Hunter Safety Course NY - 3 Easy Online Only Certification Steps for New York Hunters

David Harrison  ·  Updated on July 30, 2025

Hunting LicenseHunter SafetyGuides
Hunter Safety Course NY (New York)

Hunter safety is important because it's proven to prevent accidents, promote ethical and legal hunting, support wildlife conservation, enhance skills and responsibility among hunters, and maintain positive public perception, a concept often introduced in basic hunter-trapper education and reinforced through safety classes.

In New York, due to state regulations and hunting laws, hunters aged 12 and older (unless they can provide proof of a prior license) are required to complete hunter education before purchasing 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 York.

  1. Complete an in-person course through the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Do not wait until just before the hunting season to take a course. In-person courses fill quickly, so it is important to sign up early. These courses are a minimum of 7 hours in length. 
  2. An online course through a  New York Department of Environmental Conservation exclusive partner for those 11 & older. These courses require you to read through the content, as well as watch some videos.
  3. 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 New York Department of Environmental Conservation website states that "New York State accepts Hunter Education Certificates from other states when purchasing a New York hunting license."

 

3 Easy Steps to get your AL Hunting License when using an IHEA-approved provider

  • Step 1: Complete our online-only, IHEA-approved hunter safety education course (Adults 17 and older only). No in-person field day is required for adults when taken through HunterSafetyUSA.
  • Step 2: Your permanent TPWD hunter education certificate (card) will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days and is valid for life and for use when hunting in New York, as well as all other 49 US States, Mexico, and Canada.
  • Step 3: You can now go buy your hunting license in NY or any other US State and hunt legally for life

We explain the steps in more detail below, but if you're ready to get started, head over to our online Hunter Education Course and complete it today! It's 3 hours of self-paced videos, no reading required. We are the only 100% video based course on the market.

 

Step 1: Hunter Safety Course for New York Hunters

HunterSafetyUSA 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.
  • 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 New York 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.

 

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 Course 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.

Tips for passing your final exam:

Every answer is covered during the course.

Our training program 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.

We provide study materials and you can quiz yourself at home. Repetition and real-world application (even dry-firing a toy gun or role-playing scenarios) help solidify learning.

 

Step 2: 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 New York), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.

You will receive this email from "TPWD Element LMS" when your permanent certificate is ready for download in approximately 3-4 business days. If you don't see the email within that time frame, please email us asap so we can make sure you get it.

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. If you lose it, you can always reprint or re-download it. Just reach out to us via email and we will help you.

 

Step 3: Where to buy your New York 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 York, you can purchase your license either online through the DECALS Online Licensing System or in person through a licensed agent. A complete directory of license-issuing agents is available on the DEC License Issuing Agents page.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in New York:

 

Why is Hunter Safety Important?

Hunter safety is important for several reasons, whether you're a bowhunter, using firearms, or considering ATV insurance to cover your hunting excursions:

  • Prevents Accidents and Injuries: Proper training, including basic hunter-trapper education, in firearm handling, safe shooting practices, and hunting techniques significantly reduces the likelihood of accidental shootings and other hunting-related injuries.
  • Ensures Ethical Hunting: Hunter safety education promotes responsible hunting ethics, including respect for wildlife, sustainable hunting practices, and adherence to laws and regulations.
  • Protects Wildlife and Conservation Efforts: Responsible hunters recognize the importance of conservation and manage wildlife populations sustainably, thereby helping to preserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem balance.
  • Builds Responsible and Skilled Hunters: Safety courses teach proper use, storage, and transportation of firearms, along with navigation, first aid, survival skills, and respectful interactions with other hunters, bowhunters, and landowners.
  • Legal Compliance: In most regions, completion of hunter safety courses is required to obtain a hunting license, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Enhances Public Perception: Safe and ethical hunting practices improve the public's perception of hunters, demonstrating responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Hunter safety, along with basic hunter-trapper, archery, and bowhunter education, fosters a culture of responsibility, ethical behavior, and environmental stewardship within the hunting community.

 

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 a New York State Hunter Safety course cost?

$29 with HunterSafetyUSA. 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 York?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by New York and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The  New York Department of Environmental Conservation website states that "New York State accepts Hunter Education Certificates from other states when purchasing a New York hunting license."

 

How to get a NYS hunting license online?

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a New York hunting license: