(a) (1) (i) On or after July 1, 1977, a person under 18 years of age may not procure a hunting license or hunt in the State, unless the person has first been issued a certificate of competency in firearms and hunter safety.
(ii) On or after July 1, 1977, a person, regardless of age, may not procure a hunting license without producing a certificate of competency or a hunting license issued before July 1, 1977, or making out an affidavit that the person hunted before July 1, 1977.
(2) (i) This section does not apply to nonresidents of Maryland who purchase a nonresident 3–day hunting license in the State to hunt wild waterfowl.
(ii) This section applies to nonresidents of Maryland who purchase hunting licenses in the State to hunt wildlife other than wild waterfowl.
(b) (1) The Department shall prescribe a course of instruction in conservation and in competency and safety in the handling of firearms.
(2) (i) The Department shall designate those persons or agencies authorized to give the course of instruction, and this designation shall be valid until revoked by the Department.
(ii) Those designated persons shall submit to the Department validated listings naming all persons who have successfully completed the course of instruction.
(3) The Department shall issue a certificate of competency and safety to each person who successfully completes the course of instruction, and the certificate shall be valid until revoked by the Department.
(4) The Department may not issue a certificate of competency and safety to an individual under the age of 18 unless the individual has completed satisfactorily the course of instruction, or produces a certificate of competency or a hunting license issued prior to July 1, 1978, or makes out an affidavit that the individual had such a license.
(c) (1) The Department shall institute and coordinate a statewide course of instruction in conservation and in competency and safety in the handling of firearms, and in so doing, the Department may cooperate with any political subdivision or with any reputable organization having as one of its objectives the promotion of competency and safety in the handling of firearms, such as the National Rifle Association and local rod and gun clubs.
(2) The Department may conduct the course in hunter safety and issue the certificates, using Department personnel or other persons at times and in areas where other competent agencies are unable or unwilling to meet the demand for instruction.
(3) Any similar certificate, or hunting license, issued outside the State by a governmental agency, shall be accepted as complying with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, if the privileges are reciprocal for Maryland residents.
(d) The Department shall adopt regulations to provide for the course of instruction and the issuance of the certificates consistent with the purpose of this section.
(e) (1) On or after July 1, 1977, any person who obtains a hunting license by presenting a fictitious certificate of competency or who attempts to obtain a certificate of competency or hunting license through fraud shall have his hunting privileges revoked by the Department for a period not to exceed 1 year.
(2) Any applicant who is refused a certificate of competency under this section may appeal the decision or action of the issuing unit to the Secretary.
(f) (1) The Department or a person designated by the Department may issue a 1–year gratis hunting license to a Maryland resident under the age of 16 years who has successfully completed a hunter safety course.
(2) A hunting license issued under this subsection shall include all applicable hunting stamps, except for migratory game bird stamps and bonus deer stamps.
(3) An individual may be issued only one such license during the individual’s lifetime.
(g) (1) The Department or a person designated by the Department shall issue a complimentary hunting license each year to an individual who:
(i) Has been authorized by the Department to give the course of instruction in conservation and in competency and safety in the handling of firearms under subsection (b) of this section;
(ii) Has completed at least 5 years of service as an instructor of this course;
(iii) Maintains active certification as an instructor of this course;
(iv) Has taught two hunter safety courses during the fiscal year preceding the issuance of the license; and
(v) Has indicated to the Department an interest in receiving a complimentary hunting license.
(2) A hunting license issued under this subsection shall include all applicable hunting stamps, except for migratory game bird stamps and bonus deer stamps.
(h) (1) The Department may adopt regulations to establish a program to provide incentives for the successful completion of a hunter safety course by an individual who is not required by law to complete a hunter safety course.
(2) The program may include:
(i) Discounts on hunting licenses; and
(ii) Any other incentive the Department determines to be appropriate.