How to Get Your 2025 Hunter Education Course California in 3 Easy Steps
Hunters in California are drawn to the state in part because of its incredible diversity of landscapes. From the high Sierra and coastal redwoods to deserts, wetlands, foothills, and oak woodlands, the state supports a wide range of game species and offers many different hunting experiences.
However, with these opportunities, the State of California places a high importance on hunter safety. Being a safe hunter means learning about proper firearm handling, wearing blaze orange for visibility, the hunting laws for the state, and more.
California requires hunter education for most new hunters or anyone who does not have a hunting license from another state or province issued within the last two years. So, if you're planning a hunt in California in 2025 (and looking ahead to 2026), keep reading to learn how to take your hunter education course, California hunters, and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in California?
California requires hunter education training for anyone who has never held a California hunting license, who does not have a hunter education certificate, or who does not have a hunting license from another state or province issued within the past two years.
There is no minimum age requirement to take the course. However, you must have your California certification before purchasing a hunting license. You have two options to get your certification.
1. Take a Traditional Hunter Education Course
The traditional or "classroom" course includes a minimum of ten hours of classroom instruction, homework, and field instruction. The field work includes:
- Firearm safety and handling
- Wildlife management and conservation
- Sportsmanship and ethics
- Archery
- Wildlife identification
- Black powder
- Game care
- Survival
- First Aid
After completing your course, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion.
Be sure you plan ahead! Register for a course date, time, and location that's convenient for you, and be sure you have time to complete the course before hunting season.
2. Take an Online Course and Follow-Up Class (Hybrid)
Again, the online course alone does not meet California's current requirements for hunter education.
However, taking an online course to cover the classroom portion of the requirement is often a more convenient option for hunters, rather than the time and location commitment of the traditional course. This can be a great option for young hunters who might find the in-person classroom setting more challenging to learn.
Then, after completing the online course, you'll print out the Online Course Completion Voucher as proof that you completed and passed the course. You'll need this voucher to attend a 4-hour follow-up class with a certified Hunter Education instructor in California.
You can only do the follow-up class after completing the online portion of the requirement.
Again, make sure you plan ahead to make sure you're certified in time for hunting season! Register for the follow-up class to complete your hunter education course California style.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2025 California Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your California hunting license.
California hunting licenses are valid from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Again, all new California hunters must complete a California-approved hunter education (i.e., safety) course before purchasing a hunting license. This includes either the all-classroom traditional course or the hybrid online-with-follow-up course options.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to get started with our online course, approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. California offers resident, nonresident, disabled veteran, junior, or recovering service member license options. Then, purchase your license online via the CDFW website, at a CDFW License and Revenue Branch near you, or at an approved license outlet in California (e.g., sporting goods stores). - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Always carry your license when hunting. If tags are required (for big game, deer, turkey, etc.), make sure to tag your harvest properly.
Next, we'll look at these steps in more detail.
Take the Hunter Education Course California Online!
Step 1: How to Take the Hunter Education Course California
The easiest way to start your hunter safety certification requirement is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
Our course:
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and CDFW.
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Saves your progress! Start and stop as needed to fit your schedule while working at your own pace.
- Includes videos, illustrations, games, and quizzes to help you learn the required material.
- Can be taken from anywhere you can connect to the internet using a phone, tablet, or computer.
- Allows unlimited attempts to pass the course quizzes. You'll need to score at least 80% on each quiz to pass.
- Offered in English or Spanish for most states (including California).
- Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the quizzes.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
Check out one of the videos you'll see in the course and study guide!
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certificate
After passing your online course and completing the 4-hour follow-up course (or taking the 10-hr in-person traditional course), you receive your hunter education certificate for California.
Note: there is no final exam for the online portion of the course, but you will need to complete the course and pass the quizzes within the course before taking the Follow-Up in-person class.
This certificate includes a certificate number that the state will add to your Go ID account within 48 hours. You'll need this number to purchase a hunting license in California.
Your Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your California Hunter Education Card is a critical document! Carry it in the field for every hunt as proof that you completed the state's hunter education requirements.
When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask to see your hunting license and safety certification, so make sure you have these documents handy.
However, if you lose it, and you received your card after January 1, 2016, you can purchase a Hunter Education Certificate "Duplicate" from the Online License Sales and Service website, a license agent, or the CDFW license sales office.
