Basic Hunter Ed Course

This course is designed for novice or young hunters, ages 9 years and above. The course covers the core competencies of firearm and hunting safety, hunting ethics and wildlife conservation. All materials are provided and subjects are covered to enable the student to successfully complete the Hunter Education certification process.

The Basic Hunter Education Course lasts a minimum of 6 hours of classroom instruction. This time does not include registration, breaks, test administration and certification card distribution. Courses are offered across the state year round and are taught by certified volunteer instructors. The fee for the certification is $15. Some instructors may apply additional charges for the class, such as range or facility fees.

Pre-registration is required. Check with the instructor for directions and any special instructions prior to going to class.

Both Classroom and Field Day* courses are listed in the following schedule. Be sure to verify with the instructor that the class you are registering for is the Basic Course.
*Note: the Field Day option requires completion of the FREE Online Course prior attending the Field Day.

Find a Hunter Education Class

You may also contact your local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department office or call TPWD Austin headquarters at 1-800-792-1112, ext. 4999.

When you arrive at the course:

Pay the $15 fee to the instructor.
Attend the entire course.
Take the written exam and get at least 75% correct to pass.
Upon successful completion, you will receive a confirmation text and or email with the link to access your permanent Hunter Safety Certificate. From there you may print out your certificate or screen save it to your phone. Physical copies are no longer available, but you may link it to your Hunting License or The Outdoor Annual App. You may legally hunt with a valid Texas hunting license and your Hunter Safety Certification Card.
Access permanent card