Minnesota · Hunter safety · 2026 Edition
Minnesota Hunter Safety Course 2026: Cost & Online Options
Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979 needs a firearms safety certificate before buying an annual or lifetime license to take game by firearms. 16 and older can certify entirely online, from $36.50.
Minnesota is the only state in this silo where the field day itself goes virtual: from 16, the same online course that certifies younger students only partway finishes the job entirely, substituting an Interactive Field Day Map for the live-fire practical day. Under 16 there's no such shortcut — online or classroom, the in-person field day is mandatory either way, and both fill up fast. Whichever route you take, the state's own $7.50 self-certification fee is added on top of whatever the classroom instructor or huntercourse.com charges, so nobody in Minnesota gets certified for less than $7.50.
01 — Who needs it
Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979 needs a firearms safety certificate before buying an annual or lifetime license to take game by firearms.
The $3.50 Apprentice Hunter/Trapper Validation (Minn. Stat. § 97B.022) defers the requirement for two license years, hunting alongside an adult licensed for the same season.
Statute: Minn. Stat. § 97B.020
02 — Course options
| Course | Format | Who | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classroom course | In person | 11 and older | — | At least 12 hours over a minimum of four separate sessions — The $7.50 DNR self-certification fee applies on top of whatever the instructor or hosting organization charges for materials. Includes a mandatory field day — seven scenario-based stations plus firing a .22 rimfire rifle on the range. |
| Online course, ages 11-15 | Online + field day | 11 to 15 | — | Online at your own pace, then one in-person field day — The same online course adults use, but under 16 the mandatory field day has to be the in-person version, not the virtual one. Field days fill quickly for both this and the classroom route. |
| Online course with virtual field day, 16 and older | Online | 16 and older | — | Online at your own pace, plus an Interactive Field Day Map completed on the same platform — Certifies you without ever attending in person — the virtual field day substitutes for the practical day younger students still have to do live. An optional in-person field day with a DNR-certified instructor remains open to adults who want hands-on practice, but it isn't required. |
A dash means MN DNR publishes no set price for that route — what you pay depends on the provider you pick or on the individual class.
03 — Approved online courses, side by side
| Provider | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| huntercourse.com | $36.50 | $29 to huntercourse.com plus the $7.50 DNR self-certification fee everyone pays regardless of route — $36.50 all in. |
huntercourse.com is the only online provider MN DNR approves — there's no price to compare it against. The figure above is the full out-of-pocket total, course plus the DNR fee that applies no matter which route you take.
04 — Your certificate, and other states
You can enroll from age 11, but the certificate itself only takes effect at 12.
Minnesota recognizes firearms safety certificates issued by any other state.
Minnesota does not require bowhunter education statewide — the Minnesota Bowhunter Education Program is voluntary, for hunters 12 and up, though some park-based and special-area hunts require it on top of the standard certificate.
05 — Where to register
Courses are booked through Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Find and register for a Minnesota course →
Got your certificate? Next step: Minnesota hunting license costs and permits →
Everything else we track for the state: Minnesota hunting seasons →
Looking for somewhere to hunt? Minnesota public hunting land — WMAs by county & access rules →
FAQ
Can I take the Minnesota hunter safety course online?
Yes. 16 and older can certify entirely online, from $36.50. Anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979 needs a firearms safety certificate before buying an annual or lifetime license to take game by firearms.
Is there a free hunter safety course in Minnesota?
Every MN DNR-approved online provider charges a fee; the cheapest is huntercourse.com at $36.50. In-person courses run by the agency itself are often free — see the formats above.
How much does the Minnesota hunter safety course cost?
Approved online providers run from $36.50 (huntercourse.com). They all produce the same certificate, so the cheapest one certifies you just as well. Prices are set by the providers and change without notice — the table above was read on Aug 7, 2026.
How long does the Minnesota hunter safety course take?
The online course runs online at your own pace, plus an Interactive Field Day Map completed on the same platform. That is course content, not a deadline — how many sittings you spread it over is up to you.
Verified · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · Last verified 2026-08-07
Publisher's note. Requirements and course fees read from MN DNR, retrieved 2026-08-07. Review due 2027-08-01. Course providers set their own prices and change them without notice — confirm before you pay.