Effective December 15, 2010, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in Washington online course—the official hunter education course of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Official Washington Hunter Education Course

About the Course and Hunting License Requirements

In most states, hunters cannot hunt legally unless they have had some type of hunter education. In order to comply with Washington hunter education law, all individuals born after January 1, 1972 must show proof of basic hunter education training before purchasing a hunting license. There is currently no minimum age to purchase a hunting license in Washington State.

There are two study options:

Ten-hour classroom courses; or
Independent study through this online course, followed by a proctored exam. Upon passing the online Washington Hunter Exam, you will be eligible to register for the Range Evaluation Session. Call (360) 902-8111to register for a Range Evaluation Session.

Exemption for Military—Effective July 26, 2009, members of the United States military who bring a valid military identification card or a Form DD 214 are exempt from the skill training requirement (although they must attend the conservation and sportsmanship sections of the classroom/range evaluation session.) The law does not exempt U.S. military personnel from hunter education training —ONLY the skill component.