Tom,
I will brag a little on our liberal blue butt state: Minnesota has a premier firearm safety and hunter education program. It is one of the few courses that is recognized by nearly every state in the union. We cover firearm safety, terminology (clip vs. Magazine, and the one Mr. Potterfield failed this morning

horn vs. antler), shooting knowledge and technique, hunting ethics, hunting laws, shooting skills, field skills, and they must pass both a written and field test on all information. Our course is about 16 hours - we go 2 to 2 1/2 hours per night for eight nights, plus the range day of about two hours.
Not all states demand the same level, but in most cases when they trim it back it is the hunter side that gets cut rather than the firearm safety. That is why so many states, like Kansas and Colorado, require a hunter's education class be taken when you come in, however they both recognize MN. The only state I have considered that did not honor my Minnesota certificate was Alaska. However, Alaska has a very strict view of wanton waste.