OLYMPIA -- Duplicate hunter education certificates now cost $8, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced.

The fee for duplicates was effective July 1.

The department issues thousands of duplicate certificates each year. Although duplicates traditionally have been issued for free, recent department budget reductions made the fee necessary.

The certificates are issued when hunters complete a state-required education course and must be shown by hunters born after January 1, 1972, who are purchasing their first hunting license.