How to Get Your 2025 Hunter Education Course NJ in 3 Easy Steps
Hunting in New Jersey is a long-standing tradition that connects residents to the state’s diverse wetlands, forests, and coastal habitats. Hunters pursue wild game, including as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and small game across a mix of public and private lands.
With the state's many opportunities to hunt throughout the year comes the responsibility of practicing hunter safety, including understanding the state's hunting laws, proper firearm handling, wearing blaze orange for visibility, and more.
In New Jersey, you need hunter safety education if you are a resident of the state, at least ten years old, and have not yet completed a hunter education course (or cannot provide documentation that you've completed a course in the past).
So, if you're planning a hunt in 2025 (and looking ahead to 2026), keep reading to learn how to take your hunter education course NJ and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires all hunters ages 10 and older to complete a hunter safety course (if you have not completed one before) to get a hunter education card.
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW) offers two options for residents and non-residents to get certified and hunt legally in the state.
1. Take the Free Online Course and Live Fire Range Session (Residents)
If you are a New Jersey resident, you can take the free online course offered through HUNTERcourse (a Hunter-Ed partner). After passing the course, you'll then print a "Home Study Voucher" to attend an in-person Live Fire Range session.
The Range session is specific to the discipline you plan to pursue:
Note that Live Fire sessions take place only during the months of March through November each year. Plan ahead to make sure you complete your course requirements in time for the season you plan to hunt.
After completing the Live Fire session and passing the written exam, you'll receive your hunter education card.
2. Pass a Hunter Education Course for Your State (Non-Residents)
Non-residents planning to hunt in New Jersey can complete the hunter education course for their state and provide proof of that certification. Out-of-state hunters will also need to get a NJ Conservation Identification Number (NJ CID) to get a hunting license.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2025 New Jersey Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your New Jersey hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Again, if you have not yet completed a hunter education course and are at least ten years old, you must complete the requirements for hunter education in New Jersey. - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. New Jersey offers resident and nonresident firearms licenses, youth, apprentice, veteran, National Guard, and other types of hunting licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the NJDFW website or from approved agents. - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
Always carry your license when hunting. If you also need tags, permits, or stamps (for bear, deer, turkey, quail, etc.), make sure you have those with you, too.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the New Jersey Hunter Education Course
Residents can take the approved online HUNTERcourse for New Jersey hunters. Then, schedule your firearm or bowhunting Live Fire session (in-person).
Use the New Jersey hunter safety course study guide from Hunter-Ed as a resource to learn more about hunter safety.
Step 2: Attend a Live Fire Session and Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course, finish your certification by attending the required in-person Live Fire session through the state. Depending on how you plan to hunt, you'll choose a Firearm or Bowhunting session.
Again: make sure you complete the course and all sessions before hunting season begins! The NJDFW only offers these sessions from March through November each year.
Once you've completed the online course, passed the final exam, and attended a Live Fire session, you'll receive your certification.
Your Card is Your Proof of Certification
Remember: Your hunter education card is proof that you completed the course and exam and understand how to hunt safely in New Jersey. Take good care of it and store it safely between hunting seasons.
Always carry your hunter education card when you hunt as proof that you completed the hunter education course NJ requirements. When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask to see your hunting license and safety certification, and you must have them readily available.
Step 3: Where to Get Your NJ Hunting License in 2025
Your NJ hunter safety course is now behind you. You're ready to get your hunting license and hunt!
Remember that you'll need a new hunting license every year. In New Jersey, licenses expire on December 31 each year. So, Last year's NJ hunting license isn't valid this year.
As you plan what you want to hunt this year, make sure you research carefully and purchase the correct license to hunt legally.
Buy Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This option can be especially convenient if you don't live close to a retailer or you plan to hunt in New Jersey as a nonresident.
Buy from an Approved Agent
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the state of New Jersey offers plenty of retail locations offering 2025-2026 hunting licenses.
Use this resource to find a retailer near you. In general, most town clerk offices, Dick's Sporting Goods stores, outfitters, Wal-Mart stores, and other locations like bait and tackle shops offer hunting licenses in New Jersey.
Why is Hunter Education Important?
Hunter education is a crucial part of responsible hunting. Whether you're a new hunter or a seasoned hunter, it's crucial to be a student of the sport and committed to safety.
Hunter education does the following:
- Ensures safe, legal hunting by requiring participants to learn state laws and regulations
- Builds essential skills (including firearm safety, navigation, first aid, and tree stand use) while promoting respect for others and the environment
- Helps prevent accidents
- Encourages ethical, sustainable practices that protect wildlife and support future generations of hunters
To be a better hunter, start with hunter education to build your skills, strategies, and safety best practices.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Some states accept hunter safety certifications from other states. It's known as "reciprocity."
However, if you haven't taken a course that's specific to the state you plan to hunt (for example, taking the New Jersey hunter safety course for hunting in New Jersey), you could miss critical information about hunting in that specific state.
So, before assuming that "one course works in any state," take the New Jersey-specific course (approved by the state) to get certified!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in New Jersey
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the hunter education course NJ. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Use the Free New Jersey Hunter Education Course Study Guide!
Hunting in another state? Take the Hunter-Ed course for that state.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to your questions about taking the New Jersey hunter safety course!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in New Jersey?
Yes, you need hunter education! If you are at least 10 years old and have never taken a hunter safety course (or can't show proof of completing a course), you must complete one to hunt legally in New Jersey.
Q: Can you take the NJ Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take an online hunter safety course in NJ, but this only partially meets the state's hunter education requirement. All hunters must also attend an in-person Live Fire session for either firearms or bowhunting.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
We highly recommend signing up and completing your hunter safety course a few weeks before the season begins. Make sure you account for the time you'll need to take the online course and attend the in-person Live Fire session to complete the state's requirements.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need a certification for each season. Your hunter education course NJ is the only certification you'll need to hunt in New Jersey. Your certification is good for life!
Q: What happens if you hunt without hunter ed?
Hunting without the state's required hunter education certification can result in fines and other penalties. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
Use the Free Hunter Education Course NJ Study Guide!
Hunting in another state? Take the Hunter-Ed course for that state.
