Hunter Education Requirements for the U.S. / State

While we have made every effort to provide you with the most accurate information possible, it is important that you reach out to your local state authorities to ensure that you are in compliance with the regulations.

Beasafehunter cannot be held liable for any consequences that may arise from your reliance on this information. It is always recommended to check with your state before engaging in any hunting activities.

Alabama 

Individuals born on or prior to August 1, 1977 must provide evidence of completing a hunter education course before they can purchase a hunting license. However, this requirement does not apply to state residents who are currently serving in the United States military, the National Guard, or are employed as law enforcement officers.

Instead of passing the hunter education course, hunters can buy a “Supervision Required” license if they hunt with a mentor 21-years or older, and who buys a hunting license after completing the Hunters Education course. Holders of “Supervision Required” licenses must stay within hearing distance of their mentor (30-feet or less).

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Alaska

Requirements for hunters before hunting in Units 7, 13, 14, 15, and 20:

If you were born after January 1, 1986 and are 18 years old or older, you must have successfully completed a hunter education course before you hunt in the units listed above.

If you are under 18 years of age, you must have:

• successfully completed a hunter education course —OR—

• hunt under the direct immediate supervision of a licensed hunter who is:

  1. 18 years of age or older and has successfully completed a hunter education course OR

  2. born on or before January 1, 1986.

In addition, hunter education certification is required before anyone may legally hunt in the following areas in Alaska: the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge (14C), Eagle River Management Area (14C bears and small game), Palmer/Wasilla Management Area (14A shotgun for big game), Eklutna Lake Management Area (14C bears), and the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge (hunters under 10 years of age who are not certified can hunt as long as they are under the direct supervision of an adult).

Hunter education certification is required for all youth hunters participating in "Youth Hunts."

Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Arizona

Young people between the ages of 9 and 14 years-old must pass a hunter education class to hunt big game. The hunter certification card becomes valid once the hunter turns 10-years old, but courses are open to children at 9 years old.

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arkansas

Anyone born after, or on January 1, 1969 must carry an Arkansas Hunter Education certificate while hunting wildlife. People under the age of 16 do not have to carry a hunter education card if they hunt under the direct supervision of a legally licensed adult, over 21-years of age.

Hunters can apply for and receive a one-year Deferred Hunter Education (DHE) license once during their lifetime. People over the age of 16 and born after December 31, 1968 qualify for a DHE-coded license if they have no prior convictions for violating Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) codes. A legally licensed adult, 21 years or older, or a person born before December 31, 1968 must directly supervise hunters carrying a DHE-coded license.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

California

Regardless of age, all first time hunters must complete a hunter education class before buying a license.

Hunters from other states must have hunter education certification and a valid, legal hunting license from their resident state.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Colorado

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1949 must pass a hunter education course to qualify for a Colorado hunting or trapping license.

Colorado Department of Natural Resources

Connecticut

Anyone 10 years or older or anyone with proof of having a resident hunting license in the last 5 years, or certification from a Connecticut Hunter Education class may buy a firearms/bowhunter license.

Out-of-state bowhunters must have bowhunter specified on the hunting license issued by the resident state.

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Delaware

To buy a Delaware hunting license, all hunters born since Jan 1, 1967 must pass a Hunter Education class.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Florida

Hunters born on or after June 1, 1975 must pass a Hunter Education course to qualify for a hunting license.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Hunting Regulations 2023-2024

Georgia

Successful completion of a Hunter Education class is required for all resident and non-resident hunters born on or before January 1, 1961. Hunters between the ages of 12 – 15 must complete a Hunter Education course unless they have adult supervision.

Hunter education certification is not necessary to buy a one-day or seven-day hunting license. 

Hunters 10-16 years must complete a hunter education class to hunt on Park Services lands or National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs).

Hunter education certification is not needed to hunt on personal property or the property of a parent or guardian.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Hawaii

Hunters must pass a basic Hunter Education course to purchase a hunting license in Hawaii. Those with out-of-state Hunter Education cards and anyone issued a resident hunting license on or before July 1, 1990, can request a letter of exemption from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Department of Land and Natural Resources

Idaho

Anyone born on or after January 1, 1975 must complete a hunter education course before buying a hunting license.

