How to Get Your 2026 WV Hunter Education Course in 3 Easy Steps
The State of West Virginia requires all hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, to pass a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.
Hunter education teaches valuable safety essentials, including proper firearm handling, tree stand safety, wearing blaze orange for visibility, and understanding the hunting laws for the state.
So, if you're planning a hunt in 2026, keep reading to learn how to take the WV hunter education course and get your hunting license.
How Do I Get My Hunter Education Card in West Virginia?
All hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must complete a hunter safety course to earn a hunter education card in West Virginia.
You must have this certification to purchase a hunting license. The state offers two options to get certified for the basic hunter education requirement.
1. Take a Hunter Education Course In-Person
Hunters can take an in-person, instructor-led course covering the knowledge and skills needed to be a safe hunter in West Virginia. The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) offers these classes for free.
Classes run for about 12 hours over two days. You must complete all hours for the class and pass the final written exam to receive your certification. This certification is required to buy a hunting license.
Children must be at least 10 years old to take the final exam and receive a permanent hunter education card.
Choose an in-person course on the dates and at a location that's most convenient to you. Plan your timing wisely to sign up for an available course and complete it ahead of the hunting season, with plenty of time to get your hunting license before your hunt.
2. Take a Hunter Education Course Online
Hunters can also take an online hunter safety course to get certified. You can take the course at home at your convenience. Hunter-Ed is an approved provider for this course.
After completing the course and passing all of the quizzes, you'll print your Practical Exam Voucher. With this voucher, you will then register to take the hands-on written test and complete your certification.
The online course is the most convenient way to meet West Virginia's hunter education requirements.
3 Easy Steps to Get Your 2026 West Virginia Hunting License
With your hunter certification, you're ready to get your license and hunt! Here are three easy steps to get your WV hunting license.
- Meet the Requirements (and Complete a Hunter Education Course)
Remember: all hunters born on or after January 1, 1975, must complete a hunter education course before hunting in West Virginia.
Hunter-Ed makes it easy to do that with our online course, approved by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR)! - Choose the Right License Type and Purchase It
Determine which license you need. Choose from resident, non-resident, apprentice, senior, sportsman, and other types of licenses. Then, purchase your license online via the WVhunt website or an authorized West Virginia Hunting and Fishing License Agent (e.g., hardware stores, sporting goods stores, Wal-Mart locations, and other designated locations). - Carry Proof of Your License When Hunting
You must always carry your license when hunting. Additionally, if tags, stamps, or permits are required for the animal you plan to hunt, don't forget those when you pack your gear and head out into the field.
Let's look at these steps in more detail.
Step 1: How to Take the West Virginia Hunter Education Course
The easiest way to get your hunter safety certification in West Virginia is to take the Hunter-Ed Online course!
Your Hunter-Ed course:
- Is approved by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and WVDNR.
- Can be taken from anywhere you can connect to the internet using a computer, phone, or tablet.
- Can be completed in approximately 3 hours.
- Includes games, animations, illustrations, videos, and quizzes to help you learn the required material. You'll need to score at least 80% on the quizzes to pass. There is no final exam through the course, but you must take an in-person hands-on written test to complete your certification.
- Saves your progress! Students can work at their own pace and start and stop as needed.
- Gives you free access to the course study guide to help you learn the material and pass the quizzes.
- Gives you free access to Hunter Perks!
Hunter-Ed delivers everything you need to meet West Virginia's requirements for hunter education. You also get a lifetime of ongoing support and educational opportunities to help you become a better hunter.
Step 2: Get Your Hunter Education Certification Card
After completing the course through Hunter-Ed and passing the hands-on written test, you've met the hunter education requirements! Then, the WVDNR will send your hunter safety card in the mail.
Your Hunter Education Card is Your Proof of Certification
Your hunter safety card is an important document!
Always carry it when you hunt as proof that you completed the WV hunter education course requirements. When you're in the field, wildlife officials can ask you to show your hunting license and safety certification, and you must comply.
Don't worry if you lose your card! Contact your local WVDNR Law Enforcement Office and fill out an application to get a replacement card. You can mail in the form with a $10 check or money order to one of the addresses listed on the application.
