How to Get Your 2026 Alabama Hunter Education Online in 3 Easy Steps
Ready to hunt in Alabama this season? Remember that the state requires all hunters born on or after August 1, 1977, to complete a hunter education course.
The information you'll learn through a state-approved hunter safety course helps you stay safe and protect others in the field. Hunters learn proper firearm handling, tree stand safety, why hunters wear blaze orange for hunts, the hunting laws for your state, and more.
So, if you're planning a hunt in Alabama in 2026, keep reading to learn how to get your hunter education certification and hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in Alabama?
All hunters born on or after August 1, 1977, must pass a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education certificate in Alabama.
This certification is required for hunters 16 years old and older before purchasing a hunting license. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) offers three options for hunter education that meet this requirement.
1. Take the Free Online Course Through NRAHE
Hunters can take a free online course offered through the NRA. This course helps hunters learn how to be responsible and safe members of the hunting community.
You must be at least 10 years old to take this course. Successfully completing the course means you'll receive your hunter education certification.
2. Take an Online Course Through an Approved Provider
The State of Alabama also partners with approved online hunter education providers, including Hunter-Ed! Work through the course text, videos, and animations to learn hunter safety essentials.
Pass the unit quizzes and final exam, then print your Alabama hunter education certificate.
3. Take an In-Person Course
If you prefer an in-person, classroom setting, take the traditional hunter education course.
It's offered free to hunters ages 10 and older and includes at least eight hours of classroom instruction. You must also pass a written exam.
After completing the classroom session and exam, you'll earn your hunter education card.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2026 Alabama Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your Alabama hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all hunters born on or after August 1, 1977, must complete a hunter education course before hunting in Alabama.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that through our course approved by the ADCNR! - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Choose from recreational resident, non-resident, all game, small game, 65+, disabled, lifetime, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the Alabama Interactive website or in person through a license agent. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Make sure you carry a valid hunting license and any necessary tags, stamps, or permits for every hunt.
Next, let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the Alabama Hunter Education Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification in Alabama is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
The Hunter-Ed course:
- Is available anywhere you can connect to the internet using a phone, computer, or tablet.
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and ADCNR.
- Provides free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the quizzes.
- Can be completed in about 3 hours.
- Includes illustrations, games, animations, videos, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. Score at least 80% on the quizzes and 70% on the final exam to pass.
- Allows you to work at your own pace and start and stop as needed.
- Is available in English and Spanish.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certificate
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing the final exam, you've met the hunter education requirements for Alabama!
In your Hunter-Ed student portal, print your Hunter Education Certificate. You can hunt right away with your printed card.
Your Hunter Education Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your hunter safety card is a crucial document, so keep it safe. Always carry it when you hunt (along with your hunting license). Be prepared to show it to wildlife officials if they ask for it during a hunt.
If you lose your card, visit the ilostmycard website to order a replacement card before hunting season begins. You can also print a replacement card from your Hunter-Ed student dashboard.
Step 3: Where to Get Your Alabama Hunting License in 2026
Your Alabama hunter safety course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Remember: you'll need a new hunting license every year, unless you have a lifetime license. Your Alabama hunting license expires every year on August 31.
Buy an Alabama Hunting License Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This can be particularly convenient if you don't live close to a retail location, or you plan to hunt in Alabama while you're a resident of another state.
Buy In Person at a License Agent
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the State of Alabama has plenty of locations that offer hunting licenses. Many sporting goods stores, probate offices, county commissioner officers, bait and tackle shops, gas stations, Wal-Marts, and other locations sell hunting licenses.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Before you buy a tag or head for the woods, a hunter education course makes sure you’re truly prepared. Whether it’s your first season or you’ve been hunting for decades, it’s a practical way to stay sharp and make sure you’re doing things the right way.
Hunter education covers what matters most in the field: safe firearm handling and sound decision-making in real hunting situations. It’s clear, hands-on knowledge that helps protect you, your partners, and everyone else out there. The goal is simple—everyone gets home safely.
You’ll also pick up skills you’ll actually use, from navigating in and out of hunting areas to basic first aid and handling the unexpected outdoors. Just as important, hunter education reinforces respect for landowners, fellow hunters, and the wildlife we’re fortunate to pursue.
At its heart, hunter education is about responsibility and ethics: protecting the resource and keeping the hunting tradition strong for the next generation.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Many states recognize hunter education “reciprocity.” This means a valid hunter education card from another state is often accepted. That can be a real advantage if you’ve already completed a course and plan to hunt in states other than your home state.
A course taken in another state won’t cover Alabama’s seasons, rules, access considerations, or safety requirements. And those details matter once you’re in the field.
Before relying on an course specific to another state, consider completing Alabama’s hunter education course. It’s a worthwhile effort that helps ensure you’re hunting legally, safely, and with confidence when it counts.
Hunters get more with Hunter-Ed.
You get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers the essentials hunt safely (while meeting the ADCNR's requirements). Plus, you also get access to Hunter Perks.
Hunter Perks is an exclusive offering from Hunter-Ed, and it's completely free for students!
As soon as you purchase your course, you unlock complete access to:
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Links to informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning about how to be a better hunter.
- Digital Hunting Tools: Hunter-proven resources at a discount (including app subscriptions) to help you hunt better.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Find additional courses offered at a discount to help you learn about more aspects of hunting.
- Hunting Regulations: Links to stay updated on the hunting regulations for Alabama each year.
Plus, your Hunter Perks include discounts on gear and contests to win free stuff, so you have everything you need for great hunts (while saving money).
Get Hunter Safety Certified in Alabama with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the Alabama hunter education course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about the Alabama hunter education certification!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in Alabama?
Yes, you need hunter education in Alabama to hunt legally if you were born on or after August 1, 1977.
Q: Can you take the Alabama Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take the Alabama hunter safety course online as part of the state's requirements. Hunter-Ed is an approved online course!
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Sign up for your hunter education course to complete it at least a few weeks before your hunting season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify for hunter safety every season. Your Alabama hunter education course covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in the state after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is valid for life!
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Get My Hunter Education Certification?
When taking the course through Hunter-Ed, the course fee is $39.95. This cost includes the course and study guide, unlimited tries to pass the final exam, your hunter education card, and Hunter Perks.
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the required Hunter Education certification can result in penalties, including fines. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
