FAQs

Pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) for non-restricted firearms and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) for restricted firearms. Both are federal courses, both are in-person, neither involves live fire. After passing, apply to the RCMP for your licence.

For a full PAL covering both classes, yes. For a non-restricted PAL only, just the CFSC. The CFSC is a prerequisite for the CRFSC.

Non-restricted covers most common rifles and shotguns, the firearms the CFSC deals with. Restricted includes most handguns and certain rifles as defined by the Criminal Code, covered by the CRFSC. For a full breakdown of the classes and what each licence lets you do, see our guide to non-restricted vs restricted firearms.

Two consecutive days or three consecutive evenings, exams included. The CFSC alone requires at least 8 hours of instruction and the CRFSC adds its own required hours, so the course cannot be shortened, and full attendance is required before you can sit the exams.

$270 plus tax for both, which saves $55 versus taking them separately.

The CFSC portion is open to students 12 and older with written consent from a parent or guardian. Minors can use a passed CFSC toward a Minor's Licence, not a PAL. You must be 18 to apply for a PAL and 18 to take the CRFSC portion. If you are under 18 and only need the non-restricted course, take the CFSC on its own rather than the combined course.

No. The CFSC is the course. The PAL is the licence the RCMP issues after you pass.

Across Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Metro Vancouver locations: Vancouver (LaSalle College, across from Renfrew SkyTrain Station), Delta, New Westminster, and Langley. Vancouver Island locations: Nanaimo, Parksville, Comox Valley, and Victoria. For the Vancouver venue, dates and directions, see PAL Course in Vancouver.

Below are some study materials to help you prepare for your class. Keep in mind, these are not required to be printed off or completed prior to your class, but included in case you need it as a resource.

• Student Handbook – Canadian (Non Restricted & Restricted) Firearms Safety Course Handbook
• Silvercore Youtube Channel - Subscribe to our Youtube channel and get access to dozens of expert instructional videos for free
• Pro Tips to pass your CFSC/CRFSC Canadian Firearms Safety Course from our podcast and blog, as well as tons of other useful content
• PAL application form: Possession & Acquisition Licence (PAL) Application Form
• CFSC / CRFSC Online Theory – If you purchase this with your in-person course you can get $35 in savings. This is optional and not a requirement prior to your course

Finally, we will supply everything necessary to successfully complete the course. The only thing we ask is that you bring:

• 1 piece of government-issued photo ID
• A pen/pencil & a notepad or other note taking materials

No, you will be training with non-firing, deactivated firearms exclusively.

Some organizations may require you to provide proof of passing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course to start your job application process. For more information, please contact the organization you’re interested in working for. Silvercore cannot speak on behalf of other organizations’ hiring policies.

While the course can be given in any language, the RCMP stipulates that the Canadian Firearms Safety Course is only to be tested in Canada’s two official languages (English and French). Many ESL candidates have had success with the Canadian Firearms Safety Course Online that Silvercore offers to prepare for their course in the comfort of their own home.

Yes. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to take the CFSC or CRFSC, and visitors and newcomers take our courses regularly. Your course reports are issued the same way as for any other student. The PAL application process works differently for non-residents, and our guide to getting a PAL as a non-citizen covers what changes.

To pass the CFSC/CRFSC written examinations you will need to obtain at least 80% on each exam. If you fail to do this, you cannot go on to take the practical exams. To pass the CFSC/CRFSC practical examinations you will need to obtain at least 80% on each exam.

Each written exam is 50 multiple-choice questions with an 80% pass mark, so you can miss up to 10 and still pass. If you want to know where you stand before course day, take our free PAL practice test, and our guide on how to study for the PAL exam lays out a plan.

You can retest. The RCMP requires retests to be completed within 7 days of the original exam, and Silvercore schedules retests to fit that window. In extenuating circumstances the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program can grant permission to retest outside the 7 days, decided case by case at their discretion. Students who add the Online Theory course at registration receive a free retest.

Yes, you will be given a lunch break around 12:45 on day 1 which will be approximately 45 minutes- 1 hour long. Day 2 will be a little bit different due to the examinations schedule. Therefore, we recommend bringing snacks to eat during your small breaks over day 2. Meals and beverages are not provided by Silvercore Outdoors.

No. The CFSC and CRFSC are in-person courses by federal requirement, and the written and practical exams are done in a classroom with a certified instructor. There is no online version of the course or the exams. What you can do online is prepare: our CFSC / CRFSC Online Theory course covers the full curriculum at home before your in-person course.

No. Exam challenges are no longer permitted. Anyone applying for their first Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) must complete the full Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). For more information please visit the RCMP’s website here.

Once you have passed the examinations for the CFSC/CRFSC you will fill out your PAL application form and send it into the RCMP. There is a 28 day waiting period prior to processing. Between applying, approval and receiving your PAL, please allow 3 – 6 months.
If you are concerned about your PAL application you can use the RCMP’s website tool to check the status of your PAL or you can call the RCMP at 1-800-731-4000.

Yes. In addition to your course fees, you will be required to pay a PAL application fee to the Government when submitting your application.

Application fees as of March 31, 2026:

- Non-Restricted PAL: $70.38

- Non-Restricted and Restricted PAL (full PAL): $93.84

These fees are set under the federal Firearms Fees Regulations and are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, see the RCMP fee schedule.

Your PAL is valid for 5 years. Renew using the PAL renewal form or through the RCMP's website before your expiry date. Renewal fees apply at the same rates as new applications (see "Are there any additional fees for my PAL?" above for current figures). Fees change annually on March 31 under the Service Fees Act. Limited fee waivers exist for specific categories (youth licences, sustenance hunters who meet CFO criteria, and certain business ammunition manufacturers), but general renewals require payment. We recommend renewing at least three months before your expiration date in case processing takes longer than expected.

No. If your PAL has expired, you do not need to take the CFSC/CRFSC training again, but you will need proof of having completed training to re-apply.
If you have a copy of your course reports from previous safety training, it is still valid and can be re-submitted for application in order to reapply for your PAL.
If you don’t have a copy of your course reports and you completed your safety training with Silvercore, we can provide you with a copy of them for a nominal administrative fee.
If for whatever reason you are unable to locate or obtain a copy of your reports, you may be able to contact the Chief Firearms Officer to see if they have it on file. They can be contacted at 1-800-731-4000.

No. 100% attendance is required for all classes, including the CFSC/CRFSC course. The RCMP has a minimum number of course hours that are required before testing is permitted. If you cannot attend the full class, please choose an alternate date in which you can.
The instructor has the authority to turn away any student who arrives late to class. In this instance, if you have not provided the required 48 hours notice to transfer or cancel your course booking, your credit will be lost, per our cancellation/transfer policy. Please refer to our refund policy for more details.

If you have been subject to a peace bond or protection, you may or may not be able to attend the course and should seek legal counsel prior to attending.

Any individual prohibited from possessing firearms cannot attend any of our firearms courses including the CFSC/CRFSC.

For most people, no. A narrow group, including trappers and remote wilderness workers, can apply for an Authorization to Carry. It requires a restricted PAL, which starts with this course.

If you own restricted firearms, you need an Authorization to Transport to move them to a range, and in BC that typically comes through membership in an approved club. The Silvercore Club is an RCMP-approved ATT club serving members across Canada, and membership includes $5 million in liability insurance through Lloyd's of London. $59 a year.