This guide explains how to get a PAL in BC: who teaches the course, what it costs, how long the RCMP takes and how the licence links to BC's CORE hunter training. "PAL" here means the firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence. It is a federal licence, so the core steps are identical across Canada and are covered in how to get a PAL in Canada. Here we focus on what works differently in British Columbia.
Not sure how ready you are? Start with the free PAL practice test or the 15-minute PAL diagnostic. Both use the same national CFSC material you will be tested on in BC.
How to get a PAL in BC, step by step
- Choose a CFSC course taught by an instructor designated by the BC Chief Firearms Officer (CFO).
- Complete the instruction. Depending on the provider, that is a classroom day or two, or home study followed by an in-person session.
- Pass the written and practical tests in person, at 80% each.
- Keep your signed CFSC course report. You need it for the RCMP application, and it is also your ticket to skip the CORE practical later.
- Apply to the RCMP online or on paper form RCMP 5592, with fee, photo, guarantor and references.
- Wait at least 28 days while your file is screened, then your card is mailed.
For restricted privileges, take the CRFSC as well before you apply (see the RPAL section below).
Key fact: Since 2015, new applicants cannot "challenge" the CFSC by writing the tests without taking the course. The RCMP safety courses page says the tests follow the instruction.
Who runs PAL courses in British Columbia
The BC Chief Firearms Officer
BC's firearms licensing is federally administered. The Chief Firearms Officer role for BC (and Yukon) sits within the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program rather than a provincial ministry. That office designates instructors, screens licence applications, issues authorizations to transport and can refuse or revoke licences for public-safety reasons.
People sometimes confuse this with the BC Conservation Officer Service. They are separate. Conservation officers enforce hunting and fishing law; the CFO handles firearms licensing.
No single delivery agent
Ontario routes courses through one agency (FSESO), and Alberta uses a designated association. BC does not. The RCMP find an instructor page lists the Chief Firearms Officer Office as BC's contact, and courses are taught by many independent designated instructors: private training businesses, rod and gun clubs, shooting ranges and some outdoor retailers.
The upside is plenty of choice in larger centres. The downside is that prices, class sizes, retest policies and quality vary more than in provinces with a central agent. Shop around.
Where you can take the course
- Lower Mainland (Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Langley, Abbotsford): the most options, including weekday evening and weekend classes and combined CFSC plus CRFSC courses.
- Vancouver Island (Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox Valley): club and private courses; book ahead.
- Okanagan and Thompson (Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops): regular courses, busy before fall hunting.
- North and Kootenays (Prince George, Fort St. John, Cranbrook, Nelson): fewer dates, often run by local clubs. Some instructors travel to smaller communities.
Course formats in BC
Classroom courses
The traditional format is in-person instruction, then both tests on the same day or the next. A CFSC alone usually takes one long day or two half days. A combined CFSC plus CRFSC usually fills a weekend.
Online or home study plus an in-person session
Some BC providers advertise blended formats: you work through the theory online or with the handbook at your own pace, then attend a shorter in-person session for supervised handling practice and both tests. This suits people with irregular schedules.
Two cautions. First, the tests are always written and done in person with a designated instructor; there is no online test that leads to a PAL. Second, check that a blended course is run by a CFO-designated instructor and includes enough hands-on time. If you have never handled a firearm, a full classroom course gives you more practice before the practical.
What all BC courses share
| Item | BC detail (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | National RCMP CFSC syllabus, the same as every province |
| Tests | One written test and one practical handling test |
| Pass mark | 80% on each (stated by CFO delivery agents; not printed on rcmp.ca) |
| Number of written questions | Not published officially; instructors commonly use about 50 |
| Live fire | None; training firearms and dummy rounds only |
| Minimum age | 12 for the CFSC tests; 18 for the CRFSC |
| Retests | Set by your instructor; commonly one retest, then repeat the course |
Because BC has no central retest rule, ask your instructor exactly how a retest works, how soon you can book it and what it costs.
Exam tip: Whatever format you choose, the practical is where marks are lost. Read the PAL practical test guide and practise ACTS and PROVE out loud until you can do it without thinking.