Hunters who have previously held valid hunting licenses in Idaho or any other state do not have to complete a hunter education course.

Idaho Fish and Game

Illinois

Hunters born on or after January 1, 1980 must pass an approved Hunter education course before buying a hunting license.

Illinois honorably discharged Veterans can earn Hunter education certification by completing and passing the online portion of the class. Veterans do not have to attend the field day portion of the course to pass the course and receive certification.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Indiana

Any hunter born on or after December 31, 1986 must complete a Hunter education course before buying a hunting license.

Exceptions to this regulation include active duty military men and women currently based in Indiana. Farmland owners and their families who hunt small game on property they own. Non-resident hunters who own land in Indiana may carry a resident license stamped with the same game tags authorized by his or her resident state.

The hunter’s resident state must also allow non-resident hunters who own property in that state the same hunting rights as Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Iowa

Hunters 12-years old and older, born after January 1, 1972 must pass a Hunter education course before buying a hunting license.

Hunter education courses accept children 11-years old and older. Certification validates when the hunter turns 12-years old.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Kansas

To buy a hunting license in Kansas, anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must pass a certified Hunter education course.

Hunters under 12 must hunt under the direct supervision of an adult 18-years or older who carries a valid Hunter education card and hunting license. Hunters 12 – 16 years old must carry proof of completing a Hunter education course with them at all times while hunting. Hunters 12 – 27 years old must carry proof of passing a Hunter education course at all times while hunting alone.Reciprocity

Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks

Kentucky

Hunters born on or after January 1, 1975 must pass a Hunter education course and carry a valid course completion card, along with a valid Kentucky hunting license, with them at all times while hunting.

Those exempt from this rule include active military personnel, landowners and children under 12-years old who hunt under direct supervision of a legally licensed adult.

Resident and non-resident hunters may purchase a one-year hunter-education exemption license.

Bow hunters may carry a valid National Bowhunter education Program card if not in possession of a firearm.

Beginning in 2014, the state requires online preregistration for all Hunter education courses.

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources

Louisiana

Proof of successful completion of a Hunter education course is required before buying a license for anyone born on or after September 1, 1969.

People hunting under the direct supervision of a licensed hunter over the age of 18; who was born before September 1, 1969, and has proof of completing a Hunter education course may hunt without completing the course.

Active law enforcement officers, veterans and current members of the military do not have to take the Hunter education course to qualify for a hunting license.

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

Maine

Adults must show proof of having legally held a license to hunt for any year since 1976 or show proof of successful completion of a Hunter education class in Maine or another state.

Online Hunter education certificates do not qualify.

Bow hunters and crossbow hunters must show proof of having held a license in any year or state since 1979 or have successfully completed an Archery Education course.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

Maryland

Adults born on or after July 1, 1977 and junior licensees must have a Certificate of Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety. Hunters born before July 1, 1977 must show proof of holding a hunting license for any prior year.

Reciprocity

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Massachusetts

Completion of a Basic Hunter education course is mandatory for all hunters applying for their first hunting or (combined) sporting license.

Reciprocity

Department of Fish and Game

Michigan

Hunters planning an out-of-state hunting trip or first-time licensees born on or after January 1, 1960 must complete the Hunter education course before buying a hunting license.

People under the age of 10 may hunt using a mentored youth license and those over 10-years old can hunt using an Apprentice hunting license. The Apprentice hunting program allows young people to hunt for two-years using an Apprentice license before attending the Hunting Education course.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Minnesota

Hunters 12-years or older or born on or after December 31, 1979 must pass a Hunter education course before buying a hunting license for big game or small game.

Adults 18-years old and older may complete an online Hunter education course with the option to participate, or not, in the courses field day.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Mississippi

All hunters born on or after January 1, 1972 must pass a hunter education course to qualify for a hunting license.

Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks

Missouri

Any hunter born on or after January 1, 1967 or is 16 years old or older must complete a Hunter education certification course before buying a hunting license.

