This guide covers how to get a PAL in Ontario from start to finish: the course, the tests, the costs and the wait. "PAL" here means the firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence, not the Provincial Attestation Letter used for study permits. The licence itself is federal, so the national steps are the same everywhere. What changes in Ontario is who runs the courses, what they cost, who reviews your file and how the PAL fits with hunter education. For the national version of the process, read how to get a PAL in Canada. This page sticks to what is specific to Ontario.
If you want to see where you stand before booking a course, take the free PAL practice test or jump straight into the 20-question PAL diagnostic.
How to get a PAL in Ontario: the five steps
Here is the full path for a first-time adult applicant who wants a non-restricted licence.
- Book a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) with an instructor designated by the Ontario Chief Firearms Officer. Most people find one through the Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario (FSESO).
- Attend the whole course. Ontario requires 100% attendance before you can write the tests.
- Pass the written test and the practical test. Ontario delivery uses an 80% pass mark on each.
- Get your validated course report. FSESO processes and validates Ontario CFSC reports. This is your proof that you passed.
- Apply to the RCMP online or on paper form RCMP 5592, with your photo, two references, a guarantor and the fee. Then wait at least 28 days.
If you also want restricted privileges, you add the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) before you apply. More on that below and in PAL vs RPAL.
Key fact: The RCMP safety courses page is clear that first-time applicants must pass the CFSC before applying. There is no challenge test for new applicants in Ontario.
Who runs firearms courses in Ontario
The Ontario Chief Firearms Officer
Each province has a Chief Firearms Officer (CFO). In Ontario, the Chief Firearms Office sits within the Ontario Provincial Police and is based in Orillia. The CFO designates course instructors, screens licence applications, decides on authorizations to transport, and can refuse or revoke a licence on public-safety grounds.
You rarely deal with the CFO directly as a new applicant. The office may phone your references, ask you for more information, or, in some cases, invite you to an interview. If that happens, it is a normal part of screening, not a sign that something is wrong.
FSESO and designated instructors
The Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario (FSESO) is the delivery agent that supports the Ontario CFO. It manages the instructor network, sets course standards and processes course reports. The actual courses are taught by individual designated instructors and by clubs, colleges and businesses that employ them, all over the province.
The RCMP find an instructor page lists FSESO as the contact for Ontario. On the FSESO site you can search for courses by area.
Where courses are offered
You will find courses across Ontario, including:
- Greater Toronto and Hamilton: many private instructors and range-based clubs run weekend courses, often combined with the restricted course.
- Ottawa and Eastern Ontario: private instructors and rod and gun clubs.
- Southwestern Ontario (London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Windsor): clubs and independent instructors.
- Northern Ontario (Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, North Bay): colleges and clubs, often scheduled around hunting season.
In rural areas, courses can be months apart. If you hunt, book early: courses fill up in late summer before the fall seasons.
Course format, hours and rules in Ontario
| Item | Ontario detail (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| CFSC minimum instruction | 8 hours, not counting the tests (FSESO) |
| CRFSC minimum instruction | 6 hours, or 4 hours when taken back to back with the CFSC (FSESO) |
| Attendance | 100% required before you may write the tests |
| Tests | One written test and one practical handling test per course |
| Pass mark | 80% on each test (stated by CFO delivery agents, not printed on rcmp.ca) |
| Written questions | Not published officially; instructors commonly use about 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions |
| Retest | Allowed; must be taken within 30 days (FSESO) |
| Challenge test | Not permitted for new applicants |
| Minimum age | 12 to write the CFSC tests; 18 for the CRFSC |
| Language | English or French |
A typical non-restricted course runs over one long day or two shorter days. The combined CFSC plus CRFSC is usually a full weekend.
The written test
The written test covers the national CFSC syllabus: ACTS and PROVE, actions, ammunition, safe handling and carries, firing, care, the law and, most of all, storage, display and transport. The RCMP does not publish the number of questions. Many Ontario instructors use around 50, which is why our mocks use 50 questions with an 80% pass. For the full breakdown, see the PAL test format.
The practical test
The practical is where nervous candidates lose marks. You handle training firearms with dummy rounds, identify actions and safeties, load and unload, PROVE each firearm, pass it safely and fit a trigger or cable lock. The instructor watches your muzzle the whole time. Read the PAL practical test guide and drill ACTS and PROVE until the steps are automatic.
