Maryland Hunter Safety Course—3 Easy Steps to Get Yours in 2026
In Maryland, all first-time hunters must show a "Certificate of Competency" (i.e., a hunter education card) showing proof of completing a hunter safety course before hunting.
Hunters in Maryland must understand the ethics of hunting and how to stay safe in the field. These safety essentials include tree stand safety, handling firearms and bows safely, animal identification, outdoor safety, why hunters wear blaze orange, and more.
So if you want to hunt in Maryland in 2026, keep reading to learn how to take the required Maryland hunter safety course. We'll also cover how to get your hunting license in three easy steps!
How to Get Your Maryland Hunter Education Card in 2026
Your proof of competency (with a few exceptions) is your hunter education card, showing that you've completed a hunter safety course. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requires it to get your hunting license in Maryland.
The State of Maryland offers two options for taking the course and getting certified.
Option 1: Take an In-person Class (Multi-Day)
If you are under 13, you must take the in-person course. However, this option is available to hunters of any age.
The course includes:
- Hunter education in a classroom setting
- A pass/fail Trail Walk
- A supervised range session
After the final session, you'll receive your Hunter Safety Certificate of Completion.
When choosing the in-person option, be sure to schedule and complete the course and exam ahead of the hunting season, so you have time to get your hunting license and plan your hunt.
Option 2: Take a Hybrid Course (Online with In-Person Field Day)
If the multi-day in-person commitment isn't ideal, the hybrid option is a convenient way to get your hunter education certification in Maryland! You'll start with the online course, then finish your certification with an in-person field day.
Take and complete the hunter education portion of the certification requirement through ilearntohunt!
Then, you'll take the exam and must pass with at least 80%. Once you've passed, you'll print the Field Day Qualifier Voucher in your student dashboard.
With your voucher, you'll schedule a day and time to complete your certification through one of the state's Field Day sessions. This session lasts 4–6 hours and will include:
- A review of the course material you learned through the online course, with an emphasis on tree stand safety.
- A 50-question multiple-choice test. Passing requires an 80% score.
- A pass/fail Trail Walk.
- A range session under supervision.
After completing both the online course and the Field Day, you'll receive your hunter education certificate.
How to Get Your Maryland Hunting License in 3 Easy Steps
With your ilearntohunt hunter education course complete, you're ready to get your hunting license!
Note: You'll only need to take and pass the hunter safety course once. Your certification is good for life!
Here are three easy steps for getting your hunting license in Maryland!
- Meet the MDNR Requirements for Hunter Education
Again, all first-time license buyers in Maryland must complete a state-approved hunter education course before purchasing a Maryland hunting license.
ilearntohunt makes it easy to meet this requirement, along with the in-person Field Day! Our course is approved by the MDNR. - Choose and Purchase the License You Need
Make sure you buy the right license based on what you plan to hunt. Maryland offers resident, nonresident, junior, apprentice, and senior lifetime licenses.
Then, purchase your license online through the MDOutdoors website, through the mail, or in-person at a DNR service center or through an approved license agent location. These locations include Title & Tag Service locations, Dicks Sporting Goods stores, Wal-Mart stores, and other locations like tackle and gun shops.
To order your license through the mail, download and print the application forms. Then, mail a check for the corresponding fee amount and mail it (with the forms) to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Service Center near you. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Hunters must carry a valid hunting license in the field (along with their hunter education card). If a wildlife official asks for your hunter education card or license, you'll need to show it.
If you also need tags for a legal hunt, make sure you tag your harvest properly.
How to Take the Maryland Hunter Safety Course Online
The easiest (and fastest) way to get your Maryland hunter safety course certification is to start with the ilearntohunt online course!
The ilearntohunt course:
- Is approved by the MDNR and International Hunter Education Association (IHEA).
- Is a game-style format. It's fun and educational for hunters of any age!
- Can be completed (quickly) in under 3 hours.
- Saves your progress (i.e., start and stop as needed).
- Is easy to take anywhere you can connect to the internet using a tablet, phone, or computer.
- Includes a character-driven story with real-life scenarios and quizzes to help you learn the required material.
- Allows unlimited attempts to pass the final exam. Score at least 80% on the exam to pass.
After completing the ilearntohunt course for Maryland, you'll print a Field Day Voucher to schedule the in-person session and complete your certification.
