California Hunter Education Practice Test 2026
Practice for the California Hunter Education Course final exam. Anyone who has never held a California hunting license needs hunter education or other accepted proof before buying one. Practice test 1 covers California's course rules and the statewide nonlead ammunition rule, and the other sets cover the safety, ethics, wildlife and survival topics taught across the US.
Quick answer
It is run by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Minimum age: No minimum age. Practise here for free with 145 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 17, 2026.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: B. Anyone who has never held a California hunting license and has no other accepted proof
California requires hunter education for anyone who has never held a California hunting license, unless they can show another accepted form of proof.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: A. A hunting license from another state issued within the previous two years
A current hunting license, or one issued within the two previous years, from any state or province is accepted as proof.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: D. Yes, California accepts proof of hunter education from any state or province
CDFW says California accepts proof of hunter education issued by any state or province. Show it to a license agent or a CDFW license sales office.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: A. 10 hours of classroom, homework and field instruction
The Traditional course is at least ten hours of classroom, homework and field instruction, and it ends with a final exam.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: B. Attend a 4-hour follow-up class with a certified instructor
Online students must attend a 4-hour follow-up class with a certified instructor. The online course alone does not earn a certificate.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: C. No, the online-only option is no longer available
CDFW says the online-only option is no longer available. Online students must also complete the in-person follow-up class.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: A. There is no minimum age
There is no minimum age. CDFW notes the course is demanding for young children, and an instructor can help decide if a child is ready.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: A. 12 and older
CDFW says the online course and follow-up class are designed for students 12 years and older.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: A. A Student Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian
Students under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the Student Consent Form.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: A. Generally no; students take the exam without help
CDFW says parents or guardians generally cannot assist during the exam, though parents are encouraged to attend the class with students under 16.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: A. There is no minimum age if you can show proof of hunter education
CDFW says there is no minimum age to buy a hunting license if the applicant can show proof of hunter education.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: A. Training aids such as targets and flip charts
A fee may not be charged for an instructor's service. Fees may only cover training aids such as slides, flip charts and targets.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: D. Buy a Hunter Education Certificate (Duplicate) through CDFW license sales
For courses taken on or after January 1, 2016, you can buy a duplicate certificate online, from a license agent or at a CDFW license sales office.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: D. No, bowhunter education does not replace hunter education
CDFW says bowhunter education classes do not fulfill the hunter education certificate requirement.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: B. July 1, 2019
Since July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: B. Assembly Bill 711
Assembly Bill 711, signed in October 2013, requires nonlead ammunition when taking any wildlife with a firearm in California.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: C. Yes, the rule applies on public and private land
The nonlead rule covers taking any wildlife with a firearm on both public and private land.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: B. 1 percent or less
Certified nonlead projectiles must contain 1 percent lead or less, and approved products appear on CDFW's certified nonlead list.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: D. No, you may not have lead ammunition with a firearm that can fire it
Hunters may not possess lead ammunition along with a firearm able to fire it. The only exception is ammunition for a concealable firearm kept for personal protection.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: C. No, unless the land manager has its own nonlead rule
The regulations do not require nonlead for target shooting, unless CDFW or another agency has decided otherwise for land it manages.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: A. Certified nonlead ammunition
Certified nonlead ammunition is required for depredation purposes everywhere in California.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: D. They are not firearms, so lead pellets are not banned, but they may not be used for big game
Pellet rifles are not considered firearms, so lead pellets are not prohibited. Air rifles are not allowed for big game, and nonlead is encouraged for small game.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: B. Inspect your ammunition and seize a cartridge or bullet for testing
Officers may inspect any ammunition you carry and may seize a cartridge or bullet for analysis. Keeping the original boxes in the field helps you show what you have.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: A. Pronghorn antelope
CDFW lists deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, black bear and Nelson bighorn sheep as big game.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: B. A HIP validation, from a free Harvest Information Program survey
Migratory game bird hunters must complete the free HIP survey and have a HIP validation printed on their license.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- California requires hunter education for anyone who has never held a California hunting license, unless they have other accepted proof.
- California accepts hunter education certificates from any state or province, and a hunting license from any state or province issued within the previous two years.
- The Traditional course is at least 10 hours of classroom, homework and field instruction, followed by a final exam.
- Online students must also attend a 4-hour follow-up class with a certified instructor. The online-only option is no longer available.
- There is no minimum age to take the course. Students under 18 need a Student Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian.
- Since July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs hunter education in California?
Anyone who has never held a California hunting license, unless they can show a hunter education certificate from any state or province, or a hunting license from any state or province issued in the last two years.
Can I take California hunter education online?
Only in part. You can do the online course from an approved provider, but you must then attend a 4-hour follow-up class with a certified instructor. The online-only option is no longer offered.
How old do you have to be?
There is no minimum age to take the course or to buy a hunting license with proof of hunter education. The online course and follow-up class are designed for students 12 and older.
Do I have to use lead-free ammunition in California?
Yes. Since July 1, 2019, certified nonlead ammunition is required when taking any wildlife with a firearm anywhere in California, on public and private land.
Is the course offered in Spanish?
Yes. CDFW links to Spanish traditional classes and a Spanish version of an approved online course.