Minn. Stat. § 97B.020: FIREARMS SAFETY CERTIFICATE REQUIRED.

(a) Except as provided in this section and section 97A.451, subdivisions 3 and 3b, a person born after December 31, 1979, may not obtain an annual license to take wild animals by firearms unless the person has:

(1) a firearms safety certificate or equivalent certificate;

(2) a driver's license or identification card with a valid firearms safety qualification indicator issued under section 171.07, subdivision 13;

(3) a previous hunting license with a valid firearms safety qualification indicator;

(4) an apprentice-hunter validation issued under section 97B.022; or

(5) other evidence indicating that the person has completed in this state or in another state a hunter safety course recognized by the department under a reciprocity agreement or certified by the department as substantially similar.

(b) A person who is on active duty and has successfully completed basic training in the United States armed forces, reserve component, or National Guard may obtain a hunting license or approval authorizing hunting regardless of whether the person is issued a firearms safety certificate.

(c) A person born after December 31, 1979, may not use a lifetime license to take wild animals by firearms, unless the person meets the requirements for obtaining an annual license under paragraph (a) or (b).