Step 3: Get Your California Hunting License in 2025
You Hunter Education Course California requirement is now behind you. Whether you're a new hunter or a seasoned hunter, you're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Remember that you'll need a new hunting license every year. Last year's California hunting license isn't valid for 2025-2026. So, depending on whether you're a resident or nonresident, or if you qualify for junior or other specialty hunting licenses, make sure you research carefully and purchase the correct license to hunt legally this season.
Buy Online
The easiest way to get your California hunting license is to buy it online. This can be especially convenient if you don't live close to a retailer or you plan to hunt in California as a nonresident from another state.
Buy from CDFW License and Revenue Branch
Find the CDFW License and Revenue Branch closest to your location. You can buy licenses, permits, tags, and more from these locations.
Buy from an Approved Retailer
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, California offers plenty of retail locations offering 2025-2026 hunting licenses.
Find a License Agent on the CDFW website to find a location near you. In general, most sporting goods stores (like Big 5 stores), Wal-Mart stores, and other designated locations offer hunting licenses.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Why do states require hunter safety education?
Hunter safety education is essential for promoting responsible hunting, whether you’re using a firearm or bow. By completing an approved hunter education course in California, hunters learn how to protect themselves, others, and the environment, helping preserve both safety and the integrity of the sport.
Hunter education is crucial because it:
- Prevents Accidents and Injuries:
Comprehensive instruction in firearm handling, safe shooting, and hunting techniques greatly reduces the risk of accidental shootings and field-related injuries. - Develops Skilled, Knowledgeable Hunters:
Hunter education provides essential training in firearm safety, navigation, first aid, and survival skills. These courses also encourage respect for fellow hunters, landowners, and nature. - Promotes Ethical and Responsible Hunting:
Ethical hunting is at the core of every course. Hunters learn to respect wildlife, follow hunting laws, and practice sustainability to help maintain healthy animal populations for generations (and hunting seasons) to come. - Ensures Legal Compliance:
In most states, including California, completing a certified hunter education course is required to obtain a hunting license. This reinforces the importance of understanding and following state regulations.
Take the Hunter Education Course California Online!
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
It's true that some states accept hunter safety certifications in other states. This is known as "reciprocity."
However, without taking a course that's specific to the state you plan to hunt (for example, taking the Texas hunter safety course for hunting in Texas), you miss critical information about hunting in that specific state.
These specifics can include important regulations and information that can be critical to hunting safely and legally in that state.
So, before you assume that "one course is good enough for any state," take a few hours to sign up for the Hunter-Ed hunter education course for California to start the requirements for certification!
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
In addition to all of the benefits mentioned earlier, you get access to Hunter Perks — something no other hunter education provider offers!
Hunter Perks is an exclusive, free offering from the team at Hunter-Ed. As soon as you purchase your course, you will have full access to:
- Tools: Hunter-tested resources to help you hunt with confidence and success.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Additional course options (offered at a discount) to help you learn more skills, like archery and saddle hunting.
- Easy Access to Hunting Regulations: With a couple of clicks, you can learn about the hunting rules and regs for your state each year.
- Video and Article Content: Curated blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
Plus, you'll see contests and gear discounts to gather what you need for great hunts (while saving money).
The best part? These Perks never expire. You'll always have access to your Hunter-Ed dashboard and Hunter Perks to support you through a lifelong pursuit of hunting!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in California with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the hunter education course, California hunters. You won't be able to hunt without it!
It's easy to sign up for the Hunter-Ed California course and complete it. Within a few hours, you'll be almost ready to hunt safely and legally in California!
Just remember to take the Follow-Up in-person session to complete your hunter education certification in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to your questions about taking the hunter education course California!
Q: Who needs hunter education in California?
Anyone who has never held a California hunting license and wants to buy one must complete a hunter education course.
Q: Can I take an online hunter education course in California
Yes. California offers approved online hunter education courses (like Hunter-Ed) that can be completed at your own pace. However, you'll also need to complete a Follow-Up in-person session to fulfill the hunter education requirement in California. The online-only course no longer meets the requirement.
Q: How do I replace a lost hunter education certificate in California?
You can request a duplicate certificate through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website or by contacting a regional CDFW office.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
We recommend signing up and completing your course a few weeks before the season begins. Make sure you a plan enough time to complete the online course and the Follow-Up course. The in-person sessions can fill up quickly.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No! Your hunter education course California and Follow-Up class is the only certification you'll need to hunt in California for your lifetime.
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My California Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the online part of the course through Hunter-Ed, the course fee is $29.95. Costs for the required Follow-Up class are typically $10.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without a required hunter education certification can result in fines. The state can also render your hunting license invalid until you complete the course.
