In this quick guide, we will show you how to complete your Hunter Education Course for Illinois online.
First, Who Needs Hunter Education?
Illinois law is clear: due to state regulations, anyone born after January 1, 1980 must complete an approved hunter education course buying a hunting license.
Summary Guide
Complete the online-only, IHEA-approved and IL-accepted hunter safety education course (Adults 17 and older only). No in-person field day required for adults.
Print or save your temporary certificate for immediate use. Your state-issued hunter education certificate will be emailed to you within 7-10 business days and is valid for life and for use in Illinois, as well as all other 49 US States, Mexico, and Canada.
That's it! You can now go buy your hunting license(s) and hunt legally for life.
We break down the guide into more detail below, but if you're short on time and ready to get started, head over to our online Hunter Education Course and complete it today!
An Overview of the Illinois Hunter Education Course for Hunters
Our hunter safety online course is designed like a field day experience, offering practical knowledge in an engaging way:
- Online-only, no in-person course required, meaning there's no field day necessary to complete your certification.
- All video-based, so there's no requirement to read anything. It includes closed captions, and you can search the video by keyword.
- Self-paced, meaning you can come and go as needed. Your progress is automatically saved.
- 3 hours long, covering essential hunter safety education topics, including archery and preparing for a field day, making it one of the fastest ways to complete your online course hunter safety requirements.
- You can do it from your phone, computer, or tablet, or switch between them if you like.
- Unlimited exam attempts.
- Valid in all 50 US States as well as Mexico and Canada.
- We offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
What to Expect in the Hunter Ed Course
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our interactive course. We provide all the resources to get you fully certified through our online course, and your hunter education certificate is accepted by Illinois Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for use in Illinois residents and non-residents alike.
Step-by-Step: How to Sign Up for the Illinois Hunter Education Course
Sign up for the course, pay, & provide your information for your hunter education certificate. Make sure it matches your driver's license or state ID, if you have one.
Taking the Hunter Education Course online
This is an overview of our course landing page, showing the 5 units you must complete to take the final exam:
Here is an example of a unit section. You have the choice to watch the video or read the material for each section:
Here is an example of the video content found throughout our course for each section found within the 5 units:
The Hunter Safety Final Exam
The final exam is 60 multiple-choice questions, and your scores are provided immediately.
To pass, you need a score of 80% or higher. If you’re nervous about the exam, remember:
Every answer is covered during the course, which aligns with NRA guidelines on gun safety and education.
Our online course allows unlimited retake attempts if you fail the first time.
Here are a few example questions you might encounter:
- What is the safest direction to point a firearm?
- Which of the following is an ethical hunting or trapping practice?
- What should you do first if you become lost in the woods?
Consider having a field day to practice what you've learned; review the provided study materials and quiz yourself at home as part of your training. Repetition and real-world application (even dry-firing a toy gun or role-playing scenarios) help solidify learning.
Getting your Hunter Education Certification
After completing the hunter safety and online course, and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your Hunter Education Certificate, and you might even feel like you've had a field day with all the new skills you've learned. This is your ticket to purchasing your first Illinois hunting license!
Once you have completed the online course, you can see your exam pass rate and temporary certificate here:
You can click the certificate page to see, save & print your temporary certificate:
You will receive a final certification of completion upon completing our course and passing the final exam. We encourage users to print this certificate as it will act as your temporary Hunter Education Certificate until your permanent certificate is ready for download from the State, approximately 7-10 business days following the completion of your course.
Get Your Official Illinois Hunter Education Certificate
Once you complete the certification, we submit your course results to the state. The state will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Illinois), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
You will receive this email from "Element LMS" when your permanent certificate is ready for download in approximately 7-10 business days.
Treat your card like a driver’s license. You can either print it and store it in your wallet or keep a digital copy on your phone. Keep it safe, as you’ll need to show proof of certification when applying for a new hunting license or if requested by a game warden in the field, especially during a field day inspection.
How to Buy Your Illinois Hunting License (After Certification)
As soon as you receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate from completing our course, you are eligible to go and buy your hunting license in whichever states you plan on legally hunting in, and the NRA provides additional resources on responsible hunting practices, including tips for making your next hunting trip a field day.
To hunt in Illinois, you can purchase your license either online through the official licensing platform ExploreMoreIL or in person at an authorized licensing agent, especially after completing an online hunter education course in Illinois like ours. A comprehensive list of in-person agents is available here: ExploreMoreIL Agent Locator.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Illinois:
- Bass Pro Shops – Gurnee, IL Address: 6112 W Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL 60031 Phone: (847) 856-1229
- Cabela's – Hoffman Estates, IL Address: 5225 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 Phone: (847) 645-0400
- Walmart Supercenter – Springfield, IL Address: 1100 Lejune Dr, Springfield, IL 62703 Phone: (217) 529-6221
- Six Mile Regional Library District – Granite City, IL Address: 2001 Delmar Ave, Granite City, IL 62040 Phone: (618) 452-6238
- Dick's Sporting Goods – Peoria, IL Address: 5205 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL 61615 Phone: (309) 692-3900
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Contact Information: Phone: (217) 782-6302 Email: [email protected] Website: dnr.illinois.gov
What’s Next After Getting Certified?
Having a Hunter Education Certificate, which can be obtained after completing an online course or an in-person hunter safety course, opens many doors outside of simply purchasing a hunting license, including opportunities with the NRA, field day events, firearm hunting, and wildlife conservation.
All states accept our online-only Hunter Education Course if you're an adult and 17 or older.
Some insurance companies, including those offering ATV insurance, provide discounts for hunter safety education graduates, making each purchase feel like a field day, especially if you've completed an online course.
Additional courses—like advanced archery, bowhunting, basic hunter-trapper education, advanced hunter-trapper education, or an online course—are available if you are interested in expanding your skills before going on a field day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Hunter Ed
What if I lose my Hunter Education Certificate?
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) allows you to reprint your certificate from their online portal anytime for free. It’s smart to make a backup digital copy.
How early should I sign up for the online course before the hunting season?
Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall, when many hunters are having a field day preparing for the season.
How much does it cost to get your Hunter Education Certificate?
$29. We accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, all major credit cards, and signature debit cards. We also offer a 100% money-back guarantee.