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Hunter Education

Successful completion of a Firearm Hunter Education course is required for all Nebraska hunters age 12 through 29 who hunt any species with a firearm or air gun. Additionally, Bowhunter Education is required for all Nebraska hunters age 12 through 29 who hunt deer, elk, antelope or mountain sheep with bow and arrow or crossbow.

Hunters must carry proof of successful completion of a hunter education course while hunting. Proof may be in the form of a valid permit containing the hunters’ Firearm Hunter Education or Bowhunter Education number, or a Hunter Education card or certificate issued by a recognized state or provincial agency.

Hunters of any age, whether required to or not, are welcome and encouraged to take a hunter education course to become familiar with the principles of hunter safety.

Hunters younger than the age of 12 who have not yet completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by licensed hunter age 19 or older. If the accompanying hunter is 19 to 29 years old, he or she must have completed hunter education and carry proof of successful completion while hunting.

View the hunter requirements chart for more information on required education, permits and stamps.

Courses

Nebraska offers both online and traditional classroom courses. To find the class that’s right for you, click on the tab that corresponds with your age below; registration links will be available for the appropriate courses for each age range. If you already know which class you would like to take, you can register using the links below:

Find a Traditional Classroom Course
Online Firearm and Bowhunter Combination Course
Online Course for Bowhunter Education

Certification options

The following options are available for the noted age groups:

Age 10 and under

Hunters younger than the age of 12 who have not yet completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by a licensed hunter age 19 or older. If the accompanying hunter is 19 to 29 years old, he or she must have completed education and carry proof of successful completion while hunting. Nebraska Hunter Education Certificates cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 11.

Age 11 to 15

Students 11 to 15 years old may obtain their Hunter Education certificates through a full classroom course or an online course plus hunt safe session. The student must be 11 years old to take the Hunter Education test. Nebraska Hunter Education certificates cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 11.

Traditional classroom courses

Traditional classroom courses are a minimum of 8 hours of instruction and demonstration focused on safe firearm use and/or archery equipment use, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics, game identification, and conservation management, followed by a multiple choice test. A score of 85% or better must be achieved on the test to receive a Hunter Education certificate. Classroom courses are offered state-wide, free of charge.

*Some instructors may offer dual classes covering both Firearm Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education. Students who register for dual classes must attend all sessions regardless of any hunter education certificates they may have obtained previously.

Online courses and Hunt Safe Sessions

In 2015, Nebraska Game and Parks began offering a new online course option. The online courses are designed to be completed over a period of six to eight hours, allowing students to work at their own pace. There is no time limit for completing the course. Game and Parks recommends that students age 11 to 15 complete the course with the assistance of a parent.

The Hunt Safe Session is a two-hour review focusing on equipment safety for both firearms and archery, tree stand safety and shoot/don’t shoot scenarios. A vendor fee will be charged for each online course and is requested at the time of course completion. Hunt Safe Sessions are offered state-wide, free of charge.

*Hunt Safe Sessions cover both firearm and archery equipment safety in on session. Therefore, a student may obtain both a Firearm Hunter Education certificate and a Bowhunter Education certificate by attending one Hunt Safe Session if they complete both online courses. Students cannot attend a Hunt Safe Session until they have successfully completed one of the online courses. Certificates of online completion must be presented at the beginning of class.

If there are no scheduled classes in your area you may signup to receive a notification of the next class advertised in your community.

Age 16 to 29

Students 16 to 29 years old may obtain their hunter education certificates through a full classroom course or an online course. Attending a Hunt Safe Session after completing an online course is optional for this age group.

Traditional classroom courses

Traditional classroom courses are a minimum of 8 hours of instruction and demonstration focused on safe firearm use and/or archery equipment use, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics, game identification, and conservation management, followed by a multiple choice test. A score of 85% or better must be achieved on the test to receive a Hunter Education certificate. Classroom courses are offered state-wide, free of charge.

*Some instructors may offer dual classes covering both Firearm Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education. Students who register for dual classes must attend all sessions regardless of any hunter education certificates they may have obtained previously.

Online courses and Hunt Safe Sessions

In 2015, Nebraska Game and Parks began offering a new online course option. The online courses are designed to be completed over a period of six to eight hours, allowing students to work at their own pace. Students age 16-29 years old who successfully complete an online course are welcome to attend a Hunt Safe Session, but it is not a requirement.

The Hunt Safe Session is a two-hour review focusing on equipment safety for both firearms and archery, tree stand safety and shoot/don’t shoot scenarios. Hunt Safe Sessions are offered across the state. A vendor fee will be charged for each online course and is requested at the time of course completion. Hunt Safe Sessions are offered state-wide, free of charge.

