How Long Is the Arizona Hunter Safety Course?
The Arizona hunter safety course through ilearntohunt usually takes under 3 hours to finish online. It's self-paced and approved by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), so students can log in and out as their schedule allows.
Arizona handles hunter education differently than most states. Instead of a birth-year cutoff that applies to everyone, the requirement only kicks in for younger hunters going after big game, and a field day afterward is optional rather than mandatory.
Here's a closer look at how long the Arizona course takes and what to expect once you finish it.
Who Needs to Take the Arizona Hunter Safety Course?
Arizona only requires hunter education for hunters ages 10 through 13 who plan to hunt big game.
Anyone 14 or older can hunt in Arizona, including big game, without ever completing a course.
Students can start the course as early as age 9, even though the hunting requirement itself doesn't apply until age 10. Youth can also enter the big game draw before finishing hunter education, but they need to complete it before their actual hunt takes place.
Note that the online course is limited to Arizona residents. Nonresidents in the 10-13 age range, or anyone who prefers a classroom setting, can take the in-person Classroom Course instead, which is open to residents and nonresidents alike.
Once certified, your Certificate of Completion doesn't expire, and Arizona accepts hunter education certifications earned in other states.
What's Included in the Arizona Hunter Safety Course?
The ilearntohunt online course walks students through everything AZGFD requires for certification. You'll cover:
- Firearm and bow handling
- Hunting ethics and responsibility
- Wildlife identification and conservation
- Game care and first aid
- Tree stand safety
- Arizona hunting regulations
Material is presented in short, interactive modules with built-in quizzes. At the end, you'll take a final exam requiring an 80% score to pass, with two attempts allowed before you'd need to restart the course.
Visit the AZGFD Hunter Education page for the department's complete requirements.
How Long Does Each Course Format Take?
How long it takes to get certified in Arizona comes down to which format you pick and whether you add the optional field day.
Arizona Hunter Safety Course: Timeframe by Format | ||
Format | Time | Notes |
Online-only course | About 3 hours | Self-paced. Arizona residents only, ages 9+. Field day optional afterward. |
Classroom Course | Full day | In-person, includes a hands-on field day. Open to residents and nonresidents ages 9+. |
Because the field day isn't required after the online course, most Arizona students finish faster online than they would in the Classroom Course. If you'd rather get hands-on practice or need the nonresident option, the Classroom Course covers everything in one sitting.
To learn more about both types of hunter education classes, see how the online and in-person courses compare.
How to Get Hunter Safety Certified in Arizona
If you qualify for the online course, here's how to wrap it up:
- Start the ilearntohunt online course. Go to the ilearntohunt Arizona course page and confirm you meet the age and residency requirements before you begin.
- Work through the modules at your own pace. Most students finish in under 3 hours, though you can spread it across multiple sessions.
- Pass the final exam and print your certificate. You'll need an 80% score, with two attempts available. Once you pass, your Certificate of Completion is ready immediately.
If you'd like the hands-on field day experience even though it's optional, you can still register for one after finishing the online course.
When Do I Need to Get Certified?
Since the hunter education requirement in Arizona only applies to hunters ages 10-13 pursuing big game, timing depends more on the draw calendar than a license renewal cycle. Courses need to be completed 30 days ahead of a draw deadline for the bonus point tied to hunter education to count for that draw.
There's no expiration on your certificate once you've earned it, so completing it early gives you flexibility for future draws and hunts.
Check the AZGFD hunting regulations page for current season dates and draw deadlines.
Start Your Arizona Hunter Safety Course Online Today
Most Arizona hunters get certified in under 3 hours online, with no field day required afterward. If hunter education applies to you or your young hunter, start early to stay ahead of draw deadlines and opening day.
Take the Arizona hunter safety course with ilearntohunt to move one step closer to your hunting license.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long does the Arizona hunter safety course take online?
A: The online Arizona hunter safety course usually takes under 3 hours to complete. Since it's self-paced, you can finish it in one sitting or break it up over several sessions.
Q: Is there an in-person field day required for the Arizona hunter safety course?
A: No, Arizona doesn't require a field day. However, a field day is available after the online course, but it isn't required to earn your certification in Arizona. You're fully certified once you pass the final exam online.
Q: Who actually needs to take the Arizona hunter safety course?
A: Only hunters ages 10 through 13 who plan to hunt big game are required to complete hunter education in Arizona. Anyone 14 or older can hunt without a course, and anyone under 10 isn't yet eligible to hunt big game.
Q: Is there a minimum age to take the Arizona hunter safety course online?
A: Yes. You must be at least 9 years old to take the online hunter safety course for Arizona, even though the hunting requirement itself doesn't begin until age 10.
Q: Can nonresidents take the Arizona hunter safety course online?
A: No. The online hunter education course is limited to Arizona residents. Nonresidents who need certification must complete the in-person Classroom Course instead.
Q: What score do I need to pass the Arizona hunter safety course?
A: You need to score at least 80% on the final exam to pass the Arizona hunter safety course. You get two attempts to pass before you'd need to restart the course from the beginning.
