Hunter Education
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to promoting safe, responsible, and ethical hunting through quality education. The Hunter Education Program provides new and experienced hunters with the knowledge and skills needed to enjoy hunting safely and responsibly.
Who needs a Hunter Education Card?
All residents and nonresidents born after June 30, 1979, must complete a hunter education course before a hunting license can be obtained.
SCDNR accepts hunter education certifications issued by other U.S. states and Canadian provinces. If you have a certification from another state, your certification meets the hunter education requirement in SC. If you have a question about your certification, please contact the Hunter Education Office at 1-800-277-4301.
Hunter Education Course Options
Instructor-led Classes
The preferred method for completing Hunter Education is through a free, instructor-led classroom course. This eight-hour course may be offered as a single-day class or divided over two evenings. The class provides hands-on learning opportunities and allows students to ask questions directly to knowledgeable certified instructors who are committed to hunter safety and responsible hunting practices. Each class concludes with a test required to successfully complete the course.
The South Carolina Hunter Education Course is recommended for motivated students 12 years of age and older who possess strong reading and comprehension skills and have some prior experience or knowledge of hunting and firearms. Course materials are presented at a 6th-grade reading level.
Online Self-Study Course
The online Hunter Education Course options are provided through a third-party vendor, Hunter-Ed.com. Upon successfully completing the course, passing the test, and paying the course fee, you may instantly print your South Carolina Temporary Hunter Education Certificate, which is valid for 30 days. Your permanent certificate will be mailed to you within 2–3 weeks.
The Today’s Hunter online courses, hosted by Hunter-Ed.com, is the only approved internet courses for South Carolina.
| Class Type | Company | Price |
|---|---|---|
| In-Person | SCDNR | FREE |
| Online | Hunter-Ed Online | $29.95 |
| Online | Hunter-Ed Online Interactive ilearntohunt Course | $49.95 |
| Online | Español- Hunter Ed Online | $29.95 |