This page explains how to get a PAL licence in Canada: the Possession and Acquisition Licence that lets you possess and acquire firearms and buy ammunition. (If you were looking for a Provincial Attestation Letter for a study permit, that is a different document handled by immigration authorities. This site covers firearms licences only.)
The process is the same across the country because firearms licensing is federal, run by the RCMP's Canadian Firearms Program. Your province's Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) issues the licence and designates course instructors. Below are the five steps, the costs as of October 2026, a realistic timeline, and what changes for an RPAL or a minor's licence. To check whether you are ready for the exam itself, take the free PAL practice test.
The 5 steps to get a PAL licence
| Step | What you do | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Take the course | Book and attend the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) | 1 to 2 days, or several evenings |
| 2. Pass the tests | Written test and practical handling test, 80% each | Same day as the course |
| 3. Get your course report | Your instructor signs it; it is your proof of training | Same day or shortly after |
| 4. Apply to the RCMP | Online, or paper form RCMP 5592, with photo, guarantor and references | An evening to prepare |
| 5. Wait for screening and approval | Background checks, partner notification, reference checks | At least 28 days |
Key fact: The CFSC is a legal requirement, not a recommendation. Firearms Act s.7 makes passing the course tests a condition of eligibility for a licence (Firearms Act).
Step 1: Take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course
The RCMP states that first-time licence applicants must pass the CFSC before applying for a PAL (rcmp.ca safety courses). Anyone 12 or older can take the tests. Children under 12 can attend for education only.
How to find a course
Courses are run by instructors designated by your province's CFO. In some provinces a delivery agent organizes them on the CFO's behalf. Start with the RCMP's find an instructor page.
| Province | Who organizes courses (per the RCMP list, as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario (FSESO) |
| Alberta | Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association (since 1 September 2026; previously AHEIA) |
| Quebec | Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs |
| Nova Scotia | Safety Services Nova Scotia |
| British Columbia and Yukon | Chief Firearms Officer office (private instructors deliver courses) |
| Other provinces and territories | Chief Firearms Officer office or a provincial department |
Course length, format and price vary. Ontario's FSESO, for example, requires a minimum of 8 instructional hours for the CFSC. Our PAL course guide compares costs and formats by province.
What about challenging the exam?
You cannot skip the course as a new applicant. The option of getting a licence by passing the tests without completing the course was removed by Bill C-42, the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act, in 2015. Ontario's delivery agent states plainly that challenge tests are no longer permitted. If you see "challenge" advertised, ask exactly what it means: it may refer to a retest, a refresher, or a hunter education exam rather than the CFSC.
The narrow exceptions in the law (for example, some long-time owners certified by a CFO, or sustenance hunters under 18) are listed on the RCMP safety course exceptions page. Most people do not qualify.
Step 2: Pass the written and practical tests
The course ends with two tests. CFO delivery agents state an 80% pass mark on each. The RCMP does not publish the number of written questions; instructors commonly use about 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and our mocks use 50.
| Test | What it covers | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|
| Written | Nine official topics: firearm classes and parts, ACTS and PROVE, ammunition, actions, handling and carries, firing, care, the law, storage, display and transport | 80% (delivery agents) |
| Practical | Identify actions, load and unload with dummy ammunition, PROVE each firearm, pass safely, fit a locking device | 80% (delivery agents) |
Storage, transport and the law produce many of the written questions, so study those rules carefully. Our PAL test format guide covers timing and question types, and the PAL practical test guide walks through every action.
Exam tip: Most people who fail the written test lose marks on the exact wording of storage and transport rules. Read the storage and transport study note twice, then drill the storage topic.
If you fail
Retest rules are set provincially. A common rule is one retest, and failing again means repeating the course. In Ontario, FSESO requires retests within 30 days. Ask your instructor before the course starts.
Step 3: Get your course report
When you pass, your instructor signs a course report. This is your official proof of passing the tests. Keep it somewhere safe and take a photo or scan. You need it for the application, and the CFSC course report is also accepted in some provinces for hunting purposes (for example, it exempts you from the BC CORE practical).
There is no time limit printed on the RCMP pages for using a course report, but rules can change. Apply soon after you pass.
Step 4: Apply to the RCMP (online or form 5592)
You have two ways to apply (rcmp.ca apply for a firearms licence).
Online application
Eligible first-time applicants aged 12 or older can apply online. You need:
- a valid email address;
- proof of your completed safety training;
- a digital licence photo;
- two government-issued pieces of ID;
- a credit card or Visa or Mastercard debit card;
- for adults, valid email addresses for your two references, your photo guarantor, and any current or former conjugal partner.
