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Hunter education requirements by state

Pick your state. You get what the page shows for this credential and the date we read it.

State Cert Guide

Last checked Nov 13, 2026

How we check

Verified states

Verified so far: 5 of 51 states

Hunter education: rules by state
StateWhat the state saysLast checked
ArkansasYes, if you were born after 1968. But if you are 16 or older, a free deferred code can take the place of the course. The code has rules, listed below. Kids under 16 may hunt first if a licensed hunter at least 21 years old directly supervises them. Or take the course: a free class with an instructor, or an online course for a fee.
MissouriYes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1967, and you will hunt in a firearms season or act as an adult mentor, unless an exception fits you. Kids 15 or younger can skip it if they hunt with a properly permitted adult mentor 18 or older. So can owners who hunt their own land with Resident Landowner permits. Born earlier? You don't need it.
New YorkYes, if you are a first-time hunter. New York law lets a license issuer sell you a hunting license only if you show a past hunting license, an affidavit of one, or a hunter education certificate. DEC says you can earn the certificate in person or online.
OregonIf you are a new hunter age 17 or younger, yes, unless you hunt on land owned by a parent or legal guardian or take part in the Mentored Youth Hunter Program. The conventional classroom course costs $10. The online route adds an in-person field day for youth.
VirginiaYes, if you are 12 to 15, or a first-time hunter 12 or older. A new hunter can buy an apprentice license first. You then have two years to take the course. You hunt with an adult who carries a valid Virginia hunting license and supervises you directly. Hunters under 12 don't need it.

Coverage by state

  • Verified, opens its page
  • No page yet
  • AL Alabama, no page yet
  • AK Alaska, no page yet
  • AZ Arizona, no page yet
  • AR Arkansas, verified
  • CA California, no page yet
  • CO Colorado, no page yet
  • CT Connecticut, no page yet
  • DE Delaware, no page yet
  • DC District of Columbia, no page yet
  • FL Florida, no page yet
  • GA Georgia, no page yet
  • HI Hawaii, no page yet
  • ID Idaho, no page yet
  • IL Illinois, no page yet
  • IN Indiana, no page yet
  • IA Iowa, no page yet
  • KS Kansas, no page yet
  • KY Kentucky, no page yet
  • LA Louisiana, no page yet
  • ME Maine, no page yet
  • MD Maryland, no page yet
  • MA Massachusetts, no page yet
  • MI Michigan, no page yet
  • MN Minnesota, no page yet
  • MS Mississippi, no page yet
  • MO Missouri, verified
  • MT Montana, no page yet
  • NE Nebraska, no page yet
  • NV Nevada, no page yet
  • NH New Hampshire, no page yet
  • NJ New Jersey, no page yet
  • NM New Mexico, no page yet
  • NY New York, verified
  • NC North Carolina, no page yet
  • ND North Dakota, no page yet
  • OH Ohio, no page yet
  • OK Oklahoma, no page yet
  • OR Oregon, verified
  • PA Pennsylvania, no page yet
  • RI Rhode Island, no page yet
  • SC South Carolina, no page yet
  • SD South Dakota, no page yet
  • TN Tennessee, no page yet
  • TX Texas, no page yet
  • UT Utah, no page yet
  • VT Vermont, no page yet
  • VA Virginia, verified
  • WA Washington, no page yet
  • WV West Virginia, no page yet
  • WI Wisconsin, no page yet
  • WY Wyoming, no page yet

States without a page yet

We don't have a page for these states yet:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Want a page for your state sooner? Email corrections@statecertguide.com and tell us which one.