Hunter Education Courses

Before you begin:

Course options

The following three options are based on age, so choose which works best for you or your student. Minimum age for certification is 9 years of age (See FAQs)

1. Instructor-led courses

For under age 17. Also for parents or adults seeking instructor-led courses.

Instructor-led option 1: Classroom course

Description: 6 hours of basic instruction. Some courses may extend to cover added topics.

See Education Registration System to register for a classroom course. 

Instructor-led option 2: Online + field course

Description: *FREE* ONLINE COURSE plus 4-hour minimum "FIELD DAY," including live-fire and "hunter skills" trail. Find and register for your field course before completing your *FREE* online course.

See Online + Field Course for additional instructions.

2. Online-only courses

Must be 17 years of age or older to register. Register for any online vendor option approved in Texas.

3. One-time, one-year Hunter Education deferral

Cost: $10. Allows hunters ages 17 or older to defer completion of their mandatory hunter education for up to one year, as long as the person is accompanied by a hunter who has completed hunter education or is exempt (born prior to September 2, 1971). Deferrals may only be obtained only once and are valid until the end of the license year purchased. Hunters who have been convicted of or received deferred adjudication for violating the mandatory hunter education requirement may not apply for a deferral. Deferrals can be purchased from any vendor where hunting licenses are sold.

Information for other states