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Safety Education

There are four safety education programs:

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources safety education program classes are free! Classes are led by certified volunteer safety education instructors. Classes are offered throughout the year and available to students in all Illinois counties. Safety education classes are designed for students ages 12 to 18 years old. The curriculum is based on a sixth grade reading level. 

Each safety education program has a required hour of instruction. The primary objectives of the safety education programs are to teach the user to be ethical, responsible, and safe when they participate in the activity.  

Who Teaches Safety Education Courses?

Illinois certified volunteer safety education instructors teach boating, hunting, trapping and snowmobiling safety education. Volunteer safety education instructors donate their personal time to offer classes in their local communities and throughout Illinois. These dedicated individuals form the backbone the safety education program

What To Bring To A Safety Education Course?

Unless specifically directed by the instructor or announced publicly, the only items you will need to bring are a pencil and a note pad. Manuals and handouts are provided free by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

General Information

  • Safety education programs are open to the public. Federal law prohibits discrimination based on gender, race, color, national origin, or handicap.
  • It is Illinois Department of Natural Resources policy that youth under the age of 10 must be accompanied to and during their safety education class by an adult or guardian at least 16 years old.

Mere attendance at a safety education program and taking a multiple choice test will not guarantee the passing of the class. Criteria such as, but not limited to, mental and physical acuity, the ability to demonstrate and recognize safe procedures, attitude and the maturity level of each individual student will be a factor assessed by the instructors in the final certification process.

Students are required to complete a multiple choice test on their own abilities, without assistance from parents or guardians, unless other arrangements have been discussed and agreed upon with the class instructors.

Click here for class schedules.

If you have questions about classes in your area or you are interested in becoming a certified volunteer instructor, please contact your Regional Volunteer Services Coordinator (VSC).