In North Dakota, our research showed the below requirements to become a hunting guide or fishing guide.  Before operating as a guide ensure that you contact your states wildlife agency directly to verify all requirements.

*Always ensure that you and your clients have the necessary hunting and fishing licenses for the game you will be pursuing.

Basic requirements for Fishing Guide Jobs in North Dakota:

• Fishing Outfitter Eligibility Requirements:
• Must be 18 years of age;
• Must have proof of liability insurance (see Section IV for details on insurance);
• Must pass a background check for criminal and game and fish violations (NDCC
• 20.1-03-38(3) Source);
• Business Association by an Outfitter. The department may only issue an outfitter license to a business applicant if the applicant is qualified to conduct the business of outfitting. A corporation or association may qualify for an outfitter license if a majority of stock is owned by licensed outfitters or guides in good standing, or if a limited liability company, the majority membership interest is owned by licensed outfitters or guides in good standing, actively and regularly employed in and responsible for the management, supervision, and operation of the outfitting business. If a business entity owns, is a leaseholder in land, or provides compensation for the use of land and directly or indirectly receives remuneration from hunting on that land, the business entity must be licensed under this title unless exempt under subsection 4 of section 20.1-03-36.1. A business entity may not conduct business operations through a subsidiary, contractor or an agent that would permit the business entity to avoid this chapter.
• Visit: http://gf.nd.gov/gnf/licensing/docs/guide-outfit-appl.pdf & http://gf.nd.gov/gnf/licensing/docs/guide-h-book-test.pdf for more information.

Other Fishing Guide Requirements that May Be Helpful:

• Driver’s License
• Good communication skills
• Well organized
• Ability to work with diverse groups of clients
• Willingness to teach others effective fishing techniques
• Outdoor survival and first aid skills
• Swimming skills
• Good physical fitness

Basic requirements for Hunting Guide Jobs in North Dakota:

• Must be 18 years of age;
• Must be certified in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
• Must be certified in standard first aid or its equivalent;
• Must have legally hunted in this state for parts of 3 years in a manner directly contributing to the individual’s experiences and competency as a Guide; (NOTE: This section may be waived if the employing outfitter would suffer an undue hardship without that individual.)
• Must pass a background check for criminal and game and fish violations (NDCC § 20.1-
• 03-38(3) Source);
• Must satisfactorily pass a written examination which shows the applicant is proficient in
• the applicable State and Federal laws of hunting wild game; and Must be employed by or contract with a licensed hunting Outfitter.

Hunting Outfitter Eligibility Requirements:

• Must have held a hunting Guide license for 2 years OR operated as an exempt hunting outfitter for two years;
• Must have proof of liability insurance (see Section IV for details on insurance);
• Must be certified in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
• Must be certified in standard first aid;
• Must pass a background check for criminal and game and fish violations (NDCC § 20.1-03-38(3) Source);
• Must satisfactorily pass a written examination which shows the applicant is proficient in the applicable State and Federal laws of hunting wild game;
• Application must include acreage used by County to include the name of owner; and If the application is a renewal, the applicant must include all acreage by County of day leased land used for the previous year.
• Visit: http://gf.nd.gov/gnf/licensing/docs/guide-outfit-appl.pdf & http://gf.nd.gov/gnf/licensing/docs/guide-h-book-test.pdf for more information.

Other Hunting Guide Requirements that May Be Helpful:

• Driver’s License
• Good communication skills
• Well organized
• Ability to work with diverse groups of clients
• Willingness to teach others effective hunting techniques
• Outdoor survival and first aid skills
• Firearm safety skills
• Good physical fitness 

State Wildlife Agency Contact:

Agency Name: North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Website: http://gf.nd.gov/

Phone Number: 701-328-6300

Email Address: ndgf@nd.gov