Exceptions to the certification course include:

• Hunters born before January 1, 1967

• Hunters 15 years or younger who hunt with a legally licensed adult 18 years and older who has proof of hunter education certification

• Hunters with a disability exemption issued by the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Protection Division

• A hunter 16 years or older who bought an Apprentice Hunter Authorization and a legally licensed adult 18 years or older and a permitted mentor will supervise the hunt

• Hunters who hunt on land they own or lease

Hunters with proof of completing a hunter education course in another state

Missouri Department of Conservation

Montana

Hunters 11 years old and older or born after Jan. 1, 1985 must pass a hunter education course to purchase a Montana hunting license. Hunters can show proof of hunter education certification from Montana, any other state or province of Canada.

Hunters born before January 1, 1985 do not have to take a hunter education class to buy a hunting license.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks

Nebraska

Hunters ages 12 – 29 must complete a hunter education course before buying a firearm hunting, crossbow or bow-hunting license. All firearm, crossbow and bow-hunters must carry proof of completing a hunter education course while hunting.

Hunters ages 12 – 29 must pass separate courses for firearm and bowhunting education certification and carry proof while bowhunting Mountain Sheep, Antelope, Deer, or Elk.

Hunters under 12-years old or hunters who have not completed a hunter education course for firearms or bowhunting can purchase a one-time Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption certificate. A legally licensed adult 19 years old or older who successfully completed a hunter education course must accompany hunters with the exemption certificate. Accompanied means staying within seeing and hearing distance of each other at all times.

Nebraska Department of Natural Resources

Nevada

Before buying a small game or big game hunting license, hunters born after January 1, 1960 must show proof of completing a hunter education course in Nevada or other state.

Hunters 12 years and older must carry a hunter education card and valid hunting license at all times while hunting. People 14 years and older with a valid hunting license, a hunter education card and permission from their parent or guardian may hunt alone.

Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

New Hampshire

Hunters must complete a Hunter Education course to buy a hunting, trapping or archery license. As of January 1, 2014, the Basic Hunter Education program and the Specialized Bowhunter Education program became one course called Hunter Education. Hunters get one certification card that works to purchase an archery-hunting license and a firearm-hunting license.

Hunters who completed Hunter Education before January 1, 2014 still must complete a separate bowhunter-only course before purchasing a license.

Hunters with proof they held the same type of hunting license in the past, do not have to take the Hunter Education Course.

The New Hampshire Traditional Hunter Education Course does qualify students to hunt in Massachusetts.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department

New Jersey

All hunters 10 years and over must pass the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Hunter Education course before getting a shotgun and rifle/muzzleloader hunting license.

The at-home program funded by the state and free to residents, allows hunters to complete the classwork at home and turn-in a workbook at a one-day field session.

Hunters 10 – 13 years must have supervision by a licensed adult 21 years or older.

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife

New Mexico

Hunters 18 years and older must pass a hunter education course in New Mexico or another state before applying for a hunting licensed. Hunters currently participating in the New Mexico Mentored-Youth Hunting Program do not have to take the hunter education

Trying to purchase or applying for firearms before completing a hunter education course is illegal.

New Mexico Department of Game & Fish

New York

All hunters, 12 years and older must present either a hunter education certificate or a previous hunting license to qualify for a hunting license. People between 11 -16 years must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian that allows them to use a firearm during the hunting education course.

New York Department of Environmental Conservation

North Carolina

Hunters 16 years or older or born on or after July 1, 2013, must have a hunter education certificate of competency, a North Carolina hunting heritage apprentice permit, or a hunting license issued before July 1, 2013 to buy a hunting license.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

North Dakota

All hunters born after 1961 must have a certificate of successful completion of a hunter education course before buying a hunting license.

Anyone born before 1961, hunters under 12 years who have permission and direct supervision by a licensed adult do not have to take a hunter education course before buying a license. Hunters who hunt on land they own and people who buy apprentice-hunting licenses do not need hunter education certification.

North Dakota Game and Fish

Ohio

All first-time hunters must complete a hunter education course or buy an apprentice license before buying a hunting license. Hunters with proof of certification or a license from the year before do not have to retake the hunter education course.

Hunters and trappers of all ages can take a hunter and trapper education course.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Oklahoma

Hunters 10 – 30 years old must have hunter education certification to buy a hunting license. People 31 years and older do not need hunter education certification.

Anyone 30 years and younger can buy an apprentice-designated hunting license, which requires an accompanying hunter. The accompanying hunter must have a valid hunting license, unless exempt, be 18 years or older and stay within arms-reach when hunting big game or within talking distance when hunting small game.

