Hunter Education/Firearms Safety Certification for Youth

Classroom course option

  • Students ages 11 and older can attend a classroom-based firearms safety certification course and receive their certificate. The firearms safety certificate becomes valid at age 12.
    • The firearms safety class consists of a minimum of 4 separate class sessions (students must attend the entire class for which they sign up), learning the safe handling of firearms, hunter responsibility and wildlife conservation. Students then complete the additional field day.  
    • The field day consists of seven required scenario-based training opportunities. These scenarios allow students to learn and demonstrate commonly accepted principles of safety in hunting and the handling of firearms. It includes shooting a .22 caliber rifle on a range.
    • The DNR course fee is $7.50, payable on-line after successful completion of course requirements. (The instructor may charge a fee of up to $7.50 at the class or field day for any costs they incur.)

Hybrid option

  • Students age 11 and older may complete their online hunter safety course at online hunter safety course (link is external).
    • Then, attend an in-person classroom review and firearms fundamentals session.
    • Students will finish with the field day portion.

Field days fill up quickly! Register your child for a field day now while they complete their online course.

NOTE: Students ages 12 and older who want to hunt this fall but cannot complete their in-person field day are encouraged to use the apprentice hunter validation.

REMINDER:
Check now to make sure you have your firearms safety certificate. If you’ve misplaced it, see the “General information” below for instructions on obtaining a duplicate.

Minnesota recognizes certificates for firearms safety training that are issued by other states.

 

Firearms Safety Certification for Adults (16 and older).

Outdoor News Magazine special for youth

General information

  • Purchase a duplicate firearms safety certificate online or wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.
  • For more information or assistance with purchasing a duplicate safety certificate:
  • To have your firearms safety certification added to your Minnesota Driver’s License, bring your firearms certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when you renew your driver’s license and request them to check the box to add it as an endorsement.

Receive updates when new classes or field days are added to our calendar of safety training classes.

 

Find (and sort) more courses on the DNR Safety Training Calendar!

 

Courses

To view detailed information about a class or field day, click on its title.

Scroll table right to see more »
​DateTitleLocationCounty
09/28/23Firearms Safety Field DayPelican RapidsOtter Tail
09/29/23Firearms Safety Field DayPelican RapidsOtter Tail
09/30/23Firearms Safety Field DayMorristownRice
09/30/23Firearms Safety Field DaySpicerKandiyohi
09/30/23Firearms Safety Field DayHawleyClay
09/30/23Firearms Safety Field DayLe SueurLe Sueur
09/30/23Firearms Safety Field DaySlaytonMurray
10/02/23Firearms Safety Training Classroom ClassMadeliaWatonwan
10/07/23Firearms Safety Field DayMontevideoChippewa
10/14/23Firearms Safety Field DayWillow RiverPine
10/14/23Firearms Safety Field DayPillagerCass
10/14/23Firearms Safety Field DayPerhamOtter Tail
10/15/23Firearms Safety Field DaySt. JosephStearns
10/16/23Firearms Safety Field DayHugoWashington
10/22/23Firearms Safety Field DayChisago CityChisago
10/27/23Firearms Safety Field DayWaubunMahnomen
02/11/24Firearms Safety Training Classroom ClassWolvertonWilkin

There are organizations that include the DNR Firearms Safety Training class as part of an event or membership package they offer. The DNR firearms safety training fee is $7.50, with an option for the instructor group to charge an additional $7.50. However, these other programs have additional costs set by the providing organization.

Organizations offering a DNR firearms safety class

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