Sadly, you must have a 'boating safety course' certificate now in most states ... a 'revenue opportunity'. Usually ones 'home state' cert. has reciprocity to other states ... but some wont (didnt buy that may have changed) acknowledge a USCG license.

Early on when NJ first implemented this the DNR thugs were reportedly boarding ocean going commercials and fining the pilots/captains if they didnt have the 'boaters certs' when in NJ waters. Manasquan and Brigantine Inlets were nortorious 'certificate traps'/revenue traps for those without such 'certifications'.

Its quite easy to get such 'certs' online in many states ... and most 'rules' are that it really doesnt matter from which state you got your 'cert' ... typically 90% of the content of these courses are applicable for operating a PWC. Obviously this was to curtail the carnage associated with PWC drivers, but as only state bureaucrats can do when smelling an additional revenue source now apply it ALL boaters. NJ was the most notorious in 'execution' of these laws but seemingly now rarely enforce such along the NJ coast inlets, etc. When this was first was enacted in NJ, a 'thug' tried to stop and board me during a 'hairy' inlet pass ... wanted me to stop and verify AT the 'bar' in heavy following seas and outgoing tide ... and got 'real' pissed and became more than absolute-arrogant because I refused.