Common questions about the hunter education/hunter safety course and exam, answered.
It varies by state — the IHEA-USA national standard requires a minimum of 50 questions on the core material, plus at least 10 state-specific questions in most states, so many exams run 50 to 60+ questions. Some states use exactly 50; others, like California, use around 100. Check your state wildlife agency for the exact number.
Also state-specific, typically between 75% and 80%. Our free practice test uses a 75% benchmark since that's the most common threshold, but always confirm your own state's exact passing score before test day.
Most online hunter education courses require a minimum of about 3-4 hours of course time before you're eligible to take the final exam, though total time varies by state and by how quickly you move through the material. Some states also require an in-person field day in addition to the online portion.
Course fees for the official state-approved online course typically range from about $10 to $50 depending on the state and provider. This practice test itself is free — it's a study tool, not the official certification course.
In most states, yes. A few states require a hybrid format — an online course plus a mandatory in-person field day or skills session — before you can certify. Check your state wildlife agency's requirements before assuming an online-only course will qualify you.
Policies vary by state and course provider, but most allow retakes, sometimes after reviewing the material again or waiting a short period. There is usually no limit on how many times you can retake a state-approved course's exam.
Hunter education is the general certification required in most states to hunt with any legal method. Several states (including New York, Michigan, and Colorado) require a separate bowhunter education certification specifically to hunt with a bow or crossbow, in addition to — not instead of — standard hunter education. Check your state's requirements if you plan to bowhunt.
Almost every state requires it for anyone born after a certain date — the exact cutoff varies widely (for example, some states set it decades ago, others more recently), and a few states exempt hunters above a certain age or allow a supervised "mentoring" alternative instead of certification. Check your state wildlife agency's website for your state's specific rule.
The International Hunter Education Association-USA sets the national standards that most state hunter education courses and exams are built on — including the topics covered and how the exam should be weighted across chapters like firearm safety, conservation, and field practices. This site's practice test follows the same chapter structure.
Ready to see how much you already know?
Take the free practice test