In this quick guide, we will show you how to complete your Hunter Education Course for New Jersey online.
First, Who Needs Hunter Education?
New Jersey law is clear: due to state regulations, anyone who has never held a hunting license must complete hunter education before buying a hunting license.
How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)
You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in New Jersey. The first 2 are presented by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife. The last option through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest & can be used to hunt across the US.
- Residents: complete an online course & sign up for an in-person firearms live range session.
- Nonresidents are encouraged to complete the hunter education requirements in their home state & get a NJ CID number.
- 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, but you will still need to get a NJ CID number.
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
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, including learning valuable hunting skills, 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.
- Your TPWD issued Hunter Education Card is valid in all 50 US States as well as Mexico and Canada.
- We offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
Signing up for your 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 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.
Getting your Hunter Education Certification
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:
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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 U.S. states (including New Jersey), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. 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 New Jersey Hunting License
As soon as you receive your TPWD Hunter Education Card, you are now eligible to go and buy your hunting license in whichever states you plan on legally hunting in.
To hunt in New Jersey, you can purchase your license either online through the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Licensing Portal or in person through an authorized agent. A full list of licensed agents is available on the NJ Hunting License Agent Directory.
Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in New Jersey:
- Ramsey Outdoor – Succasunna, NJ Address: 281 NJ-10, Succasunna, NJ 07876 Phone: (973) 584-7798
- Walmart Supercenter – Hamilton, NJ Address: 700 Marketplace Blvd, Hamilton Township, NJ 08691 Phone: (609) 585-1463
- New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife – Trenton, NJ Address: 501 E State St, Trenton, NJ 08691 Phone: (609) 292-1463
Next Steps After Finishing Your Hunter Education Course
Having a Hunter Education Certificate opens many doors outside of simply purchasing a hunting license, including opportunities with the NRA, training sessions, firearm hunting, and wildlife conservation.
All states accept our online-only Hunter Education Course if you're an adult and 17 or older, and after completing it, you will receive a hunter education certificate.
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 New Jersey?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Alabama and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA).