Take an Official State-Approved Hunter Safety Course
In Kansas, you can complete hunter education through a traditional in-person classroom course or a hybrid option that combines online study with an in-person field day. As an IHEA-approved provider, Recademics can help you choose the path that fits your schedule and learning style.
Completing hunter education is an important rite of passage for new hunters. The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks offers several certification pathways, from traditional instructor-led classroom courses to online hybrid formats. In this article, we’ll walk you through the available options so you can choose the approach that best fits your needs.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offers in-person, hybrid (online + in-person), and online-only courses. Students must be at least 18 years of age or older to qualify for the online-only course and certification.
While students 18 and older can take the course online only, students under 18 must either take a full in-person course (our recommendation), or the online + in-person hybrid course. The post online course field day typically involves activities such as firearm handling, shooting safety, and wildlife identification, which are critical for responsible hunting. The KDWP provides a list of approved courses and schedules for these field days, which must be completed within a certain timeframe after finishing the online portion.
Students 17 and under who complete the online hunter safety course must register for and attend a field day session. The field day is typically scheduled through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website. Without completing this in-person component, the hunter education certification will not be issued.
Kansas hunters 18 years of age and older qualify for Kansas’s “online-only” hunter education course. These courses are designed to meet the educational standards set by the agency and provide a flexible learning environment for students.
Students should verify course approval directly on the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website before enrolling to ensure the program meets state requirements.
Kansas also accepts online courses from other states, provided the course is approved through the International Hunter Education Association.
In Kansas, hunter education is required for anyone born on or after July 1, 1957 who hunts (unless exempt), and this applies to residents and nonresidents. Youth under 16 may hunt without hunter education only while directly supervised by an adult 18+, and hunters 16+ who have not completed hunter education may buy up to two Apprentice Hunting Licenses (deferrals) but must hunt under adult supervision; after those, hunter education is required.
For detailed information on who must take hunter education and any exemptions, prospective hunters should consult the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks or visit the comprehensive guide at Hunter Education Requirements in Kansas.
Registering for an online hunter safety course in Kansas is a straightforward process. First, visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website to access the list of approved hunter education providers. This ensures you select a course that meets state requirements.
Once you have chosen an approved provider, navigate to their Kansas-specific hunter safety course page. There, you can create an account and complete the registration form, which typically requires basic personal information and payment details if applicable.
After registration, you will receive instructions on how to access the online course materials. The course is self-paced, allowing you to complete the modules at your convenience. Upon finishing the online portion, follow KDWP’s instructions to schedule the mandatory field day to complete certification.
1. Visit the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website.
2. Locate the hunter education section and review approved online course providers.
3. Select your preferred provider and go to their Kansas hunter safety course page.
4. Register by creating an account and submitting required information.
5. Complete payment if necessary.
6. Begin the online course at your own pace.
It depends on your age. Students 18 and older can take the course “online only,” while students 17 and under must take an in-person field day after their online course.
This field day is an essential component of the certification process, ensuring that hunters can safely handle firearms and understand real-world hunting scenarios. Without attending and successfully completing the field day, the online course completion will not result in certification.
After finishing both the online and field day components, students typically receive a hunter education certificate. This certificate may be printed or mailed, depending on the provider’s process and KDWP guidelines. It serves as proof of compliance with Kansas hunting regulations and is required when purchasing a hunting license.
For official details on certification procedures, consult the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks or your course provider.
Full certification requires both online coursework and field day attendance. Only then will the KDWP issue a valid hunter education certificate.
Upon successful completion, certificates may be available for immediate printing or mailed to the student. This certificate must be presented when applying for a hunting license in Kansas.
The duration of the online hunter safety course in Kansas varies depending on the student’s pace and familiarity with the material. On average, the online portion takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete. This time frame allows for thorough coverage of all required topics, including safety, ethics, wildlife identification, and hunting laws.
Students can typically pause and resume the course as needed, making it convenient for those with busy schedules. The field day component usually requires an additional half-day commitment.
For more detailed information on course length and time management tips, visit How Long Does the Kansas Hunter Safety Course Take?.
Most students complete the online modules in 6 to 8 hours, depending on their learning speed and breaks taken.
The in-person field day generally lasts several hours and is scheduled separately from the online coursework.
If you’re ready to begin your hunter education journey in Kansas, starting with an approved online course is a convenient and effective way to meet state requirements. Taking the course online allows you to learn at your own pace, from the comfort of your home, while still fulfilling all necessary safety and legal standards.
Be sure to select a KDWP-approved provider and follow the instructions provided on the KDWP website for completing both the online coursework and the required field day. This will ensure that you meet Kansas’s certification requirements and can purchase your hunting license with confidence.
Enroll in an approved online hunter safety course and take the first step toward safe hunting in Kansas.
Enjoy flexible scheduling, comprehensive content, and easy access to course materials with online hunter safety education.
Yes, but always double-check! Kansas recognizes hunter education certificates issued by other state or provincial wildlife agencies when the course meets IHEA-USA standards. In most cases, your card is reciprocal and valid for life, regardless of where you earned it. Be sure your course was completed through an approved provider (e.g., Recademics or another state/IHEA-approved program), and match the discipline required (firearm vs. bow). If you’re traveling to hunt, always check a state’s official regulations for any state-specific add-ons or exceptions (e.g., apprentice permits or youth supervision rules).