Paper application: RCMP form 5592
If you cannot apply online, use the paper form RCMP GRC 5592, the PAL application for individuals 18 and older. It must carry a handwritten signature in blue or black ink; electronic signatures are not accepted on paper forms. The form asks for:
- Personal details and addresses for the past five years.
- Training proof: your CFSC course report, and your CRFSC report if you want restricted privileges.
- Background questions about criminal history, mental health and relationships. Answer honestly. False statements to obtain a licence are an offence under the Firearms Act.
- Conjugal partners: current partners and anyone you lived with in a similar relationship in the last two years. Their signatures are not legally required, but if they do not sign, the CFO must notify them of your application.
- Two references who are willing to be contacted.
- A photo signed by a guarantor who is 18 or older and has known you for at least one year. Your partner, or one of your references, can be the guarantor.
- Payment. The fee is non-refundable.
Quebec residents applying for restricted privileges must include Sûreté du Québec form SQ-3007. If you have lived in Canada for less than five years, you may need a letter of good conduct.
Key fact: Since 2021, licence screening looks at your whole life history, not only the last five years. Since April 2025, a licence must be refused or revoked in cases involving intimate partner violence or certain protection orders.
Step 5: Wait for approval
The Firearms Licences Regulations say a CFO may not issue a first licence until at least 28 days after the application was made (SOR/98-199 s.5). That is a minimum, not a promise. Screening includes background checks, partner notification and sometimes reference calls or an interview. Many applications take longer, especially in busy periods before hunting season.
The RCMP apply page does not state a processing time. Avoid applying with a missing reference email or an unsigned photo, which are common reasons for delays. Once approved, your licence card arrives by mail. It is valid for five years.
How much does a PAL cost? (October 2026)
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PAL licence fee, non-restricted | $70.38 (until 30 March 2027; $72.35 from 31 March 2027) | RCMP service fees |
| PAL with restricted or prohibited privileges | $93.84 (until 30 March 2027; $96.47 after) | RCMP service fees |
| Upgrade an existing PAL to restricted | $46.92 (until 30 March 2027) | RCMP service fees |
| CFSC course, Ontario FSESO | $210 | FSESO course list, 2026 |
| CRFSC course, Ontario FSESO | $170; both courses together $380 | FSESO course list, 2026 |
| CFSC course, Nova Scotia | $90 + HST | Safety Services Nova Scotia |
| CFSC course, Quebec | $113 including tax, manual and exams ($116 in 2027) | FédéCP |
| CFSC course, BC private instructors | Commonly about $190 to $235 (prices vary, not regulated) | Course providers |
| Licence photo, travel, handbook | Varies |
The RCMP accepts payment by credit card, certified cheque or money order; it cannot accept cash. Licence fees are indexed to inflation every 31 March, so always check the RCMP fees page before you pay.
Typical all-in cost: about $260 to $310 for a non-restricted PAL in Ontario (course plus licence fee), and roughly $475 for an RPAL taking both courses back to back, before photos and travel.
Realistic timeline
| Week | What happens |
|---|---|
| Week 0 | Book a course. Popular dates before fall hunting seasons fill early. |
| Week 0 to 2 | Study with the handbook and practice tests. |
| Course day(s) | Attend, pass the written and practical tests, receive your course report. |
| Same week | Apply online or mail form 5592 with all documents. |
| At least 4 weeks later | Earliest possible issue date (28-day minimum). |
| Often longer | Screening, reference checks and mail add time. The RCMP does not promise a date, so do not book a hunt that depends on your card arriving. |
How to get an RPAL
An RPAL is a PAL with restricted privileges. You need both the CFSC and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC), which is for people 18 and over. Most people take the two courses back to back. The licence fee is $93.84, or $46.92 to upgrade an existing PAL.
Since 21 October 2022, most individuals cannot buy, sell or transfer handguns in Canada. People still take the CRFSC to possess other restricted firearms, to keep and use handguns they already own, or under narrow exemptions. Our PAL vs RPAL guide explains the differences, and the RPAL practice test covers the restricted exam.
Minors: the minor's licence (ages 12 to 17)
Young people aged 12 to 17 can take the CFSC and pass the tests, then apply for a minor's licence with a parent or guardian's consent. It lets the holder borrow non-restricted firearms for approved purposes, such as hunting or target shooting, and buy ammunition. It does not allow acquiring firearms, even as a gift, or any restricted firearm (RCMP minors page). A Firearms Officer may interview the applicant and parent.
