Where Can You Take the California Hunter Safety Course?
The California hunter safety course is available online at ilearntohunt.com, and is approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). You can complete the online portion on any device, at your own pace, from wherever you have an internet connection.
Finishing the online course only gets you halfway there, though: California also requires an in-person Follow-Up Class with a certified instructor at an approved location before you're certified.
Here's exactly where to find each piece of the California hunter safety course, from the online portal to your nearest Follow-Up Class.
Where Can You Find the California Hunter Safety Course?
California offers three ways to complete your hunter education requirements, and where you go depends on which path you choose.
You can take the online part of the course at ilearntohunt, where you can work through the material on your own schedule and on any device. However, if you'd rather skip the online portion, the CDFW's Traditional Course puts you in a classroom with a certified volunteer instructor for the entire requirement.
Note: If you complete the online course, you'll still need to locate and register for a Follow-Up Class through the CDFW's own registration system before you're certified.
Use the table below as a quick reference for where to register for each option.
Where to Find the California Hunter Safety Course | ||
Format | Register/Access | Notes |
Online | ilearntohunt California course | Self-paced, about 3 hours. |
In-Person (Traditional Course) | CDFW traditional course registration | Minimum 10 hours of classroom, homework, and field instruction. |
Follow-Up Class (Field Day) | CDFW Follow-Up Class registration | Required after the online course (4 hours, bring your voucher) |
Most states, including California, now let new hunters take the course online for at least part of their certification. If you'd rather understand the time commitment first, see how long the course takes before you register anywhere.
Who Needs to Take the California Hunter Safety Course?
California requires hunter education for anyone who has never held a California hunting license, doesn't already have a hunter education certificate, or hasn't held a hunting license from another state or province within the past two years.
There's no minimum age to take the online course, though younger students may find the material demanding without an instructor present.
You don't need to be a California resident to take the course. Once your Hunter Education Certificate is on file with the CDFW, it doesn't expire, so you won't need to complete the course again. After you're certified, check the CDFW's season dates before you head out.
How to Take Your California Hunter Safety Course
Getting certified in California means completing two separate steps in the right order, and knowing where to go for each one matters.
- Visit the ilearntohunt course for California to start the self-paced online course. Most students finish in about 3 hours.
- Print your Online Course Completion Voucher once you pass, since you'll need it as proof you finished the online portion.
- Register for and attend the required 4-hour Follow-Up Class with a certified instructor, where you'll complete a written exam and a hands-on skills check.
Bring your voucher to the Follow-Up Class, since you won't be admitted without it. Start your certification well ahead of the fall hunting season (or the season you plan to hunt), since Follow-Up Class spots can fill up fast as hunting season approaches.
Can You Attend the Follow-Up Class Before Finishing the Online Course?
No. California only grants access to the Follow-Up Class after you complete the online portion.
Registration confirms your Online Course Completion Voucher before you can sign up for a class near you.
How Much Does the California Hunter Safety Course Cost?
Costs for the California hunter safety course vary depending on which format you choose and who's running your Follow-Up Class, but budget for at least two separate fees: one for the online course and one for your in-person session. Here's a quick breakdown of what to expect.
Costs: California Hunter Safety Course | |
Course | Cost |
| ilearntohunt online course | $49.95 |
| Follow-Up Class | Typically around $10, set by the volunteer instructor |
| Traditional in-person course | Usually free. Some instructors charge a small materials fee. |
The online course fee covers your Online Course Completion Voucher. The Follow-Up Class fee goes directly to the certified instructor running your session, so confirm the exact amount when you register.
Start Your California Hunter Safety Course Online Today
Getting certified in California means visiting two places: ilearntohunt for your online coursework and a certified instructor for your Follow-Up Class.
Get started with the California hunter safety course, then look up your nearest Follow-Up Class to finish your hunter education certification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I take the California hunter safety course online?
A: Yes. The online portion of the California hunter safety course is available 24/7 at ilearntohunt.com and typically takes about 3 hours to complete. However, the online course alone doesn't earn you a Hunter Education Certificate.
Q: Do I need to attend an in-person class for the California hunter safety course?
A: Yes. California requires every hunter, regardless of age, to attend a 4-hour, in-person Follow-Up Class with a certified instructor after finishing the online course. There's no online-only path to hunter safety certification in California.
Q: Where do I register for the California Follow-Up Class?
A: You register for a California hunter education Follow-Up Class through the CDFW's official registration system, where you can search for available sessions near you. You must bring your Online Course Completion Voucher to be admitted.
Q: Do I need to be a California resident to take the hunter safety course?
A: No. You don't need to be a California resident to take the online hunter safety course or attend a Follow-Up Class. Nonresidents complete both steps the same way residents do.
Q: Does California accept hunter education certificates from other states?
A: Yes. California accepts hunter education certifications issued by other states, provinces, or countries that meet IHEA-USA standards. So, you likely won't need to retake the course if you're already certified elsewhere.
Q: Is there a fully online option for California hunter safety certification without a Follow-Up Class?
A: No. The CDFW discontinued its online-only hunter safety certification option. Every hunter now has to complete a Follow-Up Class in addition to the online course.
