Georgia · Hunter safety · 2026 Edition
Georgia Hunter Safety Course 2026: Cost & Online Options
Georgia asks for hunter education from residents and nonresidents alike who were born on or after January 1, 1961, before they can buy a season-long hunting license. You can certify entirely online.
Two things make Georgia easier than it first looks. The classroom course is free, with dates across the state in the Go Outdoors Georgia calendar under Hunter Safety Certification. And the requirement only attaches to season-long licenses — on an apprentice or short-term license you may hunt without it, which is often the answer for a visitor with a single weekend. The 1961 cutoff catches residents and nonresidents equally, and once you have the certificate it never expires.
01 — Who needs it
Georgia asks for hunter education from residents and nonresidents alike who were born on or after January 1, 1961, before they can buy a season-long hunting license.
The requirement attaches to season-long licenses only. It does not apply to apprentice or short-term licenses, nor to hunters on their own land or on land owned by a parent or guardian.
02 — Course options
| Course | Format | Who | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom course | In person | Not stated | Free | Free. Dates across the state are listed in the Go Outdoors Georgia event calendar — filter it by Hunter Safety Certification. |
| Approved online course | Online | Not stated | — | Certifies you without a classroom day. Georgia approves several providers and their fees differ, so check a course is on GADNR's current approved list before paying — an unapproved course will not certify you. |
A dash means GADNR publishes no set price for that route — what you pay depends on the provider you pick or on the individual class.
04 — Your certificate, and other states
Georgia hunter education certificates do not expire. Keep the certificate number — you are asked for it when you buy a season-long license.
Georgia recognises hunter education certification issued by any U.S. state wildlife agency or Canadian province.
05 — Where to register
Courses are booked through Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.
Find and register for a Georgia course →
Got your certificate? Next step: Georgia hunting license costs and permits →
Everything else we track for the state: Georgia hunting seasons →
Looking for somewhere to hunt? Georgia public hunting land — WMAs by county & access rules →
FAQ
Can I take the Georgia hunter safety course online?
Yes. You can certify entirely online. Georgia asks for hunter education from residents and nonresidents alike who were born on or after January 1, 1961, before they can buy a season-long hunting license.
Verified · Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division · Last verified 2026-08-07
Publisher's note. Requirements read from georgia.gov, the state's own portal, and the course calendar from Go Outdoors Georgia, retrieved 2026-08-07. GADNR's own hunter education page returns 403 to us, which is also why no approved online providers are listed here — confirm a course is on GADNR's current list before paying. Review due 2027-08-01.