You may apply for the adult PAL up to six months before your 18th birthday. Minor sustenance hunters are a separate category with their own rules.
After you have your PAL
- Report a change of address to the CFO within 30 days.
- Store and transport firearms legally. See the legal responsibilities study note.
- Renew every five years. If you miss the date, a six-month extension lets you keep your firearms but not use them or acquire firearms, ammunition or magazines.
- Province guides: see how to get a PAL in Ontario for local course options.
Your study plan
- Book your CFSC through the RCMP instructor list or your province's delivery agent.
- Read the free CFSC exam guide and the ACTS and PROVE note.
- Take the free PAL diagnostic to find your weak topics.
- Take the free full PAL mock: 50 questions, 60 minutes, 40 correct to pass on our mock.
- For more timed mocks and every topic drill before your course date, see Pro. This site is an independent study aid; your instructor runs the real tests.
- Gather your reference and guarantor details before course day so you can apply the same week you pass.
10 free PAL (CFSC) practice questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. For a timed experience use the free mock exam.
1. What do the 'shell stops' (shell latches) in a pump shotgun do?
- A. Hold the barrel firmly onto the receiver
- B. Stop the fore-end from sliding at all
- C. Hold shells in the tube until one is fed
- D. Stop the shot pattern from spreading
Show answer
C. Hold shells in the tube until one is fed
Shell stops keep shells in the tube until the action releases one onto the carrier. Pressing them is also one way to unload the magazine (CFSC Handbook, Module 6).
2. When deciding eligibility, which past court order involving an intimate partner must a CFO take into account?
- A. A parking ban at a condominium
- B. A family court order on child support
- C. A firearms ban after violence to a partner
- D. A civil judgment for unpaid rent
Show answer
C. A firearms ban after violence to a partner
Firearms Act s.5(2)(e) directs the CFO to consider whether, in respect of an offence involving violence against an intimate or former intimate partner, the person was previously prohibited by a prohibition order from possessing firearms and other weapons.
3. A cartridge is described as '6.5 mm'. What does the number refer to?
- A. The barrel length in inches
- B. The case length in centimetres
- C. The rough bullet diameter in millimetres
- D. The number of cartridges per box
Show answer
C. The rough bullet diameter in millimetres
Metric calibres give the approximate bullet or bore diameter in millimetres. Case length, capacity and barrel length are other measurements.
4. When firing a shotgun, where should your body weight be?
- A. On the back leg
- B. On the leading leg
- C. Evenly on the heels
- D. On the toes of the back foot
Show answer
B. On the leading leg
When firing a shotgun, shift your body weight to the leading leg, with the leading hand on the fore-stock pointing naturally at the target.
5. For a right-handed shooter in the standing position, how is the body placed?
- A. About 45° to the right of the target
- B. Square to the target
- C. Back to the target
- D. About 90° to the left of the target
Show answer
A. About 45° to the right of the target
In the standing position, a right-handed shooter turns about 45° to the right of the target with the feet about shoulder-width apart.
6. You are hunting alone and come to a barbed-wire fence. What is the safest way to cross?
- A. Unload, slide it under the fence, cross away from the muzzle
- B. Climb over holding the loaded rifle
- C. Lean the loaded rifle on the fence and climb
- D. Cross with the safety on and finger outside the guard
Show answer
A. Unload, slide it under the fence, cross away from the muzzle
Unload the firearm and PROVE it, place it on the far side or slide it under the fence with the muzzle pointed away from where you will cross, cross at a different spot, then pick it up by the stock and check the bore before reloading.
7. You sell your non-restricted rifle to a licensed buyer who lives in another province. What is required?
- A. A registration certificate
- B. The buyer's licence and a valid reference number
- C. Nothing extra; out-of-province sales are unregulated
- D. A permit from both provinces
Show answer
B. The buyer's licence and a valid reference number
Firearms Act s.23 applies to any non-restricted transfer in Canada: the buyer must hold a licence to acquire it and you must obtain a valid reference number from the Registrar. Licences are valid throughout Canada (s.63). Shipping must follow SOR/98-209.
8. When may you load one barrel of a double-barrelled percussion shotgun?
- A. Only with both hammers cocked
- B. Only after the other barrel's cap is off
- C. Only after firing both barrels
- D. Any time, if the muzzle is up
Show answer
B. Only after the other barrel's cap is off
Do not load one barrel of a double-barrelled muzzleloading shotgun unless the percussion cap on the other barrel's nipple has been removed.
