How to Get Your 2026 SC Hunter Education Course Online in 3 Easy Steps
Before you can hunt in the state, South Carolina requires all hunters born after June 30, 1979, to pass a hunter education course.
Hunter education teaches valuable safety essentials, why hunters wear blaze orange for visibility, tree stand safety, proper firearm handling, the hunting laws for your state, and more.
So, if you're planning a hunt in South Carolina in 2026, keep reading to learn how to take the SC hunter education course online and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in South Carolina?
All hunters born after June 30, 1979, must pass a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education card in South Carolina.
This certification is required before purchasing a hunting license. The state offers two options to get certified to meet this requirement.
1. Classroom Instruction
Hunters can take a certified instructor-led course (in-person) that covers the knowledge and skills needed to be a safe hunter in South Carolina. This 8-hour course is offered free through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR).
You must complete all hours for the class and pass the final written exam to receive your certification.
Choose an in-person course on a date and location that's most convenient to you. Be sure to plan ahead 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.
2. Online Self-Study Course
If an in-person course isn't convenient for you, South Carolina allows hunters to take an online self-study course. Hunter-Ed is the only approved provider for this course.
After completing the course and passing all quizzes and exams, you'll print your temporary Hunter Education Certificate. This certificate means you're ready to hunt legally and safely in South Carolina right away!
Then, within 2-3 weeks, you'll receive your permanent hunter education card in the mail.
The online course is the most convenient way to meet the SCDNR's hunter education requirements.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2026 South Carolina Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your SC hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all hunters born after June 30, 1979, must complete a hunter education course before hunting in South Carolina.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that with our online course, as the only online course approved by the SCDNR! - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Choose from resident, non-resident, military personnel, student, senior, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the GoOutdoorsSouthCarolina website, by mailing in an application, or in person through an approved license vendor. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Don't forget to carry your license and any necessary tags, stamps, or permits when hunting.
Next, let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the South Carolina Hunter Education Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification in South Carolina is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
Hunter-Ed is:
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA).
- Can be taken from anywhere you can connect to the internet using a phone, computer, or tablet.
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Is available in English and Spanish.
- Includes games, animations, illustrations, videos, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. You must score at least 80% on the quizzes and final exam to pass.
- Allows you to work at your own pace and start and stop as needed (i.e., it saves your progress)!
- 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!
Hunter-Ed course is the only SCDNR-approved online course!
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing the final exam, you've met the hunter education requirements!
In your Hunter-Ed student portal, print your temporary Hunter Education Certificate. You'll receive your permanent card from the SCDNR in about 2-3 weeks. However, you can hunt right away with your temporary card.
Your Hunter Education Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your hunter safety card is an important document!
Always carry it when you hunt (along with your hunting license) as proof that you completed the SC hunter education course. 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! Visit the ilostmycard website to order a replacement card.
Step 3: Where to Get Your SC Hunting License in 2026
Your South Carolina 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, unless you have a lifetime license. Annual South Carolina hunting licenses are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
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 retail location, or you plan to hunt in South Carolina while you're a resident of another state
Buy In Person from a License Agent
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the State of South Carolina offers plenty of locations that offer hunting licenses.
Use the SCDNR website to find an agent location near you. In general, sporting goods stores, Wal-Mart stores, outfitters, and similar locations offer hunting licenses in South Carolina. You can also purchase a license from the SCDNR offices in Charleston, Florence, Clemson, York, Aynor, and SCDNR at Market.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Before you ever buy a tag or step foot in the field, a hunter safety course helps make sure you’ve got your ducks in a row and know how to hunt smart and safe—whether this is your first hunting season or you’ve been at it for years.
Hunter safety courses focus on firearm safety and good decision-making in real situations. It’s practical, common-sense (yet crucial) information that keeps you, your hunting partners, and everyone else out there safe. Essentially, hunter education helps make sure everybody gets home at the end of the day.
You’ll also learn skills you’ll actually use, like how to navigate to prime hunting locations, handle basic first aid, and deal with unexpected situations in the outdoors. Just as important, hunter education reinforces respect for landowners, fellow hunters, and the wildlife we’re privileged to chase.
The bottom line is that hunter education is about doing it right. It’s about hunting ethically, taking responsibility, and protecting the resource so the tradition stays strong for the next generation of hunters.
For these reasons (and likely others), South Carolina makes hunter education a requirement for hunters!
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Many states offer reciprocity, which means they’ll accept a hunter safety card from another state to meet their education requirement. That’s handy if you’ve already taken a course back home and plan on traveling to hunt elsewhere.
That said, if you’re a brand-new hunter in South Carolina, it’s smart to take the South Carolina hunter education course specifically. A state-specific course makes sure you don’t miss important info that applies to hunting here.
For example, a Texas hunter ed course isn’t going to cover the rules you need to know for SC hunting. Every state has its own regulations, seasons, and safety requirements, and those details matter once you’re in the field.
So before you assume an out-of-state course has you covered, set aside a few hours and knock out the South Carolina Hunter-Ed course. It’s time well spent and helps make sure you’re hunting safe, legal, and confident when it counts.
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
Hunters get more with Hunter-Ed!
Not only do you get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers everything you need to know to hunt safely (while meeting the SCDNR's requirements), but you also get access to Hunter Perks.
Hunter Perks is an exclusive offering from Hunter-Ed, and it's completely free for students!
As soon as you purchase your course, you will have full access to:
- Hunting Tools: Access to hunter-proven resources at a discount (including app subscriptions) to help you hunt more successfully.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Build your skills by taking additional courses (at a discount) to help you learn about things like archery and saddle hunting.
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Visit links to informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
- Easy Access to Hunting Regulations: Find links to learn about the hunting regulations for South Carolina (and other states) each year.
Plus, your 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 keep your access to your Hunter-Ed dashboard and Hunter Perks to support you through your lifelong pursuit of hunting!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in South Carolina with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the South Carolina hunter safety course online. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about the South Carolina hunter education course!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in South Carolina?
Yes, you need hunter education in South Carolina to hunt legally if you were born after June 30, 1979.
Q: Can you take the South Carolina Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take the South Carolina hunter safety course online as part of the state's requirements. Hunter-Ed is the only approved online course!
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Sign up for your hunter education course to complete it with at least a few weeks to spare before hunting season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify for hunter safety every season. Your SC hunter education course covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in the state 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 $29.95. 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 and other penalties. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
