In this quick guide, we will show you how to complete your Hunter Education Course for North Carolina online.
First, Who Needs Hunter Education?
North Carolina law is clear: due to state regulations, All first-time hunters and anyone under 16 planning to hunt without an adult must complete hunter education with a training certificate before buying a hunting license.
Summary of Guide
Complete the online-only, IHEA-approved 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 North Carolina, 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 Hunter Education Course for NC 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.
What You Need to Know
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our interactive course. We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online, and your permanent IHEA & TPWD (State) approved hunter education certificate (card) will be accepted for use in North Carolina ( North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission) to purchase your North Carolina Hunting License for resident and non-resident hunters alike.
Signing up for your North Carolina Hunter Safety 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.
Navigating the Online Hunter Safety Course
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 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.
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 study materials and quiz yourself at home. Repetition and real-world application (even dry-firing a toy gun or role-playing scenarios) help solidify learning.
Obtaining Your Certificate
After completing the course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your Hunter Education Certificate. This is your ticket to purchasing your first North Carolina 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 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, an important part of wildlife management, until your permanent certificate is ready for download from the State, approximately 7-10 business days following the completion of your course.
Receiving your North Carolina 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 North Carolina), 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 and fish warden in the field.
Where to buy your state-issued 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 North Carolina, you can buy your license either online through the licensing platform Go Outdoors North Carolina or in person through a licensing agent, all listed here.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of North Carolina:
- Walmart Supercenter – Raleigh, NC Address: 4431 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610 Phone: (919) 212-6161
- Bass Pro Shops – Concord, NC Address: 8181 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027 Phone: (704) 979-2200
- Dunham’s Sports – Fayetteville, NC Address: 5075 Morganton Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28314 Phone: (910) 860-2600
- Academy Sports + Outdoors – Greensboro, NC Address: 4526 W Wendover Ave, Greensboro, NC 27409 Phone: (336) 291-4000
- Dick’s Sporting Goods – Charlotte, NC Address: 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 Phone: (704) 364-4411
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North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) Contact Information: Phone: (919) 707-0010 Email: Contact Form Website: ncwildlife.org
Taking It Further: What Lies Ahead?
Having a Hunter Education Certificate opens many doors outside of simply purchasing a hunting license, including opportunities in firearm hunting, shooting sports, and wildlife conservation, while promoting firearm safety and helping to reduce hunting accidents.
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.
Additional courses—like advanced archery or bowhunting—are available if you are interested in expanding your skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I sign up 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.