9. Why should you never shoot at flat, hard surfaces or at water?
- A. The noise is much louder
- B. It damages the barrel's rifling
- C. Bullets can ricochet unpredictably
- D. It is only a problem with shotguns
Show answer
C. Bullets can ricochet unpredictably
Projectiles striking water, rock or other flat, hard surfaces can glance off (ricochet) at unpredictable angles and carry dangerous energy a long way. The CFSC teaches choosing targets with a safe backstop that will stop projectiles.
10. What is the 'hammer' on a firearm?
- A. The part that strikes the firing pin or primer
- B. The sling attachment at the butt
- C. The part used to clean the bore
- D. The part that holds the magazine
Show answer
A. The part that strikes the firing pin or primer
The hammer is a spring-powered part that, when released by the trigger, strikes the firing pin (or directly the primer in some designs) to fire the cartridge. It may be exposed or internal.
Frequently asked questions
+How long does it take to get a PAL in Canada?
Plan for the course (usually one or two days, or a few evenings), then the application. The law sets a minimum 28-day wait for first-time applicants, and many applications take longer because of background checks and reference calls. Check rcmp.ca for current processing information before you apply.
+How much does a PAL cost in 2026?
The RCMP licence fee is $70.38 for a non-restricted PAL and $93.84 for restricted or prohibited privileges, valid until 30 March 2027. Course fees are separate and set by instructors, commonly about $190 to $450 depending on the province and whether you take both courses.
+Can I apply for my PAL online?
Yes, if you are an eligible first-time applicant aged 12 or older. You need a valid email address, your completed safety training, a digital photo, two government-issued IDs, a credit card or eligible debit card, and email addresses for your references and photo guarantor. Others apply by mail on the paper form.
+What is RCMP form 5592?
RCMP GRC 5592 is the paper application for a Possession and Acquisition Licence for individuals 18 and older. It asks for your training proof, background questions, a photo signed by a guarantor, two references and information about current and former conjugal partners.
+Can I challenge the PAL test without taking the course?
Not as a new applicant. Bill C-42 (2015) removed the option of getting a licence by passing the tests without completing the course. You must attend the CFSC and pass its written and practical tests.
+How old do you have to be to get a PAL?
The adult PAL is for people 18 and older. Ages 12 to 17 can take the course and apply for a minor's licence, which lets them borrow non-restricted firearms for approved purposes. You may apply for the adult PAL up to six months before turning 18.
+Who can be my references for a PAL application?
Adult applicants list two references and a photo guarantor who is 18 or older and has known you for at least a year. Your spouse or partner, or one of your references, can act as the guarantor. Check the RCMP form instructions for who cannot act as a reference.
+Do I need an RPAL to own a handgun?
A licence with restricted privileges is needed to possess restricted firearms, including handguns. However, since 21 October 2022 most individuals cannot acquire handguns by transfer in Canada. Read our PAL vs RPAL guide for what this means in 2026.
+How long is a PAL valid?
Five years. Renew before it expires. If you miss the date, the law gives a six-month extension during which you may keep your firearms but cannot use them or acquire firearms, ammunition or magazines.
Study offline on your phone too
The Canada Licence Prep app has the same questions with audio, French explanations and an ACTS & PROVE coach.
Keep reading
- PAL Course Guide: Cost, Length and Online OptionsWhat a CFSC/CRFSC course costs, how long it takes, whether you can do it online or challenge the exam, and how to choose an instructor.
- PAL vs RPAL: What's the Difference?PAL covers non-restricted rifles and shotguns; RPAL adds restricted firearms. Compare courses, exams, fees, storage rules and 2026 handgun limits.
- Free PAL Practice Test (CFSC)Free 50-question CFSC mock exam for the PAL test: 80% pass mark, timed like the real thing, scored instantly with explanations. Start with a diagnostic.
- How Many Questions Are on the PAL Test?The CFSC written test is reported at about 50 questions with an 80% pass mark, plus a practical test. Format, timing, fees and what each part covers.
- How to Get a PAL in OntarioOntario PAL guide: approved CFSC courses, typical course prices, the Ontario CFO, processing times, minimum age and pairing it with hunter ed.
- PAL Practical Test: What to ExpectWhat the CFSC practical exam checks: safe muzzle direction, PROVE on each action type, loading, unloading and ammunition ID. Step-by-step checklist.