How to Get Your 2025 Florida Hunter Education Course in 3 Easy Steps
Getting your hunter education certification in Florida is a crucial requirement before hunting! The state requires hunters to pass an educational course (like Hunter-ed), then complete the certification with an in-person or virtual field day.
Hunter education teaches valuable safety essentials, including wearing blaze orange for visibility, proper firearm handling, and understanding the hunting laws for the state. So, who needs hunter safety education?
The State of Florida requires all hunters born on or after June 1, 1975, who are 16 years or older to pass a hunter safety course.
So, if you're planning a hunt in 2025 (and looking ahead to 2026), keep reading to learn how to take your Florida hunter education course and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Florida?
All hunters 16 years or older and born on or after June 1, 1975, must complete a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education card in Florida.
You must have this certification to purchase a hunting license. The state offers four options to get certified.
1. Take a Hunter Education Course Online (with In-Person or Virtual Field Day)
Hunters can take the online course offered through Hunter-Ed for Florida. You can take the course at home at your convenience. After passing the course quizzes, you'll print a Field Day Voucher showing you have completed the course.
This voucher also allows you to sign up for the Field Day requirement to complete your certification. Choose a date and location near you (or a Virtual Field Day option), allowing plenty of time to complete the Field Day and get your hunting license before the hunting season begins.
The hybrid online/Field Day option is the most convenient way to meet the hunter education requirements set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC).
2. Previous Firearms Training and Online Course
Adult Florida residents can become certified through this option. If you've previously completed an approved firearms training, you can get your hunter education card by completing one of the approved online hunter courses (like Hunter-Ed).
You'll need to fill out an application verifying your firearms training.
3. Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education (FLVS)
High school students (grades 9-12) can complete their hunter safety certification while earning 0.5 credits for high school. The FLVS course is available free of charge to Florida students.
4. Take a Hunter Education Course In-Person (Traditional Course)
Hunters can take a face-to-face, instructor-led course covering the knowledge and skills needed to be a safe hunter in Florida. Choose a traditional course on the dates and at a location that's most convenient to you.
Courses usually take place over two full days. You must complete both days to meet the certification requirements.
Plan your timing wisely to sign up for an available course and complete it ahead of the hunting season, with plenty of time to get your hunting license before your hunt.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2025 Florida Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your Florida hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all hunters born on or after June 1, 1975, (or at least 16 years old) must complete a hunter education course before hunting in Florida.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that with our online course, approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC), plus an in-person or virtual Field Day. Hunters can also take a 2-day in-person course offered through the state. - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Choose from resident, non-resident, hunting and fishing combination, military, youth, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the GoOutdoorsFlorida website or from an approved license agent (e.g., Academy Sports + Outdoors stores, marinas, Wal-Mart stores, and other designated locations). - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Always carry your license when hunting. Additionally, if tags or permits are required for the animal you plan to hunt, don't forget those when you pack your gear and head out into the field.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the FL Hunter Education Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course, followed by the state's required Field Day!
Our course:
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and FFWCC.
- Can be taken from anywhere you can connect to the internet using a computer, tablet, or phone.
- Includes animations, videos, illustrations, games, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. You'll need to score at least 80% on the quizzes to pass.
- Saves your progress! You can work at your own pace, starting and stopping as needed to fit your schedule.
- Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the final exam.
- Is available in Spanish.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
Hunter-Ed delivers everything you need to meet Florida's requirements for hunter education classroom learning, plus a lifetime of ongoing support and educational opportunities to help you become a better hunter.
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and completing the required Field Day through the FFWCC, you'll receive your permanent hunter education certificate. It can take 2-3 weeks for this to arrive in the mail.
Your Hunter Education Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your card is an important document! Always carry it when you hunt as proof that you completed the hunter education course Florida requires. When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask you to show your hunting license and safety certification.
But don't worry if you lose your card. You can request a new one through the FWC website.
Step 3: Where to Get Your State of Florida Hunting License in 2025
Your Florida hunter safety course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Remember that you'll need a new hunting license every year. Last year's Florida hunting license isn't valid for the current or upcoming hunting seasons. Research carefully and purchase the correct license to hunt legally this season.
Buy Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This can be especially convenient if you don't live close to an in-person agent location or you plan to hunt in Florida as a resident of another state
Buy from a License Agent
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the state of Florida offers plenty of locations that offer hunting licenses.
Use the GoOutdoorsFlorida website to find a location near you. In general, many Wal-Mart stores, tax collector offices, Wal-Mart stores, and other locations offer hunting licenses in Florida.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Hunter education is a crucial part of responsible hunting (for new hunters and seasoned hunters). What you learn in one of these courses can save lives.
Hunter safety courses ensure that hunters understand and follow the law before getting a hunting license and planning a hunt. By teaching firearm safety and responsible behavior in the field, they help prevent accidents.
These courses also develop practical skills (from navigation and first aid to basic survival) and foster respect for landowners, fellow hunters, and wildlife. Most importantly, hunter education promotes ethical, sustainable hunting that helps conserve game populations for the future.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Some states offer reciprocity, meaning that a hunter safety certification from another state is accepted.
For example, taking a Texas hunter safety course could leave you without valuable information you need to hunt in Florida. State-specific information can include important rules and regulations that can be critical to hunting safely and legally in that state.
So, before you assume a course from another state prepares you for hunting in any state, take a few hours to complete the Hunter-Ed hunter safety course for Florida and get certified!
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
When you choose Hunter-Ed, you get more.
Not only do you get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers everything you need to know and meets your state's requirements, but you get access to Hunter Perks.
Hunter Perks is an exclusive, free offering from the team at Hunter-Ed. No other hunter education provider offers this kind of ongoing support for hunters!
As soon as you purchase your course, you will have full access to:
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
- Hunting Tools: Hunter-tested resources (like free app subscriptions) to help you hunt more confidently and successfully.
- Easy Access to Hunting Regulations: With just a few clicks, you can learn about the hunting regs for your state each year.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Additional discounted course options to help you learn more skills, like archery and saddle hunting.
Plus, your Hunter Perks include gear discounts to gather what you need for great hunts (while saving money) and contests to win free stuff.
These Perks never expire. You'll always have access to your Hunter-Ed dashboard and Hunter Perks to support you through your lifelong pursuit of hunting!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in Florida with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the Florida hunter safety course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about taking the Florida hunter education course!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Florida?
Yes, you need hunter education in Florida to hunt legally if you were born on or after June 1, 1975, and are at least 16 years old.
Q: Can you take the Florida Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take the Florida hunter safety course online as part of the state's requirements. You'll need to complete your certification with a Field Day offered through the FFWCC. The State of Florida has approved Hunter-Ed as an online course that you can complete to meet the requirements.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Sign up sooner rather than later! We recommend signing up and completing your course at least a few weeks before the season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify every season. Your FL hunter education course covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in Florida after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is good for life!
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the course through Hunter-Ed, the course fee is $39.95. This cost includes the course, study guide, unlimited tries to pass the final exam, your hunter education card, and Hunter Perks.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the required Hunter Education certification can result in fines. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
