In this quick guide, we will show you how to complete your Hunter Education Course for Kentucky online.
First, Who Needs Hunter Education?
Kentucky law is clear: due to state regulations, Effective March 1, 1991, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must carry proof of valid hunter education certification. Hunters may use hunting licenses or electronic documentation with proof of identity.
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Kentucky.
- Complete an in-person course through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Typically, you will need to register for these months in advance; therefore, plan accordingly if you wish to pursue the in-person option.
- A hybrid course with the online portion done through a Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources online partner & then an in-person range day.
- Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course; you just need to carry your TPWD-approved certificate/card with you in the field.
Also, unique to Kentucky, they currently offer a temporary hunter education exemption permit allowing a person to hunt for one year without first completing a hunter education course. The permit will be available online for free (for a limited time) and is available to both Kentucky residents and nonresidents. Kentucky’s hunter education law requires all license-required hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, to pass a hunter education course and carry the course completion card when hunting. However, hunters who have the new permit will be exempt from this law for one year from the date issued.
That's it! Choose one of these options, and you can now go buy your hunting license(s) and hunt legally for life.
What makes our course the best?
First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already have their Hunter Education Card; they simply love it that much.
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 Hunter Education Course for KY Hunters
Our hunter safety course is:
- Online-only, no in-person course required.
- 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, making it one of the fastest ways to complete your 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.
Signing up for your Kentucky 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 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?
Review the provided training materials and test your knowledge at home using the practice quizzes. Repetition and real-world application (even dry-firing a toy gun or role-playing scenarios on a range day) help solidify learning.
Getting your Hunter Education Certification
After completing the course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your Hunter Education Certificate. This is your ticket to purchasing your first Kentucky hunting license!
Once you have completed the 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 certificate of completion as proof of completion upon completing our course and passing the final exam. We encourage users to print this certificate, as it will serve as your temporary Hunter Education Certificate until your permanent certificate is ready for download from the State, approximately 7-10 business days after completing your course.
Receiving your state-issued hunter education card
Once you complete the certification, we submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (card). This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Kentucky), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State (TPWD) Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
You will receive this email from "TPWD 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.
Where to buy your Kentucky Hunting License
As soon as you receive your permanent Hunter Education Certificate from completing our course (you will get it via email from "TPWD Element LMS" within a few business days), 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.
To hunt in Kentucky, you can purchase your license either online through the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Online License Portal or in person through a licensed agent. A full directory of authorized in-person license agents is available on the KDFWR License Vendor Locator.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in Kentucky:
- Bass Pro Shops – Bowling Green, KY Address: 3395 Nell O'Bryan Ct, Bowling Green, KY 42103 Phone: (270) 936-8300
- Cabela’s – Lexington, KY Address: 1510 Conservation Way, Lexington, KY 40509 Phone: (859) 286-5300
- Walmart Supercenter – Louisville, KY Address: 2020 Bashford Manor Ln, Louisville, KY 40218 Phone: (502) 451-6766
For more information, you can contact:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)
Contact Information: Phone: (800) 858-1549 Email: [email protected] Website: fw.ky.gov
Ready to Hunt: Start Learning Online
Having a Hunter Education Certificate opens many doors outside of simply purchasing a hunting license, including opportunities with the NRA, 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 that offer ATV insurance, provide discounts to graduates of hunter safety education programs.
Additional courses—like advanced archery, bowhunting, basic hunter-trapper education, or advanced hunter-trapper education—are available if you are interested in expanding your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I sign up for the 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.
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.
Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Kentucky?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Kentucky and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). No in-person requirements are necessary for our course; you simply need to ensure that you carry your TPWD-approved certificate/card with you in the field.
Does Kentucky require a Hunter Safety course?
Kentucky law is clear: due to state regulations, Effective March 1, 1991, all hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must carry proof of valid hunter education certification. Hunters may use hunting licenses or electronic documentation with proof of identity.