*Hunt Safe Sessions cover both firearm and archery equipment safety in one session. Therefore, a student may obtain both a Firearm Hunter Education certificate and a Bowhunter Education certificate by attending one Hunt Safe Session if they complete both online courses prior to attending the required review. Students cannot register for a Hunt Safe Session until they have successfully completed either one or both online courses.

If there are no scheduled classes in your area you may signup to receive a notification of the next class advertised in your community.

Age 30 and older

Students 30 years of age and older are not required to take Hunter Education in order to hunt in Nebraska. However, those 30 years of age or older who wish to receive Hunter Education instruction before hunting in Nebraska, or who are required to take Hunter Education in order to hunt in another state have two options:

Traditional classroom courses

Traditional classroom courses are a minimum of 8 hours of instruction and demonstration focused on safe firearm use and/or archery equipment use, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics, game identification, and conservation management, followed by a multiple choice test. A score of 85% or better must be achieved on the test to receive a Hunter Education certificate. Classroom courses are offered state-wide, free of charge.

*Some instructors may offer dual classes covering both Firearm Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education. Students who register for dual classes must attend all sessions regardless of any hunter education certificates they may have obtained previously.

Online courses and optional Hunt Safe Sessions

In 2015, Nebraska Game and Parks began offering a new online course option. The online courses are designed to be completed over a period of six to eight hours, allowing students to work at their own pace. Students 30 years of age or older who successfully complete an online course are welcome to attend a Hunt Safe Session, but it is not a requirement.

The Hunt Safe Session is a two-hour review focusing on equipment safety for both firearms and archery, tree stand safety and shoot/don’t shoot scenarios. Hunt Safe Sessions are offered across the state. A vendor fee will be charged for each online course and is requested at the time of course completion. Hunt Safe Sessions are offered state-wide, free of charge.

*Hunt Safe Sessions cover both firearm and archery equipment safety in one session. Therefore, a student may obtain both a Firearm Hunter Education certificate and a Bowhunter Education certificate by attending one Hunt Safe Session if they complete both online courses prior to attending the required review. Students cannot register for a Hunt Safe Session until they have successfully completed either one or both online courses.

If there are no scheduled classes in your area you may signup to receive a notification of the next class advertised in your community.

Other Hunter Education resources

Print your Hunter Education Certificate or Card

All Nebraska hunters age 12 through 29 must carry proof of successful completion of a Firearm Hunter Education course if they are hunting any species with a firearm or air gun. Additionally, all Nebraska hunters age 12 through 29 must carry proof of successful completion of a Bowhunter Education course while hunting deer, elk, antelope or mountain sheep with bow and arrow or crossbow.

How to print:
Replacement certificates and cards are no longer sent to students. You may print a copy of your certificate from our permit website.

For instructions on how to print your permanent hunter education certificate(s), view or download this step-by-step guide.

Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate

Anyone age 12 or older who has not completed a Firearm Hunter Education and/or Bowhunter Education course may obtain an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate. This certificate provides novice hunters an opportunity to hunt and receive training from experienced hunters before completing a hunter education course. The certificate may be obtained once in a lifetime – it expires on December 31, and may be renewed once to complete a full year.

All hunters using this exemption certificate must be accompanied – within unaided verbal and visual communication – at all times while hunting, by a licensed hunter age 19 or older. If the accompanying hunter is 19-29 years old, he or she must have completed a hunter education course and carry proof of successful completion while hunting.

The cost of an Apprentice Hunter Education Certificate is $5. Visit our permit website to apply for your certificate.

Developmental Disability Hunter Exemption Certificate

Any person who has a developmental disability may apply for exemption from hunter education requirements. A person who has a developmental disability must complete the below application and have it signed by a physician indicating that the person who has a developmental disability is at all times capable of understanding and following directions given by another person and that the person is not a danger to themselves or others while engaged in hunting with a firearm. Applications must be sent to the Commission and approved prior to the hunter education exemption being issued.

Developmental Disability Hunter Education Exemption Application

Youth Hunter Education Challenge

The Youth Hunter Education Challenge provides a fun environment for youth that have graduated a hunter education course to improve their hunting, marksmanship and safety skills. Participants will receive hands-on training from certified instructors in six skill areas, giving them expertise in all methods of take and all types of game.

August 13, 2023 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Platte River State Park
Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex

Registration opens on June 12. Find more information and register HERE.

Hunter Education volunteer instructors

Resources for volunteer instructors

The following resources are available to our Hunter Education volunteer instructors.

Currently certified instructors

Become an instructor

Experienced hunters who are passionate about safety and sharing their love of the sport are invited to apply to become hunter education instructors. Learn more and apply using the resources below.