This page explains how to get a PAL in Alberta in 2026: who now runs the courses, how to find a designated instructor in Calgary, Edmonton and smaller centres, what it costs, and how to combine your firearms licence with Alberta Hunter Education. "PAL" means the firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence. It is federal, so the application and the 28-day wait are the same nationwide; read how to get a PAL in Canada for the national walkthrough. This page covers what is different in Alberta.
To check your starting point, take the free PAL practice test or the short PAL diagnostic. The CFSC content is the same national curriculum in Alberta as everywhere else.
How to get a PAL in Alberta: the short version
- Find a designated CFSC instructor on the Alberta Chief Firearms Office's list, now administered by the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association (SPFGA).
- Attend the course in person.
- Pass the written test and the practical handling test (80% on each is the standard used by delivery agents).
- Keep your signed course report.
- Apply to the RCMP online or on form RCMP 5592, with photo, guarantor, references and fee.
- Wait at least 28 days for screening, then receive your card by mail.
Want restricted privileges too? Add the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) before you apply. See the RPAL section below.
Key fact: The Alberta government's firearms training page says only instructors designated by the Chief Firearms Officer may teach these courses. If someone offering a course is not on the list, do not pay them or give them personal information; contact SPFGA or the Alberta Chief Firearms Office.
What changed in Alberta in 2026: AHEIA and SPFGA
For more than twenty years, most Albertans knew the PAL course as "the AHEIA course". The Alberta Hunter Education Instructors' Association coordinated CFSC and CRFSC delivery in the province from 2002. That arrangement ended on 1 September 2026, when the Alberta Chief Firearms Office moved course administration to the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association.
As of October 2026:
- The RCMP find an instructor page lists SPFGA as Alberta's contact for both the CFSC and CRFSC.
- The Alberta government page states that SPFGA administers the two courses and that the Alberta Chief Firearms Office oversees them. The designated instructor list is on the SPFGA website.
- AHEIA still advertises CFSC and CRFSC classes at its Calgary and Edmonton offices and through instructors across the province, and it continues to run Alberta Hunter Education.
What this means for you: the course content and tests have not changed, but who coordinates them has. Before you book with anyone, AHEIA included, confirm the instructor is on the current designated list. If you took your course just before the switch and have questions about your course report, contact the instructor first, then SPFGA.
Exam tip: Changes in who delivers the course do not change what is on the test. The national CFSC syllabus and handbook still apply, so your preparation is the same.
The Alberta Chief Firearms Office
Alberta runs its own provincial Chief Firearms Office (ACFO). It oversees safety courses, designates and monitors instructors, screens licence applicants, and can refuse or revoke licences on public-safety grounds.
| ACFO contact (as listed on alberta.ca, October 2026) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Phone | 780-401-4140 (toll-free in Alberta: dial 310-0000 first) |
| Hours | 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday |
| PO Box 458, Station Main, Edmonton, AB T5J 2K1 | |
| What to include | Your PAL or application number, full name and date of birth |
For transfers, authorizations to transport and licence verifications, the ACFO directs people to the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000.
Where to take the PAL course in Alberta
Calgary
Calgary has the most course dates in southern Alberta: range-based businesses, private instructors, fish and game clubs and AHEIA's Calgary office. AHEIA listed two non-restricted course dates for October 2026, and private courses run most weekends.
Edmonton and area
Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert and Spruce Grove have frequent courses through clubs, ranges and private instructors, plus AHEIA's Edmonton office, which listed a restricted course in October 2026.
Elsewhere in Alberta
- Red Deer and Central Alberta: clubs and community courses; one Innisfail community listing ran several CFSC dates in 2026.
- Lethbridge and Medicine Hat: club and private instructors, often busiest before fall seasons.
- Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray and the North: fewer dates; some instructors travel. Book well ahead.
Rural courses can be months apart, and they fill quickly in August and September as hunters prepare for the season.
Course format and rules
| Item | Alberta detail (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | National RCMP CFSC syllabus |
| Format | In-person instruction, then a written test and a practical handling test |
| Pass mark | 80% on each test (delivery-agent standard; not printed on rcmp.ca) |
| Written questions | Not published officially; many instructors use about 50 |
| Live fire | None; training firearms and dummy rounds |
| Challenge test | Not available to new applicants |
| Minimum age | 12 for the CFSC tests; 18 for the CRFSC (CRFSC also requires a CFSC pass or a PAL) |
| Retests | Set by the instructor and administrator; commonly one retest, then repeat the course |
The written test
Expect questions on ACTS and PROVE, actions, ammunition, safe handling and carries, firing, care, the law, and storage, display and transport, which is the heaviest topic. Our PAL test format page breaks down what to expect.
