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.
Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a North Carolina hunting license:
- Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
- Step 2: Select your license type
- Step 3: Buy your North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.
NC Hunter Education Certification
Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.
We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA approved course. Your TPWD issued permanent hunter education certificate (card) can be used to purchase your hunting license in all 50 US States, Mexico and Canada (including in North Carolina from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)).
After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.
We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including North Carolina), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.
Select Your NC Hunting License
North Carolina offers a variety of hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences. Additional privilege licenses and stamps may be required to hunt specific game species.
North Carolina residents and non-residents under 16 years of age are not required to have a hunting license if they hunt with a licensed adult or have completed hunter education certification.
North Carolina residents born on or before Aug. 1, 1953, may purchase the reduced-fee Senior Sportsman License, which includes affordable fees, when they turn 65 years of age. Those born after Aug. 1, 1953, may purchase the license when they turn 70 years of age. This is a lifetime license.
All lifetime licenses (available to all ages & both residents & nonresidents) include appropriate big game and waterfowl privileges; bear e-stamp & federal duck stamp still required annually.
Below is an overview of the primary license types available (note: fishing licenses are separate):
Resident Licenses
A resident is a person who has lived in North Carolina for at least 6 months or established a permanent residence for 60 days. Non-resident students who attend an institution in North Carolina and active-duty military members are considered residents. All North Carolina residents age 16 or older must have a resident hunting license.
North Carolina residents with severe physical disabilities may be eligible for disability licenses.
- Annual State Hunting License: Required for residents aged 16 and older. Covers small game; does not include big game, game lands, or waterfowl.
- Annual Comprehensive Hunting License: Includes big game (deer, bear, turkey), small game, and game lands access. Waterfowl and bear hunting require separate endorsements.
- Sportsman License (Hunting + Inland Fishing): Covers everything in the Comprehensive license + inland fishing. Excludes federal duck stamp and coastal fishing.
- Unified Sportsman License: Adds coastal recreational fishing to the Sportsman license.
- Controlled Hunting Preserve License: For residents only, a permit is required for hunting or trapping in licensed preserves.
Non-Resident Licenses
All non-residents age 16 or older must have a non-resident hunting license.
- Annual Hunting License: Required for all non-residents aged 16 and older.
- 10-Day Hunting License: Covers hunting for 10 consecutive days.
- Big Game Privilege License: Required for hunting deer, turkey, or bear.
- Non-Resident Bear License: Additional license required to hunt bear.
Youth Licenses & Requirements
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Under Age 16: Do not need a license when accompanied by a licensed adult. If hunting big game, must obtain a free license-exempt Big Game Harvest Report Card.
Senior Licenses & Discounts
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Senior Lifetime Sportsman License: For residents born on/before Aug 1, 1953 (eligible at 65)
: For those born after Aug 1, 1953 (eligible at 70)
: Covers hunting (incl. big game), inland fishing, game lands, and waterfowl -
Senior Unified Lifetime License: Adds coastal fishing
Disability & Military Licenses
- Disabled Veteran Sportsman License: 50%+ service-connected disability
- Totally Disabled Sportsman License: Permanent total disability (non-military)
- Resident Military on Leave (≤30 days): May hunt without a license
Must carry military ID & leave papers
Still need big game tags & bear e-stamp if applicable
Required Endorsements & Tags
- Big Game Privilege License: Required for deer, turkey, and bear
- Bear Management E-Stamp: Required annually for bear hunting
- Bonus Antlerless Deer Tags: Available for select urban archery zones
- NC Waterfowl Privilege (Duck Stamp): Required for waterfowl hunting (age 16+)
- Federal Duck Stamp: Required for waterfowl (age 16+)
- HIP Certification: Required for migratory bird hunting
Hunting licenses are good for 12 months from the date of purchase. Both North Carolina residents and non-residents are able to purchase a lifetime hunting license.
Where to buy your North Carolina Hunting License
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) 212-6163
- Bass Pro Shops – Concord, NC Address: 8181 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027 Phone: (704) 979-2200
- Dunham’s Sports – Sanford, NC Address: 3000 S Horner Blvd, Sanford, NC 27332 Phone: (919) 718-7855
- Academy Sports + Outdoors – Greensboro, NC Address: 4526 W Wendover Ave, Greensboro, NC 27409 Phone: (336) 291-4000
- Dick's Sporting Goods – Charlotte, NC Address: 4325 Barclay Downs Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209 Phone: (704) 972-9400
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 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 North Carolina?
Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by North Carolina and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website states that "certification is accepted in every state and province in North America."