Becoming a Maine Guide

With over 25 years’ experience in teaching the Registered Maine Guide Training program, thousands of participants who now own successful Guide businesses, and over 3 decades of Guiding in the field - Let us guide you now in becoming one of Maine’s Elite Outdoors-men and Outdoors-women. Become a Registered Maine Guide.

Our curriculum is a valuable asset to the outdoor knowledge you bring to the classroom and the field. Using practical techniques, extensive map and compass work, 500 question test, mock oral board, and more, our training program is designed to help you  discover your strengths, learn new skills, gain confidence and knowledge while understanding what is required for the oral and written testing portions of becoming a Maine Guide.   

You will be 100% prepared to test with Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

The Registered Maine Guide Training program is an opportunity for possibilities. Do what you love and create a successful guide business. 

The State Approved Maine Guide Training curriculum is comprised of Licenses: Recreation, Fishing, and Hunting Guide licenses. 90% of the information needed for testing overlaps each other, which allows this training to easily cover all three licenses.

• State Approved Curriculum: Recreation, Fishing, and Hunting Guide Licenses

• Extensive Map Reading and Compass Skills

• Extensive “Outdoor” practical information related to testing and Guiding

• Maine Guide First-Aid Training available

• Outdoor Handbook written by Maine’s Outdoor Learning Center with 500 Question Practice Test

• Mock Oral Board

Guide Licenses Covered:

• Recreation:  Canoe, Kayak, Camping, Hiking, ATV Tours, Outdoor Retreats and more 
• Fishing: Inland and Tidal Waters
• Hunting: Big and Small Game

Maine's Outdoor Learning Center's Training Classes:

• Registered Maine Guide School: 28 Contact Hours 
• Registered Maine Guide School & Field Training: 80 Contact Hours
• Specialized Tidewater Guide School: 16 Contact Hours
• Private Training by the Hour

We offer the Registered Maine Guide Training Program in two method:

- 4 days (9:00 – 5:00) 28 hours of academic with practical, non-residential throughout the State of Maine.  In-Person Training: Thursday - Sunday

- Week long;  6 nights/7 days residential at our field site training facility on the Mattawamkeag River located in Winn, Maine where we are immersed in the woods and waters of Maine,  shifting from desktop to field. Sunday - Saturday

- Private Training for yourself or a group is also available

There is no such thing as a resident or non-resident guide - You are a Registered Maine Guide – Period! 

MOLC has been proudly teaching people on becoming a Maine Guide since 1997 and the passing grades from our students’ not only measures the success rate of our dedication to learning, but also their commitment to becoming a great guide.  Pass rate on the first time is around 92% and 99.9% for retesting.

However, you choose to train; classroom or hands on woods and waters - our professional instructors are there to educate and prepare you not only for the oral and written exams, but in finding your strengths as woodsmen and woods-women. 

Our Guide School Training has been noted to be very intense and highly effective. We pride ourselves in not just teaching you book knowledge, tools of the trade, but to also share with you the information gained from our instructors’ experiences as Guides. 

The testing process can be bear, and paying attention to details in class through listening, taking notes, and asking questions, along with the experience you come to the table with, you will become masters of Maine woods and waters; A Registered Maine Guide.   

YOU WILL PASS! And we do stay by your side until the patch is in your hands.

Photo Credits on this page goes to Registered Maine Guide Dillon Reno

Becoming a Registered Maine Guide

 "John, Tami & Greg, I learned a lot, remembered a lot and met some great people in both classmates and instructors. I found the classroom atmosphere to be low stress and comfortable even when being placed on the hot seat. During the class I was able to Identify the strengths and weaknesses in my knowledge and also realize that there is not going to be much that is black and white in guiding. As I fill out my application to send in for my test date I feel very confident in my preparation for the testing. I shall continue to practice things learned and remembered, and studying my weaknesses while reviewing my strengths. Maine's Outdoor Learning Center is helping to guide ( no pun intended, well maybe) to my lifelong dream and goal of becoming a Registered Maine Guide. I thank you all for this and shall take additional courses with you in the future to continue to hone the skills to be the best guide that I can. Thank You! I look forward to making the phone call stating " I Passed". The hardest part is deciding which classification to apply for first. Thank you all again! " - Tony Tozier