Archery Proficiency Testing

Archery Proficiency Certification

Rhode Island requires Archery Proficiency Certification testing every two years for bowhunting deer in locations such as Prudence Island, Patience Island, and Block Island. This requirement applies to private, state, and federal lands.

Archery proficiency certification is also required at certain public and cooperative hunting properties. For the 2026–2027 hunting season, these include:

• Beavertail State Park
• Jamestown Town cooperative properties: Areas 1, 2, 3 and 4
• Bristol Town cooperative properties: Hopeworth, Minturn, Skaters Pond, and 100 Acre Woods
• Block Island National Wildlife Refuge: Beane Point Unit, Grove Point Unit, Sandy Point, Skippers Island Unit, Wash Pond Unit)
• John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge
• Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge
• Prudence Island 
• Patience Island
• Block Island

For small game archery hunting, archery proficiency certification is not required on most private and state lands. However, certification is required at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge and John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge. Small game archery hunting is not permitted at Beavertail State Park, Bristol Town cooperative properties, or anywhere in the Town of Lincoln.

Requirements vary by property, species, and type of hunting, and hunting regulations and participating properties may change. Hunters should always review the current Rhode Island Hunting and Trapping Abstract before hunting for the most up-to-date list of public locations requiring Archery Proficiency Certification and for property-specific rules and restrictions.

Some towns restrict hunting or the discharge of firearms; therefore, it is also important to check applicable town ordinances before hunting.

Schedule a TEST

Note: Only DFW Hunter Education staff can issue an Archery Proficiency card immediately after a passed test. Testers at all other contacts/locations must wait for Hunter Education staff to receive and process the test record card(s).

Testing Requirements and Protocols

Adult participants must bring a valid photo ID and a Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO) account

The proficiency test consists of:

• Five shots from 20 yards
• To pass, three of five arrows must strike the vital area of a life-sized, two-dimensional deer silhouette target
• No practice shots are allowed before testing

Recommendation: You should be able to consistently group your shots within an 8-inch circle before taking the test.

Participants may shoot standing, kneeling, or sitting. Crossbow shooters may brace against the body, if desired. Shooting rests, such as monopod or bipod shooting sticks, are not permitted.

Equipment Requirements:

The participant must provide five arrows or bolts equipped with broadheads. Participants can NOT reuse the same arrow(s). The test is over once the participant approaches the target to review score and retrieve arrows/bolts.

Broadheads must have a minimum of two cutting edges 7/8" or greater at the widest point and may be fixed-blade or mechanical. Broadheads do not need to be a matched set or sharpened.

Manufacturer-provided practice broadheads are acceptable. Field, bullet, judo, or any point not physically identical to those legal for deer hunting are not acceptable.

Broadheads must be covered in a quiver while being transported attached to arrows and bolts or brought to the range unassembled.

Bows must register a draw weight of at least 40 pounds if using fixed blade broadheads and 50 pounds if using mechanical broadheads. The test proctor may require participants to verify draw weight with a handheld tester. Crossbows do not need to be measured unless there is reasonable suspicion that it does not meet the 125-pound draw requirement.

Retesting: Only ONE attempt is allowed per 24-hour day. If a participant fails twice within 72 hours, a 5-day waiting period will be enforced before the next attempt.