Skip to main content

Official Iowa Hunter Safety Course

Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo
International Hunter Education Association USA logo

Take this Iowa–approved course to complete your online hunter safety education. Hunter-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Lifetime Card

Do you need Iowa Hunting education?

You need education if you were born after Jan. 1, 1972, and will buy a hunting license in Iowa.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo
International Hunter Education Association USA logo

How to Get your Hunter Education Certificate in 4 Easy Steps

Step 1

est. 2–3 mins

Sign Up

Sign up for a Hunter Ed account, pay for the official course, and get started. It only takes a few minutes.

Step 2

Step 2 image

est. 3–4 hrs

Study & Pass the Online Course

Take the course on desktop, tablet or mobile. We automatically save your progress so you can learn at your own pace.

Step 3

Hunt Step 3

est. 1–5 mins

Complete Additional State Requirements

After passing the online course, you're able to print your hunter education certificate immediately. If you are under 18 years of age, you'll need to complete your states in-person requirements.

Step 4

hunt step 4

est. 0 mins

Go Hunting!

That's it. You're ready to buy your tag and hit the field.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Requirements

You must be at least 11 years old to take this online course.

You do not have to be a resident of Iowa to take this online course.

After This Course

If you are under 18 years of age when you REGISTER for this course, you must pass this online course and attend the Field Day to complete your hunting safety certification.

What to Expect From Hunter Ed

Live‐Action, High‐Definition Videos

Our course videos feature a combination of professional educators (who double as professional actors), entertaining storylines, and up‐to‐date scenarios that give you one of the most effective ways to learn safe hunting practices.

Watch this 73-second sample to see how we put you in the hunter’s camo.

Comprehensive Instruction in Iowa Hunting Safety Education

This official training program is developed to meet the standards for Hunting safety education established by Iowa. Hunter Ed is the only safety course provider that develops print materials on behalf of government agencies responsible for Hunting laws and regulations.

Pages from a hunter handbook

Learn Your Way on Any Device

Hunter Ed offers online courses that are fully mobile-friendly from start to finish. This safety course is designed to work on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Hunter course displayed on various devices
Course outline displaying progress

Saved Progress

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or a little at a time over several days. Log in and out at any time, and we'll keep track of your progress. Most students finish the course in a few hours.

Iowa Approved

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0034

Made in the U.S.A.

This Iowa hunter safety course is proudly made to serve students, agencies, and organizations in the state of Iowa and worldwide.

How do I get my Iowa Hunter Education Certificate?

1. Study and pass the Iowa Department of Natural Resources–Approved online course.

Study and pass the $28.95 course. Throughout the Iowa Hunter Ed Course, you’ll be tested on what you’ve learned.

2. Complete your age-dependent certification requirements.

If you are 18 years or older, after successfully completing the online course, you’ll immediately print out your proof of online course completion.

If you are under 18 years of age, you’ll immediately print out your proof of online course completion, which you will need to bring with you to the Field Day. You need to locate and sign up for the Field Day. To sign up, go to https://events.gooutdoorsiowa.com/.

Remember: Passing the online course does not guarantee you a spot at the Field Day.

3. Get your Iowa Hunter Education Certificate.

If you are 18 years or older, you’ll print your permanent Hunter Education Certificate after successfully passing the course and paying the fee.

If you are under 18 years of age, the Hunter Education Certificate will be given to you after you complete the Field Day.

Get Certified
Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo
Logos; Huntwise, Hunter-Ed

Hunt More Strategically

The HuntWise app combines pinpoint mapping features with accurate weather forecasting to provide hunters with the ideal tool to determine the best times and places to hunt all major North American game species. Complete your Hunter's Ed certification and you can get 50% off everything HuntWise PRO has to offer.

You can take advantage of this offer during checkout.

Callout; Huntwise

Progressive and Hunter-ed.com

Get protected by a leader in ATV insurance

Your homeowners policy won’t cover your ATV if you ride off property. That’s why Progressive offers ATV insurance, so you can roam worry-free. Getting this coverage is a smart decision, one that can help you cover costs if you get in an accident. And keep you exploring for years to come. Insure Your Passion®.

Get a Quote
A Leader In Adventure

Iowa Frequently Asked Questions

Price and Payment

How much does the Iowa Hunter Ed Course cost?

The Iowa Hunter Ed Course fee is $28.95.

Taking the Course

Do you need Iowa Hunting education?

You need education if you were born after Jan. 1, 1972, and will buy a hunting license in Iowa.

What is the minimum age to take this online course?

You must be at least 11 years old to take this online course.

Do I have to be a resident to take the Iowa Hunter Ed Course?

You do not have to be a resident of Iowa to take this online course.

Course Approval and Acceptance

Is the Iowa Hunter Ed Course approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources?

The Iowa Hunter Ed Course is approved and accepted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Is my Iowa Hunter Education Certificate accepted elsewhere?

All U.S. states, provinces, and other countries that have mandatory hunter education requirements will accept the Iowa Hunter Education Certificate. Likewise, Iowa will accept Hunter Education certifications that are issued by other jurisdictions that meet official IHEA-USA requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)

Quizzes and/or Exams

I failed a unit quiz. Have I failed the course?

If you fail a unit quiz, you must restudy the unit and take the quiz again until you pass. You must score at least 80% on the unit quizzes to pass.

Do I have to take an online exam?

If you are 18 years of age or older, the Iowa Adult Hunter Certification Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 75% on the Iowa Adult Hunter Certification Exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the Iowa Adult Hunter Certification Exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.

If you are under 18, you must complete this online course for admission to the Field Day. You are required to attend the Field Day to complete your Hunting safety certification.

About Your Certification

What is the proof of online Iowa Hunter Ed Course completion?

Once you pass and pay for the online course, you will be able to immediately print your proof of online completion and/or request that a PDF be emailed to you.

If you are under 18 years of age, you will need to bring this document with you to your Field Day.

What is the permanent Iowa Hunter Education Certificate?

If you are 18 years or older, the Hunter Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the hunter education requirements and allows you to legally purchase a hunting license in Iowa.

If you are under 18 years of age, you will receive the Hunter Education Certificate from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources after you successfully complete the Field Day.

Replacement of Lost or Damaged Documents

How do I replace my Hunter Education Certificate if I’ve lost it or it has been damaged?

To replace a lost or destroyed Hunter Education Certificate, hunters 18 years old or older can order one at https://ilostmycard.com/.

Hunters under 18 years of age, who received a permanent Hunter Education Certificate at the Field Day after successfully completing the Field Day can order one at https://ilostmycard.com/.

We’re people, not robots.

Your Hunter Ed course comes with a dedicated customer service team made up of real people, not robots. We’re here to provide assistance to you through all channels—phone, email, and chat.

We’re available to help you:

Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm CST
Sat-Sun 8am to 5pm CST
1-800-830-2268 (toll free)

Members of the Kalkomey Support Team
Support