PAL license cost in BC
BC instructors set their own course prices. The RCMP sets the licence fee.
| Cost item | Typical amount (as of October 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CFSC course and tests | commonly about $190 to $250 plus GST | Examples seen: about $190 plus tax and $235; prices vary by city |
| CRFSC course and tests (optional) | set by each instructor | Often discounted when booked with the CFSC; ask for a quote |
| CFSC plus CRFSC combined | set by each instructor | Weekend format is common; compare package prices |
| 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 |
From 31 March 2027, the RCMP fees rise to $72.35, $96.47 and $48.24. The fee is non-refundable.
Budget totals
- Non-restricted PAL: about $270 to $340 with GST and photos.
- PAL with restricted privileges: add the CRFSC price your instructor quotes plus the higher $93.84 licence fee instead of $70.38.
- PAL plus CORE hunter training: add $60 in CORE exam fees (written plus practical at $30 each), or $30 if your CFSC report exempts you from the practical, plus the $30 BCWF graduation fee and any course or manual costs.
Before you book, ask
- Is the price for the course and both tests, and is GST included?
- Is the student handbook included, printed or digital?
- What happens if I fail one test? Is the retest free?
- How many training firearms are there per student during practice?
- Is this a classroom course or a blended format, and how many in-person hours does it include?
Applying to the RCMP from BC
The application is the same national process for every province.
What you need
- Your CFSC course report (plus CRFSC report for restricted privileges).
- An RCMP-compliant photo.
- A photo guarantor (18 or older, has known you at least a year).
- Two references, with email addresses if you apply online.
- Information on current and former conjugal partners from the last two years. If they do not sign, the CFO must notify them.
- Payment: credit card online, or certified cheque or money order by mail.
You can apply online through the RCMP's MyCFP portal or mail form RCMP 5592. Online applications are usually faster; mailed ones can take two to four weeks just to be entered.
Processing time
A CFO cannot issue a first licence until at least 28 days after receiving the application (SOR/98-199 s.5). The RCMP's fees report describes a 35-day service standard for the initial review of fee-paying applications, but complete processing often takes longer. A realistic BC timeline:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Book and attend a course | 1 to 8 weeks (longer in the North or before hunting season) |
| Submit application | same week if online; 2 to 4 weeks to be entered by mail |
| Screening and 28-day minimum | 4 to 8 weeks, sometimes more |
| Card arrives by mail | 1 to 2 weeks |
Plan on two to four months in total. Your licence is valid for five years, and you must report any address change to the CFO within 30 days.
RPAL in BC
To possess restricted firearms you need both the CFSC and the CRFSC, and you must be 18. Many Lower Mainland providers run the two back to back.
Since 21 October 2022, individuals generally cannot acquire handguns by transfer in Canada, and the freeze was later written into the Firearms Act. People still take the CRFSC to own other restricted firearms, keep or inherit handguns lawfully, and for some competition and occupational exceptions. Weigh whether you need it now; you can upgrade later for the reduced upgrade fee after passing the CRFSC. Our PAL vs RPAL comparison and free RPAL practice test cover this.
How the PAL ties into BC CORE hunter training
Most British Columbians who take the PAL course also want to hunt. BC's hunter education program is CORE (Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education), run by the BC Wildlife Federation on behalf of the province.
What CORE involves
| CORE item | Detail (BCWF, checked 2026) |
|---|---|
| Who needs it | BC residents 10 or older who want hunting credentials (other provinces' hunter safety certificates are also accepted) |
| Written exam | 90 multiple-choice questions; 68 correct to pass (about 76%) |
| Practical exam | Safely handle 2 of 5 action types with dummy ammunition; 23 out of 30 to pass |
| Fees | $30 per written attempt and $30 per practical attempt, paid to the examiner; $30 BCWF graduation fee |
| Preparation | In-person course with a certified examiner, the BCWF online course ($98 plus GST), or self-study and challenge |
| Retake | A failed exam must be retaken on a different day |
The CFSC exemption
This is the key link. BCWF exempts you from the CORE practical firearm-handling exam if you have passed the CFSC, but you must give the examiner your completed CFSC course report form. A PAL card is not accepted for this exemption. Keep the report form safe after your course, and make a copy.
So the efficient order for a new BC hunter is:
- Take the CFSC and keep the course report.
- Apply for your PAL.
- Study for CORE while you wait for your card.
- Book only the CORE written exam, bringing your CFSC report form for the practical exemption.