Why Hunter Safety Education is Important
Why take a hunter safety course? Why does Maryland require it?
The short answer: it helps keep you alive, keeps your hunting partners safe, and helps protect the future of hunting in Maryland.
When every hunter completes a state-approved course, we’re all working from the same playbook. We know how to handle our equipment safely, positively identify our target and what’s beyond it, respect both private and public land, and look out for one another in the field.
That shared responsibility helps protect our access, our reputation, and the future of hunting across Maryland.
Hunter education:
- Reduces accidents and injuries: Safe firearm handling, smart shooting decisions, and constant awareness save lives. The goal is simple and non-negotiable: everyone goes home at the end of the day.
- Builds capable, confident hunters: This goes well beyond the basics. You’ll learn navigation, first aid, survival skills, and how to use your gear the right way. You’ll also learn how to hunt around other people, and how to treat landowners, fellow hunters, and the land itself with respect.
- Promotes ethical, responsible hunting: Doing it right matters. Hunter education reinforces fair chase, respect for wildlife, and following the law so game populations stay strong and hunting traditions continue in Maryland.
- Keeps you legal: In Maryland (like most states), you need hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license. Knowing the rules keeps you out of trouble and keeps the playing field fair for everyone.
To be clear, hunter education protects hunters, passes down the skills and values that define the sport, and supports conservation. Whether you’re new to the woods or a seasoned hunter getting ready for the upcoming seasons, hunter education sets you up for safer, smarter, better hunts for life.
Why is it Important to Take a State-Specific Hunter Education Course?
Many states recognize hunter education certifications from other states. That’s called reciprocity. It’s convenient—but convenience doesn’t always cover everything you need to know that's specific to your state.
Every state runs hunts a little differently. Season dates, land access rules, regulations, and safety considerations can vary more than you think. Those details matter when you’re trying to stay legal and avoid problems in the field. What worked where you hunted before may not line up exactly with how things are done in Maryland.
Before assuming an out-of-state course (like one from Texas) has you fully covered, make sure you’re prepared to hunt here. A Maryland-approved hunter education course covers the state-specific rules and details you need to hunt legally, safely, and responsibly.
It only takes a few hours, and it’s time well spent for safer hunts, fewer risks, and better days in the field.
Why Choose ilearntohunt?
When you choose our course for the hunter education you need in Maryland, you learn everything required by the state in an online format that's fun and interactive.
Choosing ilearntohunt means:
- MDNR-Approved Hunter Safety Education: Our interactive course meets the hunter education requirements set by IHEA-USA and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
- No Minimum Time Requirements: There are no timers in our course! You can complete our interactive course faster than other traditional courses.
- Better Information Retention: Instruction that engages the brain with words and images can sharply increase student comprehension and retention.
- Real-Life Scenarios: Choose a character to start the course, then make choices in different scenarios to move through levels by applying what you’ve learned.
When you've worked through all the levels, passed the final exam, and completed your in-person Field-Day session, you've met the hunter safety education requirement for Maryland!
Get Your Hunter Safety Certification for Maryland with ilearntohunt!
Make sure you're ready for hunting season in Maryland! Take the ilearntohunt Maryland hunter safety course to get certified. You can't get your hunting license without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to the top questions about the Maryland hunter safety course!
Q: Can you take a hunter safety course online in Maryland?
A: Yes, you can take a hunter safety course online in Maryland to meet part of the state's requirements! The most convenient way to take the course is through MDNR-approved providers like ilearntohunt. Then, complete your certification with an in-person Field Day.
Q: Can you get a hunting license in Maryland without taking the safety course?
A: No, you must have proof of hunter education to buy a Maryland hunting license.
Q: How much is the hunter safety course in Maryland?
A: If you take the online, game-style hunter safety course for Maryland through ilearntohunt, the cost is $49.95. The in-person Field Day is provided through the MDNR free of charge.
Q: How long does the Maryland hunter safety course take?
A: The online Maryland hunter education course through ilearntohunt typically takes three hours (or less) to complete.
Q: When should I sign up for the Maryland hunter education course before hunting season?
A: We highly recommend signing up and completing the course at least several weeks before your planned hunt to receive your certification and avoid last-minute issues. Plan time to take the online course plus the 4–6 hour in-person Field Day.
