 1989 who operates a motorboat on the state’s waters shall possess a division-issued boater education card and have it onboard the motorboat during its operation ....
So the "operator" or "operating" person is considered anyone navigating or otherwise in control of a motorboat's movement including control of the motorboat's propulsion system. This includes children under the age of 13 who are operating a motorboat or PWC under the direct supervision of an adult. Therefore, a person under the age of 13, even under supervision, (in the position on the vessel having their hands on the controls to operate or is operating), has to have the boater education card.
Taken from another view, it is never a good idea to have a child in front of you on a jet ski. If the PWC hits a wave badly in the front and the operator is ejected forward, there is a risk that the child will be crushed against the steering column, possibly crushing ribs and puncturing lungs.
If my child is under 13 and gets their Boater Education card can they operate the boat by themselves?
No, it is illegal for a child under the age of 13 to operate any motorboat (sailboat, powerboat, personal watercraft, or any paddle craft with an electric motor).
An operator who:
(1) possesses and has onboard the motorboat a valid marine operator license issued by the United States Coast Guard that covers the motorboat being operated;
(2) is legally operating a motorboat that is exempt from vessel registration requirements and applicable rules and is being used for law enforcement or official government business;
(3) is not a New Mexico resident and possesses and has onboard the motorboat a current boater education card or certificate issued by another state or country whose requirements meet NASBLA minimum standards;
(4) has purchased the motorboat within the prior 30 days, and possesses and has onboard the motorboat the bill of sale or motorboat registration that documents the purchase date; or
(5) is renting a motorboat for a period not exceeding 30 consecutive days, is an authorized operator of the rental motorboat and has reviewed and received the information listed in Subsection B of 18.17.4.13 NMAC from the rental agent.
How often do I have to take this course?
As long as you have taken one of our New Mexico approved and certified courses you will only have to take it once in your life.
Some of the notable exceptions are: as condition of a citable offense, the judge says you need to take it again; if you are convicted of boating under the influence, you will be ordered by the court to attend a boating safety course along with imprisonment, probation and fines; if you go to another state that requires their specific course or an additional course to operate a vessel (some require a separate or additional course for PWC operation). A ranger may also recommend you take a course while being warned of a minor infraction.
I am not a New Mexico Resident (just visiting) but I was born on or after January 1, 1989. Do I need a New Mexico Boater Education Identification Card?
If you are not a New Mexico Resident but you were born on or after January 1, 1989 you will still need either the New Mexico Boater Education Identification Card or possess and have onboard your current boater education card or certificate issued by another state or country whose requirements meet NASBLA minimum standards (List used for accepted formal state/country courses only).
Do I need a Boater Education Card if I have a windsurf board or sailboard (no cockpit, sit on board), or any paddle craft such as a canoe, kayak or raft?
Any person operating a windsurf board or sailboard (no cockpit, sit on board), or any paddle craft such as a canoe, kayak or raft that does not have a motor (electric or gas) or a sail does not have to have a Boater Education Card. However it is recommended that you get instruction view paddling and rafting safety videos and meet our required equipment requirements for your vessel.
How do I replace my lost, damaged, or stolen card?
If you would like to get the new boating safety education card from New Mexico because a card was lost, damaged, stolen or otherwise needs replacement you need to send a proof of completion of the course (or the card from the provider of your course), Date of Birth, Hair Color and Eye Color and a money order for $10 that is made out to the State of New Mexico and mailed to:
Officer Stephen Verchinski
Boating Safety Education Program Coordinator
New Mexico State Parks-
State Parks Office
1220 St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
How do I contact you for any other questions on boating?
Officer Stephen Verchinski
New Mexico State Parks Boating Education Program
Phone: 505-476-3390
Cell: 505-238-2398
Fax: 505-476-3361
stephen.verchinski@state.nm.us
I love boating. How can I share my skills?
- New Mexico State Parks is looking for enthusiastic boaters with an interest in teaching boating safety to become a registered boating safety instructor. State Parks provides nationally recognized instructor training for those interested in teaching the Boating Basics Classroom Course. In exchange for being a volunteer the parks provide benefits such as free camping and hookups at our state parks.
For information contact Officer Stephen Verchinski at 505-476-3390 or e-mail your interest.
- New Mexico Coast Guard Auxiliary is looking for enthusiastic boaters with or without a boat to join the local flotillas in New Mexico. You do not have to be former military to join.
8th District Coastal Region
- United States Power Squadron is looking at starting a New Mexico Squadron.
Whether you own a boat, rent a boat,
boat with friends,
or plan to purchase a boat,
safety is your responsibility.
Safe Boating is No Accident!
