Alaska Hunter Education Course Online

Alaska requires all first-time hunters to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license. In Alaska, you must complete an online course and attend an in-person field day. The course is approved by Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) and certified by IHEA-USA. The typical cost is $19.95–$34.95.

Find Your Alaska Course

Who Needs Hunter Education in Alaska?

All first-time hunters must complete an approved hunter education course, including a mandatory field day, before purchasing a hunting license.

Alaska's vast wilderness demands strong safety and survival skills.

Course Options

Alaska requires all hunter education students to attend an in-person field day. You can complete the classroom portion online before attending the field day, or take the entire course in person.

Important: The online course alone does not certify you in Alaska. You must attend a mandatory field day to receive your certification.

How to Get Certified (Step by Step)

1. Choose your course format. You can complete the classroom portion online and then attend a mandatory field day, or take the entire course in person. Either way, a field day is required in Alaska.
2. Complete the coursework. The online portion is self-paced and covers firearm safety, wildlife identification, hunting laws, ethics, and survival skills. Most students finish in 4 to 6 hours, though you can take breaks and return where you left off.
3. Pass the final exam. A minimum passing score is required. Online providers generally allow retakes, so if you do not pass on the first attempt, you can review the material and try again.
4. Attend the mandatory field day. Register for a field day through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The session includes hands-on skills practice, a live-fire exercise, and a written exam. Bring your online completion certificate and any required safety equipment.
5. Receive your certificate. After passing, you can print a temporary certificate immediately. Your permanent hunter education certification will be on file with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG).
6. Purchase your hunting license. With certification complete, purchase your Alaska hunting license through the ADFG or at an authorized license retailer.

What the Course Covers

Every ADFG-approved hunter education course — regardless of format — covers the same core topics:

• Firearm safety and handling — safe carry positions, loading and unloading procedures, muzzle control, and secure storage practices
• Ammunition and ballistics — selecting the correct ammunition for your firearm and intended game, understanding range and trajectory
• Wildlife identification — recognizing Alaska game species, non-game animals, and protected species to prevent misidentification in the field
• Hunting laws and regulations — Alaska seasons, bag limits, legal hunting methods, restricted areas, and tagging requirements
• Ethics and responsible hunting — fair chase principles, landowner relations, and the hunter's role in conservation
• Survival and first aid — preparation for unexpected situations, navigation basics, and wilderness first aid fundamentals
• Treestand safety — proper setup, fall-arrest harness use, and climbing procedures

The final exam tests your understanding of these topics. It is designed to confirm competency in safe and legal hunting practices, not to trick you.

Costs and Fees

Hunter education certification in Alaska is valid for life. There is no renewal requirement and no expiration date.

Out-of-State Hunters and Reciprocity

Visiting Alaska to hunt: If you already hold a valid, IHEA-approved hunter education certificate from any U.S. state or Canadian province, Alaska recognizes it. You do not need to retake the course.

Using a Alaska certificate in another state: Because Alaska certification is IHEA-approved, it is accepted in every U.S. state and Canadian province through reciprocity.

Note that Alaska requires a field day for all students. If you prefer to complete your hunter education entirely online, several other states offer online-only certification that is valid nationwide through reciprocity. See our guide to online hunter education by state for options.

About the Alaska Hunter Education Program

Alaska hunter education is administered by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG). The program is accredited by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA), the recognized standard for hunter education across North America.

The program is federally funded in part through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which directs excise taxes on firearms and ammunition toward wildlife conservation and hunter education. Certified volunteer instructors teach courses across Alaska each year.

IHEA-Approved — Valid Across the U.S. Courses must be approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA) to be recognized nationwide.

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