- Send your completion document and the $30 graduation fee to BCWF, then add the hunting credential to your free Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID).
- Buy your hunting licence ($25 plus the $7 Habitat Conservation Trust surcharge for residents in 2026, plus GST) and any species licences.
The full process, with ages and licence types, is in how to get a hunting licence in BC. To prepare for the 90-question written exam, try the BC CORE practice test.
Exam tip: CORE's firearm safety chapter covers much of what you learn in the CFSC, but the CORE exam also tests animal and bird identification and BC hunting regulations from the Synopsis. Do not assume your PAL knowledge is enough to pass CORE.
Youth hunters
BC lets youth aged 10 to 17 hunt under close supervision, and a youth hunting licence does not require hunter training. If a young person will handle firearms, they can take the CFSC from age 12 and apply for a minor's licence, which lets them borrow non-restricted firearms for approved purposes.
Common BC mistakes to avoid
- Throwing away the course report after the PAL arrives, then needing it for the CORE exemption.
- Booking the cheapest blended course without enough hands-on practice, then failing the practical.
- Leaving it too late. Interior and northern courses fill in August and September.
- Assuming a hunting licence covers firearms. It does not; firearms licensing is federal and separate.
- Forgetting storage rules at home. Once your PAL arrives, the federal firearm storage rules apply in your home, and the transport rules apply in your truck.
Your study plan for the BC PAL
These practice tests are an independent study aid. They are not issued or approved by the RCMP or the BC CFO, and they cannot replace handling practice with your instructor.
- Start now: take the free PAL diagnostic to see your weak areas.
- Read the essentials: the free CFSC exam guide and the ACTS and PROVE note.
- Drill the hardest topic: storage, display and transport, using storage and transport practice.
- Test yourself: sit the free full-length PAL mock under a timer and aim for 85% or more.
- Go further if needed: Pro (CA$7.99 a week, CA$12.99 a month or CA$24.99 for three months, cancel anytime) gives you nine more mocks, topic practice and all notes for every test, including BC CORE. 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 a PAL cost in BC?
Expect about $270 to $340 in total for a non-restricted PAL. BC course prices are set by each instructor; examples we have seen fall around $190 to $250 plus GST. The RCMP licence fee is $70.38 until 30 March 2027, or $93.84 if you also add restricted privileges.
+Can you get your PAL online in BC?
Not entirely. Some BC providers let you study the theory online or on your own first, but the written and practical tests are done in person with a designated instructor. The licence application itself can be filed online with the RCMP.
+How long does it take to get a PAL in BC?
The law sets a 28-day minimum for first licences. Once you add the course, mailing and screening, most BC applicants should plan on two to four months. Applications with missing information or slow references take longer.
+Who issues firearms licences in BC?
Licences are issued under the federal Firearms Act. In BC the Chief Firearms Officer function is run federally through the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program, which screens applications and designates instructors. It is a separate body from the BC Conservation Officer Service.
+Does my PAL let me skip part of the BC CORE exam?
Only if you have the CFSC course report form. BCWF exempts candidates who passed the CFSC from the CORE practical handling exam, but you must show the completed report form. A PAL card alone is not accepted for the exemption.
+Do I need a PAL to hunt in BC?
To hunt in BC you need CORE (or another accepted hunter safety certificate), a Fish and Wildlife ID and a hunting licence. To possess and use a firearm for hunting you also need a federal firearms licence, unless you are supervised under the rules for youth or initiation hunters. Bow hunters do not need a PAL.
+What is the youngest age to take the PAL course in BC?
Anyone 12 or older can write the CFSC tests and then apply for a minor's licence. The adult PAL is for 18 and up, and you may apply up to six months before your 18th birthday. The restricted course is for adults only.
+Is the BC PAL course different from Ontario's?
The content and the tests follow the same national RCMP curriculum everywhere. What differs is delivery: BC has no single delivery agent like Ontario's FSESO, so prices, schedules and retest policies vary between instructors.
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 BCCORE course or challenge exam, finding an examiner, fees, ages, youth licences, FWID (old Hunter Number), species licences and LEH. Updated Oct 2026.
- BC CORE Practice TestFree BC CORE practice test for the hunter education written exam: a 90-question mock at 68 to pass, plus BC regulations, wildlife and bird ID questions.
- 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.