Exam tip: Storage and transport rules produce a large share of the written questions. Questions often change one word, such as "locked" or "opaque", to test whether you know the exact rule. Learn the firearm storage rules table cold before course day.
How much does it cost to get your PAL in Ontario
Course fees in Ontario are set by FSESO and individual instructors, and the licence fee is set by the RCMP. Here is a realistic budget.
| Cost item | Typical amount (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CFSC course and tests | $210 (FSESO 2026 listing) | fseso.org |
| CRFSC course and tests (optional) | $170 | FSESO |
| CFSC plus CRFSC back to back | $380, including both tests | FSESO |
| College example (CFSC) | about $230 | Sault College continuing education listing |
| PAL fee, non-restricted | $70.38 | RCMP fees |
| PAL fee, restricted or prohibited | $93.84 | RCMP fees |
| Upgrade an existing PAL to restricted | $46.92 | RCMP fees |
| Passport-style photos | about $15 to $25 | Retail |
| Handbook, HST, range or club extras | varies | Ask your instructor |
The RCMP fees above apply until 30 March 2027. From 31 March 2027 they rise to $72.35 (non-restricted), $96.47 (restricted or prohibited) and $48.24 (upgrade). The licence fee is non-refundable, and the RCMP does not accept cash.
What a realistic total looks like
- Non-restricted PAL only: about $280 to $340, depending on HST and extras.
- PAL with restricted privileges (both courses at once): about $475 to $525.
- PAL plus Ontario Hunter Education: add the hunter course fee, which instructors set themselves (see the hunting section below).
Questions to ask before you pay
- Does the price include HST, the student handbook and both tests?
- Is the retest fee extra, and how quickly can a retest be booked?
- How many students are in the class, and how many training firearms are there for practice?
- Will you get time to handle every action type before the practical?
- How does the instructor send your course report to FSESO?
Applying to the RCMP from Ontario
Once your course report is validated, you apply to the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program. The application is the same as in every other province. Ontario's CFO then screens it.
Online or paper
You can apply online through the RCMP's MyCFP portal, or mail form RCMP 5592. The RCMP says online first-time applications are generally processed faster than mailed ones. Mailed applications can take two to four weeks just to be entered into the system.
What you need
- Your CFSC course report (and CRFSC report for restricted privileges).
- A photo that meets RCMP specifications.
- A photo guarantor who has known you for at least a year and is 18 or older.
- Two references, with valid email addresses if you apply online.
- Details of any current or former conjugal partner from the past two years. If they do not sign, the CFO must notify them.
- The fee, by credit card (online) or certified cheque or money order (paper).
How long it takes
A first licence cannot be issued until at least 28 days after the application is received (Firearms Licences Regulations, SOR/98-199 s.5). In practice, the full Ontario timeline looks more like this:
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Find and attend a course | a few weeks to a few months, depending on area and season |
| Course report validated by FSESO | about one month |
| RCMP application entered (paper) | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Screening and mandatory wait | 28 days minimum, often longer |
| Card mailed | 1 to 2 weeks |
Plan on two to four months from course day to card in hand. Applications slow down when references do not respond or details are missing, so give your references a heads-up.
Key fact: Your licence is valid for five years. Report any change of address to the CFO within 30 days. When the time comes, our PAL renewal guide explains how to renew without a lapse.
Restricted (RPAL) in Ontario
To add restricted privileges, you take the CRFSC as well as the CFSC. In Ontario the two are often booked back to back over one weekend for $380 at FSESO's listed price. You must be 18 or older for the CRFSC.
Keep the 2026 context in mind. Since 21 October 2022, individuals generally cannot acquire handguns by transfer in Canada, and that freeze is now written into the Firearms Act. People still take the CRFSC to possess other restricted firearms, to keep or inherit handguns lawfully, and for certain sport or work exceptions. See PAL vs RPAL and the free RPAL practice test if this applies to you.
Restricted firearms in Ontario must be registered, stored and transported under stricter rules, and taken to approved ranges under an Authorization to Transport. Our guide to transporting firearms in Canada covers that in detail.
