How to Get Your 2025 Hunter Education Course PA in 3 Easy Steps
Hunting in Pennsylvania is a long-standing tradition that plays a vital role in the state’s culture, economy, and wildlife management. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) oversees hunting seasons and regulations for a wide range of game, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, and small game like squirrels and rabbits.
With its mix of public game lands and private hunting areas, Pennsylvania offers diverse and accessible opportunities for both seasoned and novice hunters. All PA hunters (new or seasoned) carry the critical responsibility of practicing good hunter safety, like proper firearm handling, wearing blaze orange for visibility, and understanding the hunting laws for the state.
The State of Pennsylvania requires all first-time hunters or trappers to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a season hunting license (regardless of age).
So, if you're planning a hunt in 2025 (and looking ahead to 2026), keep reading to learn how to take your hunter education course PA and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Pennsylvania?
Again, all first-time hunters or trappers (regardless of age) must complete a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education card in Pennsylvania.
You must have this certification to purchase a hunting license. The state offers four Hunter-Trapper Course options to get certified.
1. Take a Basic Hunter-Trapper Education In-Person Course
This is a 6-hour course offered for free through the Pennsylvania Game Commission. You must select a course date and time through the PGC to take this course. There is also some independent study required (reading Chapters 1, 4, 5, and 9 of the "Today's Hunter and Trapper in Pennsylvania" student manual) before attending the in-person class.
Hunters must also pass the certification exam at the end of the class to receive their hunter education card.
Plan your timing wisely so you can complete the course and exam ahead of the hunting season with plenty of time to get your hunting license and plan your hunt.
2. Take the Basic Hunter-Trapper Interactive Online Course
Hunters ages 11 and older can take an interactive online course offered through ilearntohunt.
This interactive, game-style course can be ideal for young students to help them complete and retain the course material, and then stay safe in the field. However, it's also a fast and fun way for adults to learn!
3. Take the Basic Hunter-Trapper Education Online Course
Pennsylvania also offers a more traditional learning-style, online course for Pennsylvania residents ages 16 and older. Offered only through Hunter-Ed, this course covers all required material and includes the final exam.
After completing the course and passing the final exam, you can print a temporary certification. Within a few weeks, your permanent hunter education card will arrive by mail.
4. Take the NRA Hunter Education Course (Online)
The NRA (National Rifle Association) offers an online course for Pennsylvania residents (only), free of charge. You must be at least 11 years old and have a Pennsylvania Customer ID to take this course.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2025 PA Hunt License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your PA hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Again, first-time hunters and trappers of any age must complete a Pennsylvania-approved hunter education (safety) course before purchasing their license.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that with our online course, approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Your 2025-2026 Pennsylvania hunting license is valid July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Choose from resident adult, junior, senior, landowner, hunting heritage, military, hunting heritage, National Guard, and other licenses. The State also offers, nonresident adult, junior, and senior licenses.
Trappers must purchase Furtaker licenses. You might also need Add-On licenses depending on the season and the species you plan to hunt.
Then, purchase your license online via the HuntFishPA website or from an approved agent (e.g., sporting goods stores, outfitters, and other designated locations). - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
You must always carry your license when hunting. If tags are required for the animal you plan to hunt, make sure you also have those to tag your harvest properly.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Take the PA Hunter Education Course Online!
Step 1: How to Take the Hunter Education Course PA
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
Our course:
- Includes animations, illustrations, videos, games, and quizzes to help you learn the required material.
- Allows unlimited attempts to pass the final exam. You'll need to score at least 80% on the exam to pass.
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and PGC.
- Saves your progress! Start and stop as needed to fit your schedule and work at your own pace.
- Can be taken from anywhere you can connect to the internet using a computer, tablet, or phone.
- Offered in English or Spanish for most states (including Pennsylvania).
- Free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the final exam.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
Note: Hunters must be at least 16 years old to take the Hunter-Ed course for PA. However, hunters as young as 11 years old can take an interactive course through ilearntohunt.
