North Carolina Hunter
Education Regulations & Laws

All first-time license buyers must first successfully complete a hunter education course. There is no minimum age requirement to take the hunter education course.

At 16 years of age, individuals are required to successfully complete a hunter education course prior to obtaining a hunting license in North Carolina. A youth under age 16, accompanied by a properly licensed adult, may enjoy those privileges conveyed by the licenses held by the accompanying adult.

On or after July 1, 2013, a person, regardless of age, may not purchase a hunting license in this State without producing one of the following, a hunter education certificate of competency, a NC hunting heritage apprentice permit, or a NC hunting license issued prior to July 1, 2013.

For a more complete listing of North Carolina's hunting license laws, hunting regulations, or hunter education requirements, please consult the North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Regulations Digest, available directly from the Wildlife Resources Commission, or on their website.

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• More information on the Hunter Safety Course