Which states don't require a field day for hunter education?

32 states don't require an in-person field day, allowing you to complete hunter education entirely online. These states include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, and 27 more.

What is the youngest age you can take hunter education?

Minimum ages vary by state, typically ranging from 9 to 12 years old. Some states have no minimum age requirement at all.

Which states offer free hunter education courses?

Most states charge between $10 and $35 for online hunter education. Some states offer free in-person classroom courses through their wildlife agency.

Hunter Education Requirements by State

A visual guide to hunter education requirements across all 50 U.S. states, updated for 2026. See which states offer online-only certification, which require an in-person field day, minimum ages, and costs at a glance.

Key Numbers

32 states do not require an in-person field day.
18 states require a field day after the online course.
21 states offer an online-only option above a minimum age.
All 50 states honor IHEA-USA reciprocity.

States Where You Can Get Certified Entirely Online

These 32 states do not require an in-person field day — complete the course online and you're done.

Alabama — no field day ($19.95–$29.95)
Arizona — no field day ($19.95–$29.95)
Arkansas — no field day ($19.95–$29.95)
Colorado — online only 17+ ($19.95–$29.95)
Georgia — no field day ($24.95–$29.95)
Idaho — no field day ($24.95–$29.95)
Illinois — online only 18+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Indiana — online only 18+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Iowa — online only 18+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Kansas — online only 18+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Louisiana — online only 16+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Maine — online only 16+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Minnesota — online only 16+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Mississippi — no field day ($24.95–$29.95)
Missouri — online only 16+ ($24.95–$29.95)
Montana — online only 18+ ($24.50)
Nebraska — online only 16+ ($24.95)
Nevada — online only 18+ ($24.95)
New Mexico — no field day ($24.95)
New York — no field day ($24.95)
North Carolina — online only 16+ ($24.95)
Ohio — online only 17+ ($24.95)
Oklahoma — no field day ($24.95)
Oregon — online only 18+ ($24.95)
Pennsylvania — online only 16+ ($24.95)
South Carolina — no field day ($24.95)
South Dakota — online only 16+ ($24.95)
Tennessee — no field day ($24.95)
Texas — online only 17+ ($24.95)
Vermont — online only 18+ ($24.95)
Virginia — online only 17+ ($24.95)
Wisconsin — online only 18+ ($24.95)

States Requiring an In-Person Field Day

These 18 states require an in-person field day after completing the online course.

Alaska ($19.95–$34.95)
California — min age 12 ($24.95–$34.95)
Connecticut — min age 10 ($19.95–$34.95)
Delaware — min age 10 ($19.95–$34.95)
Florida — min age 12 ($19.95–$34.95)
Hawaii — min age 10 ($24.95–$29.95)
Kentucky ($24.95–$29.95)
Maryland — min age 13 ($24.95–$29.95)
Massachusetts ($24.95–$29.95)
Michigan — min age 12 ($24.95–$29.95)
New Hampshire — min age 12 ($24.95)
New Jersey — min age 10 ($24.95)
North Dakota — min age 12 ($24.95)
Rhode Island ($29.50)
Utah ($29.50)
Washington ($29.50)
West Virginia ($29.50)
Wyoming ($29.50)

Data sourced from state wildlife agencies and IHEA-USA. Last updated March 2026. See the full comparison table or browse all states.