Kansas · Hunter safety · 2026 Edition
Kansas Hunter Safety Course 2026: Cost & Online Options
Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting in Kansas. Hunters 15 and younger are exempt while directly supervised by an adult of at least 18. 18 and older can certify entirely online, free of charge.
Kansas is the cheapest of the states we track: every route to certification costs nothing. Adults from 18 certify entirely online for free, and everyone from 11 can take the free hybrid or traditional course. The one thing that does cost money is skipping the course — the Apprentice licence, at $25 resident.
01 — Who needs it
Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting in Kansas. Hunters 15 and younger are exempt while directly supervised by an adult of at least 18.
From 16, an Apprentice hunting license ($25 resident / $125 nonresident) defers the requirement, twice in a lifetime, while hunting under a licensed adult's supervision.
02 — Course options
| Course | Format | Who | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional course | In person | All ages, certification from 11 | Free | At least 10 hours by law, most run about 12 over two or more days — Run by volunteer instructors statewide, mostly August through October. Where possible students shoot live fire or work through simulated hunting conditions. |
| Online course | Online | 18 and older | Free | About 7 hours at your own pace — Provided free to Kansas residents by KDWP and the NRA, and it certifies you outright — no field day. Under-18s cannot use this route. |
| Hybrid course | Online + field day | 11 and older | Free | Online portion about 7 hours, then a one-day field day — No required fee for the online portion. Finish the online course first, print or screenshot the field day qualifier certificate, then register for a field day within 365 days. |
04 — Your certificate, and other states
Students under 11 may sit a course if there is space, but certification only follows on their 11th birthday.
Kansas accepts hunter education certification from every other state, Canadian provinces and many foreign jurisdictions.
Kansas runs a separate Furharvester and Bowhunter education programme, but bowhunter certification is not required to hunt with a bow in Kansas.
05 — Where to register
Courses are booked through Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
Find and register for a Kansas course →
Got your certificate? Next step: Kansas hunting license costs and permits →
Everything else we track for the state: Kansas hunting seasons →
Looking for somewhere to hunt? Kansas public hunting land — WMAs by county & access rules →
FAQ
Can I take the Kansas hunter safety course online?
Yes. 18 and older can certify entirely online free of charge. Anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting in Kansas. Hunters 15 and younger are exempt while directly supervised by an adult of at least 18.
How long does the Kansas hunter safety course take?
The online course runs about 7 hours at your own pace. That is course content, not a deadline — how many sittings you spread it over is up to you.
Verified · Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Requirements and course fees read from KDWP, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-08-01. Course providers set their own prices and change them without notice — confirm before you pay.