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Official Iowa Bowhunter Safety Course

Take this Iowa–approved course to complete your online bowhunter safety education. Bowhunter-ed.com is a delegated provider for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Iowa safety education card Lifetime Card

Get bowhunter certified in 3 steps.

  1. Study and pass the $30.00 online course.

  2. Print your online course completion document.

  3. Get ready to go bowhunting!

Do you need Iowa Bowhunter education?

Iowa does not require education. You can take this course if you plan on bowhunting in states that require certification.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Requirements

You must be at least 11 years old to take the online course. Students who are 11 may complete this course, but the permanent Online Bowhunter Education Certificate will not be valid until their 12th birthday.

You do not have to be a resident of Iowa to take this online course.

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What to Expect From Bowhunter Ed

Live‐Action, High‐Definition Videos

Our course videos feature a combination of professional educators (who double as professional actors), entertaining storylines, and up‐to‐date scenarios that give you one of the most effective ways to learn safe bowhunting practices.

Watch this 67-second sample to see how we put you in the bowhunter’s camo.

Comprehensive Instruction in Iowa Bowhunter Safety Education

This official training program is developed to meet the standards for Bowhunter safety education established by Iowa. Bowhunter Ed is the only safety course provider that develops print materials on behalf of government agencies responsible for Bowhunter laws and regulations.

Pages from a bowhunting handbook
Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo

State-Approved Content

As a course provider approved by Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Iowa Bowhunter Ed Course covers everything you may need to know in order to be safe.

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Learn Your Way on Any Device

Bowhunter Ed offers online courses that are fully mobile-friendly from start to finish. This safety course is designed to work on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Bowhunting course displayed on various devices

Saved Progress

You may complete the course at your own pace. The course can be completed in one sitting or a little at a time over several days. Log in and out at any time, and we'll keep track of your progress. Most students finish the course in a few hours.

Course outline displaying progress

Iowa Approved

Iowa Department of Natural Resources logo

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0034

Made in the U.S.A.

This safety course is proudly made to serve students, agencies, and organizations worldwide.

How Do I Get My State Bowhunter License?

Bowhunter education is currently required in many states. An approved Bowhunter safety course is required to comply with the laws and regulations in those jurisdictions. Depending on your age, you may be required to have the Online Bowhunter Education Certificate in order to legally buy a license or permit to hunt. For more information, see the Iowa Bowhunter Laws and Regulations page.

Did you lose your certificate? Replace it here.

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Iowa Frequently Asked Questions

Price and Payment

How much does the Iowa Bowhunter Ed Course cost?

The Iowa Bowhunter Ed Course fee is $30.00.

Taking the Course

Do you need Iowa Bowhunter education?

Iowa does not require education. You can take this course if you plan on bowhunting in states that require certification.

How long will it take to complete the course?

Typically it takes about 3 hours to go through the online course, excluding any quizzes and/or exams and restudying that you may choose to do.

What is the minimum age to take this online course?

You must be at least 11 years old to take the online course. Students who are 11 may complete this course, but the permanent Online Bowhunter Education Certificate will not be valid until their 12th birthday.

Do I have to be a resident to take the Iowa Bowhunter Ed Course?

You do not have to be a resident of Iowa to take this online course.

Course Approval and Acceptance

Is the Iowa Bowhunter Ed Course approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources?

The Iowa Bowhunter Ed Course is approved and accepted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Is my Iowa Online Bowhunter Education Certificate accepted elsewhere?

All U.S. states, provinces, and other countries that have mandatory bowhunter education requirements will accept the Iowa Online Bowhunter Education Certificate. Likewise, Iowa will accept Bowhunter Education certifications that are issued by other jurisdictions that meet official IHEA-USA requirements. (This is known as “reciprocity.”)

Quizzes and/or Exams

I failed a unit quiz. Have I failed the course?

If you fail a unit quiz, you can take it again until you pass. You must score at least 70% on the unit quizzes to pass.

Do I have to take an online exam?

The Online Bowhunter Certification Exam is the exam you take at the end of the online course. You must score at least 80% on the exam to pass. You have unlimited attempts to pass the exam. If you don’t complete the exam in one session, don’t worry. When you log in later, you will be taken to the first unanswered question of the exam.

About Your Certification

What is the permanent Iowa Online Bowhunter Education Certificate?

The Online Bowhunter Education Certificate is proof that you have successfully completed all the education requirements. This certificate is your permanent certificate and allows you to legally purchase a bowhunting license or permit where required.

Replacement of Lost or Damaged Documents

How do I replace my Online Bowhunter Education Certificate if I’ve lost it or it has been damaged?

To replace a lost, destroyed, or damaged Online Bowhunter Education Certificate, go to https://ilostmycard.com.

We’re people, not robots.

Your Bowhunter Ed course comes with a dedicated customer service team made up of real people, not robots. We’re here to provide assistance to you through all channels—phone, email, and chat.

We’re available to help you:

Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm CST
Sat-Sun 8am to 5pm CST
1-800-830-2268 (toll free)

Members of the Kalkomey Support Team