What if I lose my Hunter Education Certificate?

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) allows you to reprint your certificate from their online portal anytime for free. It’s smart to make a backup digital copy.

Hunter Education Course Ohio – Online Only

In this quick guide, we will show you how to complete your Hunter Education Course for Ohio online.

First, Who Needs Hunter Education?

Ohio law is clear: due to state regulations, all first-time hunters, except those using an apprentice license and hunting with an adult, must complete hunter education.

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Ohio. The first 2 options are presented through the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The last option through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest option & can be used to hunt across the US.

Complete an in-person course. This instructor-led course lasts about 8-12 hours and takes place in a classroom environment.
Online Hunter Education is offered for Ohio residents 12 years of age or older. This course, on average, will take about 8 hours to complete.
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.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife Website states that:

"Anyone applying for a hunting license, except an apprentice license, is required to successfully complete a hunter education course. Applicants must do one of the following:

Present a previously held hunting license.
Present evidence of having successfully completed a hunter education course (from any state).
Swear he or she is 21 years of age or older and previously held a legal hunting license (from any state)."

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 Ohio 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 training, 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 wildlife management, 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 Ed 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:

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 Ohio), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State (TPWD) Issued Hunter Education Certificates (TPWD).

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 Ohio 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 Ohio, you can purchase your license either online through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System or in person at authorized license agents. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) provides a map of license agents to help you locate a convenient in-person location.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Ohio:

Walmart Supercenter – Columbus, OH Address: 3900 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43219 Phone: (614) 476-2070
Fin Feather Fur Outfitters – Ashland, OH Address: 652 US-250, Ashland, OH 44805 Phone: (419) 281-2557
ODNR Division of Wildlife Headquarters – Columbus, OH Address: 2045 Morse Rd, Building G, Columbus, OH 43229 Phone: (614) 265-6300

Now That You’re Certified: Here’s What’s Next

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 IHEA approved 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 Ohio?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Ohio and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA).