A lot of folks (including myself until I looked it up) misunderstood the requirements of Brianna's Law, but the biggest takeaway is:

• If you are RENTING a boat, you do NOT need a Boating Safety Certificate.
• If you OWN your boat, you DO need a Boating Safety Certificate.
• This applies REGARDLESS of your state or nation of residence.

This isn't a new requirement; it's been phased in by age of the boat operator (youngest first) since 2020. Also it's not strictly speaking a "license"; you don't need to get something specifically issued by the state of New York. This means if you already have a Safety Certificate from someplace like the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Power Squadron, or even another state, you should be fine. Check that the NASBLA logo appears on your certificate, and carry proof of completion with you when you're on the water.

If you do need a Safety Certificate, you can find an online or in-person class here.

Please don't take my word for it; I'm not a maritime lawyer. See the NYS Boating FAQ for more information. Stay safe!