Step 3: Where to Get Your State of WV Hunting License in 2026
Your WV 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, unless you have a lifetime license. Your 2025 WV hunting license will not be valid in 2026.
Research carefully and purchase the correct license to hunt legally this season.
Buy Online
The easiest way to get your license is to buy it online. This can be especially convenient if you don't live close to an in-person agent location or you plan to hunt in West Virginia as a resident of another state
Buy In Person from a WVDNR License Agent
If you prefer to pick up a license in person, the State of West Virginia offers plenty of locations that offer hunting licenses.
Use the WVDNR website to find an agent location near you. In general, sporting goods stores, hardware stores, and Wal-Mart stores offer hunting licenses in West Virginia.
Why Hunter Education Is Important
Hunter education is a crucial part of responsible hunting for new hunters and seasoned hunters. The information you'll learn in one of these courses saves lives!
Before you ever buy a license or step into the field, hunter safety courses help make sure you know the rules and how to follow them. They put a big focus on firearm safety and smart decision-making, which goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe and cutting down on accidents.
These courses also cover practical, real-world skills hunters actually use, like navigation, basic first aid, and survival basics. Just as important, they stress respect for landowners, fellow hunters, and the wildlife we’re out there for.
At the end of the day, hunter education is about doing things the right way. It promotes ethical, responsible hunting that helps conserve game and keep our hunting traditions strong for generations to come.
Why are a State-Specific Hunter Education Courses Important?
Many states offer reciprocity, meaning they accept a hunter safety certification from another state to meet the education requirements. This can be convenient if you've already taken a course in your home state and plan to travel and hunt in other states.
For example, taking a Texas hunter safety course could leave you without valuable information you need to hunt in West Virginia. State-specific information can include important rules and regulations that can be critical to hunting safely and legally in that state.
So, before you assume a course from another state prepares you for hunting in any state, take a few hours to complete the Hunter-Ed hunter safety course for WV and get certified! It's worth it.
Why Choose Hunter-Ed
You get more with Hunter-Ed
Not only do you get a learn-at-your-pace online course that covers everything you need to know (while meeting the WVDNR's requirements), but 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 will have full access to:
- Curated Blog and Video Content: Links to informational blogs and videos to help you keep learning and exploring how to be a better hunter.
- Hunting Tools: Hunter-proven resources to help you hunt more confidently and successfully. This includes free app subscriptions!
- Easy Access to Hunting Regulations: With just a few clicks, you can learn about the hunting regs for West Virginia (and other states) each year.
- Ongoing Education Opportunities: Take additional discounted courses to help you learn more skills, like archery and saddle hunting.
Plus, your Hunter Perks include contests to win free stuff and gear discounts to gather what you need for great hunts (while saving money).
These Perks never expire. You'll always have access to your Hunter-Ed dashboard and Hunter Perks to support you through your lifelong pursuit of hunting!
Get Hunter Safety Certified in West Virginia with Hunter-Ed
Don't wait for the hunting season to get here before you take the West Virginia hunter safety course. You won't be able to hunt without it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about taking the WV hunter education course!
Q: Do I need a hunter education course to hunt in West Virginia?
Yes, you need hunter education in West Virginia to hunt legally if you were born on or after January 1, 1975, and are at least 10 years old.
Q: Can you take the West Virginia Hunter Safety course online?
Yes, you can take the WV hunter safety course online as part of the state's requirements. The State of West Virginia has approved Hunter-Ed as an online course that you can complete to meet the requirements.
Q: How Soon Should I Sign Up for a Hunter Education Course?
Don't wait, or you risk missing your hunting season! We recommend signing up and completing your course at least a few weeks before the season begins.
Q: Do I Need a Certification for Every Season?
No, you don't need to recertify every season. Your West Virginia hunter education course covers the only certification you'll need to hunt in WV after completing the course and passing the final exam. Your certification is good 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 $34.95. This cost includes the course, 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 fines and other penalties. Your hunting license may also be invalid until you complete the course.