The practical test
You will identify actions and safeties, load and unload several action types with dummy ammunition, PROVE each firearm, pass it correctly and apply a locking device. Muzzle control is watched throughout. Prepare with the PAL practical test guide and drill ACTS and PROVE.
PAL license cost in Alberta
Course prices in Alberta are set by instructors; the RCMP sets the licence fee. Alberta has GST only, so totals are a little lower than in HST provinces.
| Cost item | Amount (as of October 2026) | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| CFSC course and tests | from about $140 at community listings; city and private courses often more | Ask your instructor; check what is included |
| CRFSC course and tests | set by the instructor | Often discounted as a package with the CFSC |
| PAL fee, non-restricted | $70.38 | RCMP fees, until 30 March 2027 |
| PAL fee, restricted or prohibited | $93.84 | RCMP fees |
| Upgrade to restricted later | $46.92 | RCMP fees |
| Photos | about $15 to $25 | Must meet RCMP specifications |
| GST | 5% on course fees | Federal |
From 31 March 2027 the RCMP fees become $72.35, $96.47 and $48.24. The licence fee is non-refundable.
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the instructor on the current SPFGA designated list?
- Does the price include both tests, GST and the student handbook?
- Is there a retest fee, and how soon can a retest be booked?
- How much hands-on handling time will each student get?
- Is the class combined with the CRFSC or with hunter education?
Applying to the RCMP from Alberta
What you need
- Your CFSC course report (plus the CRFSC report for restricted privileges).
- A photo meeting RCMP specifications.
- A photo guarantor who is 18 or older and has known you for at least a year.
- Two references, with email addresses if applying online.
- Details for current and former conjugal partners from the last two years; the CFO must notify them if they do not sign.
- Payment by credit card online, or certified cheque or money order by mail.
Apply online through MyCFP, or mail form RCMP 5592. Online is generally faster; paper applications can take two to four weeks to be entered.
Processing time
The Firearms Licences Regulations set a 28-day minimum before a first licence can be issued. A realistic Alberta timeline:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Book and attend a course | 1 to 6 weeks in Calgary or Edmonton; longer in rural areas |
| Application entered | days online; 2 to 4 weeks by mail |
| Screening and 28-day minimum | 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer |
| Card mailed | 1 to 2 weeks |
Allow two to four months from course to card. The licence lasts five years. Report a change of address within 30 days, and use our PAL renewal guide when the time comes.
RPAL in Alberta
Restricted privileges need both the CFSC and the CRFSC. In Alberta the CRFSC is open to adults who have passed the CFSC or already hold a PAL. Many Calgary and Edmonton providers run the two together.
Remember the national handgun freeze: since 21 October 2022, individuals generally cannot acquire handguns by transfer, and the rule is now in the Firearms Act. People still take the CRFSC to own other restricted firearms, keep or inherit handguns lawfully, or qualify for certain sport and work exceptions. Compare your options in PAL vs RPAL and practise with the free RPAL practice test.
Combining your PAL with Alberta Hunter Education
Alberta Hunter Education is delivered by AHEIA, separately from firearms licensing. Most new gun hunters do both.
What Alberta Hunter Education involves
| Item | Detail (AHEIA, checked 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who needs it | First-time hunters in Alberta, of any age, before buying a licence |
| Online course | $70, or $99.95 with a printed manual |
| Classroom course | Offered through AHEIA offices and volunteer instructors; check dates |
| Final exam (online) | 100 questions across 12 modules, 80% to pass, 90-minute limit |
| Rewrite | $25 |
| After passing | Add your certificate number to your WiN profile (WiN card is a one-time $10 plus GST) |
The 12 modules include a full firearms module, so the PAL course and hunter education overlap. If you take the CFSC first, the firearms module becomes revision.
Suggested order for a new Alberta hunter
- Take the CFSC and apply for your PAL.
- While you wait, complete Alberta Hunter Education online or in class.
- Get your WiN number and attach your hunter education certificate.
- Buy your licences and draw applications once your PAL arrives.
