Proof of Hunter Education

Hunters who have completed a hunter education course outside of Colorado may be able to use their prior certification to fulfill the hunter education requirement to purchase hunting licenses. Hunters will have to verify their hunter education with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before purchasing a license.

Accepted Hunter Education

Acceptable proof of hunter education consists of one of the following. Damaged and worn cards will be verified for validity by inspection or through a records check.

An original, duplicate or replacement hunter education card issued by any U.S. or Mexican state or Canadian provincial wildlife agency.
Temporary hunter education cards issued by a U.S. state or Canadian province wildlife agency will be honored only for the year when the card was issued.
A Colorado Customer Identification (CID) with a "V" (standing for “verified”) printed in the bottom right corner
A Missouri Conservation Heritage Card with a hunter education number printed on the lower left corner
A Minnesota driver's license with a hunter education number endorsement on the back
For bowhunters, a state-issued bowhunter education card is acceptable proof of hunter education for any “archery only” license and for licenses where the method of take is not specified, such as turkey or small game. They cannot be used to purchase rifle or muzzleloader licenses.

Nonresidents and International Hunters

If you are a hunter with proof of hunter education from another state or are an international hunter, your proof of hunter education may be accepted in the state of Colorado.

Out-of-State Hunter Education Cards and Licenses

If an out-of-state hunter education card doesn’t have a card number printed on it, the card issue date and the originating state of issue should be used when applying for or purchasing a license. All Colorado hunter education cards are numbered. An out-of-state hunting license cannot be used as proof of hunter education.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will evaluate hunter education and hunting license information from other states on an individual basis. To be considered, please mail or email copies of your information well in advance of your desired hunting season.

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Attn: Hunter Education Section
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216

International Hunter Education Cards and Licenses

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will evaluate hunter education and hunting license information from other countries on an individual basis. To be considered, please mail or email copies of your information well in advance of your desired hunting season.

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Attn: Hunter Education Section
6060 Broadway
Denver, CO 80216

Verifying Hunter Education

Phone or Computer Verification
A phone or computer verification with another state wildlife agency may be used as proof of hunter education. There may be a $5.00 fee to cover the cost of placing the call. This transaction is at the expense of the hunter. If hunter education is confirmed, a new CID with a "V" printed in the bottom right corner may be issued.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Office Verification
A good quality scan or copy of a hunter education card or certificate (front and back) may be accepted at a CPW office as proof of hunter education. Your state will be called for verbal verification. The copy may be refused if verification cannot be completed over the phone, or if the card or certificate looks altered or isn’t a legible copy.

Hunter Education Cards

If you need to get a replacement Hunter Education card from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, we may be able to get you a new card.

Request a Card by Mail

Colorado replacement hunter education cards can be requested by mail in application. Requesting a replacement card by mail still costs $5, which would need to be included with the completed application in the envelope.

Get a Replacement Card from an Office

Hunters can also get a free card at a Colorado Parks and Wildlife office if the old card is surrendered.

Find an Office