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

Oregon

Hunters 18 years and under must possess proof of completing a hunter education course except when hunting on personally owned property or that of parents.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Pennsylvania

To purchase a hunting license, hunters 11 years and older must complete an approved Hunter Education course or have proof of hunter education certification from another state or province.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Rhode Island

To purchase a hunting license you must have completed an approved Hunter Education course unless you present evidence of holding a prior years Rhode Island license.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

South Carolina

Hunters born on or after June 30, 1979 must complete a hunter education course before buying a hunting license.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 

South Dakota

Hunters 11 to 15 years must pass a hunter education course before buying a hunting license. Students get a Hunter’s Safety card on they turn 12 years old.

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks

Tennessee

All hunters born on or after Jan 1, 1969 must complete a hunter education class to qualify for a hunting license. Children 9 and older may take the free hunter education classes. When the child turns 10 years old, he or she will get a Hunter Education card.

All children 9 years and younger must have an adult 21 years or older supervise hunts and stay close enough to control the firearm at all times.

Adults born before January 1, 1969 can take the hunter education course and get Hunter Education Card. The card allows hunting in other states.

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency

Texas

All resident and non-resident hunters born on or after September 2, 1971 must complete a Hunter Education Course. Hunters 9-years or older can take the certification course.

A legally licensed or exempt adult who is 17-years old or older must accompany hunters:

• Under 9-years old

• Between the ages of 9-16 who have not passed a hunter education course

• 17 and older who have not passed a hunter education course or purchased a “Hunter Education Deferral”

The Texas Corp of Engineers, military posts, reservations and other federally owned lands can require every hunter carry a Hunter Education Card. Always check with the land-owner before hunting or risk fines and license suspension.

Texas Parks & Wildlife

Utah

People born on or after December 31, 1965 must pass the Utah Hunter Education course before qualifying for a hunting license.

In 2014, Utah’s Trial Hunting Program began. Any resident or non-resident 12 years and older can hunt for a few years before taking the Utah Hunter Education class. These hunters must have an adult 21 years or older supervise the hunts.

Hunters need to sign up for the program on the Utah Division of Wildlife website and will after finishing a short orientation and exam, get a trial hunting authorization number.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Vermont

Hunters must complete a hunter education course or show proof of completion in the past.

Before buying a hunting license, one of the following must be presented as proof of prior certification:

• Current of past hunting license from any state or Canadian province

• Certification or a written letter of completion of a hunter education course in any state or Canadian province

• Proof of hunter/firearms certification in the past

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

Virginia

All hunters born on or after January 1, 1975 must complete a hunter education course to qualify for a hunting license.

Anyone 15 years or older can attend a hunter safety course. Students over 18 can complete the online course for certification while those 15 – 17 years must complete the online course and attend a field day for testing.

Apprentice licenses for all hunters 15 and older allow hunting with an adult supervisor before completing the hunter education course.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

Washington

All hunters born on or after January 1, 1972 must complete a hunter education course to qualify for a hunting license.

Active military personnel do not have to have a field evaluation test after completing the online course. A Military Exemption Form and proof of service must be mailed to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife before a license is issued.

Washington Fish & Wildlife

West Virginia

All hunters born on or after January 1, 1975 must complete a hunter education course to qualify for a hunting license.

Anyone 15 years or older can attend a hunter safety course. Students over 18 can complete the online course for certification while those 15 – 17 years must complete the online course and attend a field day for testing.

Apprentice licenses for all hunters 15 and older allow hunting with an adult supervisor before completing the hunter education course.

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin

People born on or after January 1, 1973 must pass a hunter education course to qualify for a hunting license.

The following exceptions apply:

• Active military or any person with proof of completing basic training

• Hunters born before January 1, 1973

• Any hunter 10 years or older who participates in Mentored Hunting and is accompanied by a legally licensed and permitted adult who stays within arm’s reach of the firearm or weapon at all times

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wyoming

All hunters born on or after January 1, 1966 must complete a hunter education course to qualify for a hunting license.

Hunters who have not passed a hunter education course can hunt with a mentor. The mentor must have a legal license and permits along with certification of completing a hunter education course. The mentor must stay in arm’s length of the firearm at all times.