The full licensing steps, ages and fees are in how to get a hunting licence in Alberta, and you can prepare for the 100-question exam with the Alberta hunter education practice test.
Youth hunters
Alberta allows hunting from age 10. Hunters under 16 need written parental permission to buy licences, and anyone under 18 hunting with a firearm must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or authorized adult, unless they hold an RCMP minor's licence that allows hunting. That makes the CFSC worth taking from age 12 for keen young hunters.
Key fact: Hunter education and the PAL are separate. Hunter education lets you buy an Alberta hunting licence; the PAL lets you possess and acquire firearms and buy ammunition. Most gun hunters need both.
Common Alberta mistakes
- Booking an instructor who is not on the designated list. Always check the current list first, especially after the 2026 change.
- Waiting until August. Fall courses fill fast across the province.
- Studying only for the written test. The practical fails more people than they expect.
- Losing the course report. Keep the original and a copy.
- Forgetting storage and transport rules. Once licensed, the federal storage rules and transport rules apply at home and in your truck.
Your study plan for the Alberta PAL
Our practice material is an independent study aid. It is not produced or approved by the RCMP, the Alberta Chief Firearms Office, SPFGA or AHEIA, and it cannot replace hands-on practice with your instructor.
- Today: take the free PAL diagnostic to find weak topics.
- This week: read the free CFSC exam guide and ACTS and PROVE note, then drill storage and transport questions.
- Before course day: sit the free full PAL mock under a timer. Aim for 85% or better.
- Need more practice? Pro (from CA$7.99 a week, cancel anytime) gives you mocks 2 to 10, topic practice and every study note, including Alberta Hunter Education. See pricing, or print the free questions at /print/pal.
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 much does it cost to get a PAL in Alberta?
Course prices are set by each instructor. Community courses have been listed from about $140, and city courses often cost more, so ask for a quote. Add the RCMP licence fee of $70.38 (until 30 March 2027), or $93.84 with restricted privileges, plus photos.
+Does AHEIA still run PAL courses in Alberta?
AHEIA coordinated Alberta's firearms safety courses from 2002 until 1 September 2026, when the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association took over administration. AHEIA's Calgary and Edmonton offices still list CFSC and CRFSC classes, and AHEIA continues to run hunter education. Check that any instructor you book appears on the current designated list.
+Where can I take the PAL course in Calgary or Edmonton?
Both cities have regular courses through clubs, ranges, private instructors and AHEIA's offices. Use the designated instructor list linked from the Alberta government's firearms training page to find one near you, and confirm the instructor is listed before you pay.
+How long does it take to get a PAL in Alberta?
A first licence cannot be issued until 28 days after the RCMP receives your application. With course booking, report handling and screening, most Alberta applicants should plan on two to four months. Incomplete applications and slow references are the usual causes of delay.
+Do I need a PAL to hunt in Alberta?
First-time Alberta hunters need a Hunter Education certificate on their WiN profile to buy a licence. To possess a firearm you need a federal licence, so most gun hunters also get a PAL. Hunters under 18 using a firearm must be accompanied by an adult unless they hold a minor's licence that permits hunting.
+Who is the Chief Firearms Officer in Alberta?
Alberta has a provincial Chief Firearms Office that oversees safety courses, designates instructors and screens licences. It can be reached at 780-401-4140 on weekdays. Transfers, transport authorizations and licence verifications go through the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000.
+Can I take the PAL test online in Alberta?
No. The CFSC tests are done in person with a designated instructor, including a practical handling test with training firearms. You can study the theory online beforehand, and Alberta Hunter Education can be done online, but the firearms tests cannot.
+What age can you get a PAL in Alberta?
The adult PAL is for people 18 and older; you can apply up to six months before turning 18. Anyone 12 or older can take the CFSC and apply for a minor's licence, which allows borrowing non-restricted firearms for approved activities such as hunting.
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
- How to Get Your PAL in CanadaThe 5 steps to a Canadian firearms licence: course, exams, RCMP 5592 application, references, and wait times. Includes RPAL and minors.
- 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.
- 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.
- How to Get a Hunting Licence in AlbertaAlberta hunter education online or in person, your WiN card, wildlife certificate, licences, draws, minimum ages and costs, step by step. Updated Oct 2026.
- Alberta Hunter Education Practice TestFree Alberta hunter education practice test with answers explained: wildlife ID, ethics, regulations, survival and firearms. Timed 100-question mock.
- 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.