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing your final exam, you have immediate access to print a temporary hunter certification card.
In your Hunter-Ed student dashboard, you'll see a button to "Print Course Certificate." Click that to print your temporary card. This convenience means you can get certified and go hunting within the same weekend!
Then, within a few weeks, the PGC will mail you your permanent card.
Your Card is Your Proof of Certification
Remember: Your hunter education card is proof that you have completed the course and exam. Treat it like you do other important documents.
You must carry your hunter education card when you hunt as proof that you completed the hunter education course Pennsylvania requires. When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask for your hunting license and safety certification.
Don't worry if you lose your card. Visit the ilostmycard website to request a replacement card.
Step 3: Where to Get Your PA Hunting License in 2025
Your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania hunt license isn't valid for 2025-2026. As you plan what you want to hunt this year, make sure you 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 a retailer or you plan to hunt in Pennsylvania as a resident of another state
Buy from a HuntFishPA Sales Outlet
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the state of Pennsylvania offers plenty of sales outlet locations offering 2025 hunting licenses.
Use the search function on the HuntFishPA Sales Outlet website to find a location near you. In general, most outfitters, supply stores, and firearms shops, offer hunting licenses in Pennsylvania.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Hunter education is a crucial part of responsible hunting (for new hunters and seasoned hunters). Whether you hunt with a bow, a crossbow, or a firearm, or you hunt from a blind or from a tree, hunter safety knowledge must be your foundation for every hunt experience.
Hunter education saves lives! Courses help:
- Reduce the Number of Accidents and Injuries: Through in-depth training on safe firearm handling, proper shooting practices, and effective hunting methods, these courses greatly lower the chances of injuries and accidental shootings in the field.
Develop Skilled and Informed Hunters: Hunter education courses provide essential skills such as navigation, first aid, tree stand and firearm safety, and basic survival techniques. They also emphasize respect for fellow hunters, landowners, and the natural environment.
Ethical and Responsible Hunting: Hunter education fosters respect for wildlife, compliance with hunting laws, and the use of sustainable practices that help maintain healthy animal populations for future generations.
Promote Legal Awareness and Compliance: In most states, including Pennsylvania, hunters must complete a certified education course before obtaining a hunting license. This requirement highlights the importance of understanding and following all hunting laws and regulations.
Take the Hunter Education Course PA Online!
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
While some states offer reciprocity, meaning they accept hunter safety certifications from other states, relying on that can leave you unprepared for a hunt in a specific state.
State-specific information can include important rules and regulations that can be critical to hunting safely and legally in that state.
So, before you trust another course from another state or assume that "one course works in any state" to prepare you for hunting in Pennsylvania, take a few hours to complete for the Hunter-Ed hunter safety course for Pennsylvania and get certified!
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
There are many options and various providers that offer hunter education. However, when you choose Hunter-Ed, you get more than what other providers offer.
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, 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:
- Hunting Tools: Hunter-tested resources to help you hunt with confidence and success.
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Additional course options to help you learn more skills, like archery and saddle hunting — available to you at a discount!
- Easy Access to Hunting Regulations: With just a few clicks, you can learn about the hunting rules and regs for your state each year.
Plus, Hunter Perks include contests to win free stuff and gear discounts to gather what you need for great hunts (while saving money).
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 Pennsylvania with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the Pennsylvania hunter safety course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
It's easy to sign up for the Pennsylvania Hunter-Ed course, finish every unit and quiz, then pass the final exam. Within a few hours, you'll be ready to hunt safely and legally in PA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about taking the hunter education course PA!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Pennsylvania?
Yes! If you are a first-time hunter or trapper (of any age), you must complete a hunter education course to hunt legally in Pennsylvania.
Q: Can you take the Pennsylvania Hunter Safety course online?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Game Commission approves online-only courses (like Hunter-Ed) that you can complete at your own pace.
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.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No! Your hunter education course PA covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in Pennsylvania 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 $34.95. 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.
