NH Safe Boater Education Certificate, no more proctored exams?

[Rich]

I thought I saw this mentioned elsewhere, but I wasn't sure I read it correctly as it was a source that I hadn't recognized at the time.

Here's a link to 2025 SB40 showing the changes:

https://bills.nhliberty.org/bills/2025/SB40

This shows as signed by the Govenor on July 22, 2025 and it seems to be effective as of January 1, 2026.

So it appears that starting in 2026, there is no longer a need to take a proctored exam to earn the NH Safe Boating Education Certificate and that you can simply take an online exam if you are at least 18 years of age?

This is similar to some other states (I'm not sure about the age requirement).

It also seems that the proctored exam is still available for those under 18 or for those that choose it.

Here's the current law (which still seems to be the original without the SB40 changes made as of the date of this post):

https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXII/270-D/270-D-13.htm

I hadn't seen much mentioned about this change on the various online boating forums. If it was discussed here, perhaps I missed it? (yes, I did attempt to search for it)

[TheTimeTraveler]

Isn't January of 2026 also the same date that New Hampshire vehicle annual safety inspections for automobiles no longer required ?

Things are a changing........

[Descant]

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Isn't January of 2026 also the same date that New Hampshire vehicle annual safety inspections for automobiles no longer required ?

Things are a changing........

Many many laws are made effective January 1, in part becuase it takes time to publicize, print new advisory and educational materials, etc. The date connection of proctored exams and inspectiomns only puts trhose two items in a bucket with other changes. Proctored exams were started some years ago when it was seen that many were taking online exams as a group or some other assistance. It was discontinued when Covid was an issue. Now, we're just aligning NH more closely witrh 36 other NASBLA states. By this time, all these staes have pretty much educated everybody except young people as they reach 16. A pretty inocuous bill for most boaters, and no relation to car inspections.

[tis]

Honestly I don't see how much good the Safety Certificates have done anyway. Maybe they're educated and just don't care about following the rules or didn't learn in the first place? Enforcement needs to follow, even just to remind people then they will remember. I don't know if the officers even know what a wake is or what 25,50,150 feet are in a no rafting zone.

[ApS]

NOT the first instance, I saw a ten year-old operating a Jet-Ski just yesterday.

About ten years ago, I posted here of another Jet-Skier (maybe 11 years-old).

About the same time, a 15 year-old Jet-Skier from MA was found dead just a quarter-mile from here (in sight, had I been looking). It was in the vicinity of heavy steel I-beams welded together to provide ice breaking for community docks. (Not far from the Hackercraft Hit-and-Run--also in sight).

Earlier I noticed another Jet-Skiing ADULT with a diapered baby in his lap. Later, the MPs cautioned that they shouldn't be operating after sunset. An hour later--continuing in violation--i saw the same Jet-Ski being towed away by the MP.

When I'd notified the MPs about a loose yellow canoe, I was surprised when the responding MP patrol boat called me!


Minutes later, he advised that he couldn’t locate it, and where had I last seen it. The MP boat did a long tour of Winter Harbor with no luck. He called back again and thanked me for trying. I informed him that since being taken over by the NH State Police, my frequent calls (noise and speed mostly--with an MP patrol boat within easy sight) weren't welcome, and was advised by the dispatcher, "Not to call back again."

[tis]

Originally Posted by ApS

I informed him that since being taken over by the NH State Police, my frequent calls (noise and speed mostly--with an MP patrol boat within easy sight) weren't welcome, and was advised by the dispatcher, "Not to call back again."

I agree with you. I called once and the lady knew nothing about the lake. I have no idea where she was! And when I did talk to an officer I was told they have more important thing to do and places to be. So I haven't bothered since. And I think I have only called MP 2 or 3 times ever, it's not like I am a frequent caller.

[WinnisquamZ]

Absolutely same experience here. And I will add I have yet to see MP on Winnisquam this season. Can’t even say if the blowup boat has left its River dock


Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[LIforrelaxin]

For both the safety inspection, and the boating certificate I think what you will find is now after enough time and research it has been shown that The initiatives didn't really changes things in the long run...... except that they added cost to administer across the board.....

With that said, I hope that NH doesn't take the tactic that I am seeing down here in Texas with inspections..... The did away with the safety inspection, but so as to not loose revenue they added a fee for "road safety" to the cost of registration.....

[John Mercier]

The registration fee did increase to offset revenue to the State.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The registration fee did increase to offset revenue to the State.

I figured it might be something that the politicians discussed at a high level so they could all pull the same maneuver....