Combining your PAL with Ontario hunter education
Many Ontario candidates get a PAL because they want to hunt. The two programs are separate, but they fit together.
What each one gives you
- The Ontario Hunter Education Course and exam are required before you can buy your first hunting licence. On their own, they let you hunt with a bow.
- To hunt with a gun, you also need the CFSC. Ontario's hunting rules say gun hunters must carry a valid PAL, a valid minor's licence, or a copy of their CFSC report. Someone with only a course report, or an expired licence, must hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of a valid PAL holder.
The Ontario hunter education page notes that many instructors offer a one-stop course that combines the Hunter Education Course with the CFSC, though you can take them separately.
One-stop course or separate courses
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| One-stop (hunter ed plus CFSC together) | One booking, shared material on firearm safety, often a lower combined price | A long day or weekend; two exams close together |
| Separate in-person courses | More time to prepare for each exam | Two bookings, possibly more travel |
| Online hunter ed plus in-person CFSC | Do hunter ed at your own pace (the online provider uses an 80% pass and lists $60 plus tax) | You still need an in-person CFSC for gun hunting |
Instructors set their own hunter education prices. One independent Ontario instructor, for example, lists a stand-alone hunter course at $195 and a version taken with the CFSC at $175, both with the exam. Prices vary, so compare a few.
After you pass
You file your hunter education results, buy an Outdoors Card, and then purchase your licences and tags. The steps, fees and ages are in our guide to getting a hunting licence in Ontario. To prepare for the hunting exam itself, try the Ontario hunter education practice test.
Exam tip: The firearm safety questions on the Ontario hunter exam overlap heavily with the CFSC. If you prepare for the PAL first, the firearm chapter of hunter ed becomes revision.
Minors and young applicants in Ontario
Anyone 12 or older can take the CFSC and write the tests. Children under 12 may sit in for education only.
- Ages 12 to 17 can apply for a minor's licence after passing. It lets them borrow non-restricted firearms for approved purposes, such as hunting under Ontario rules or target shooting, but not acquire firearms. A parent or guardian must consent, and a firearms officer may interview the young person.
- At 17 and a half, you can apply for the adult PAL so it arrives near your 18th birthday.
- Ontario's hunter apprenticeship program lets 12 to 14 year olds hunt with a mentor, sharing one firearm. Apprentices who use a gun must carry proof of the CFSC.
Common mistakes Ontario applicants make
- Booking the course too late. Fall courses fill quickly before deer and moose season.
- Missing part of the course. With 100% attendance required, arriving late can cost you the tests.
- Ignoring the practical. Most people study for the written test and assume the practical will be fine. A single muzzle sweep can fail it.
- Losing the course report. Keep it safe and make a copy. It is your only proof of passing.
- Choosing references who do not answer. Unresponsive references are a common cause of delay.
- Assuming the course report is a licence. It is not. You cannot buy firearms or ammunition until your PAL is issued.
For a broader look at where candidates struggle, read is the PAL test hard.
Your study plan for the Ontario PAL
Our practice tests are an independent study aid, not an official FSESO or RCMP product, and they do not replace hands-on handling with your instructor. Used well, they help you walk into the course already knowing the material.
- Today: take the free PAL diagnostic (20 questions, about 15 minutes) to find your weak topics.
- This week: read the free CFSC exam guide and the ACTS and PROVE note. Then drill storage and transport with topic practice.
- Before course day: take the free full PAL mock exam under timed conditions. Aim for 85% or better so you have a margin over the 80% pass.
- If you want more: Pro (from CA$7.99 a week, cancel anytime) gives you mocks 2 to 10, practice by topic and every study note across all nine tests. See pricing. Prefer paper? Print the free questions at /print/pal.
- On course day: bring photo ID, listen closely during the handling practice and ask to repeat any action you are unsure of.
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 your PAL in Ontario?
Plan on roughly $280 to $340 all in for a non-restricted PAL. That covers a CFSC course (FSESO lists $210 for 2026), the RCMP licence fee of $70.38 (valid until 30 March 2027) and small extras such as photos and travel. Adding the restricted course and licence brings the total closer to $475 to $525.
+How long does it take to get a PAL in Ontario?
The legal minimum for a first licence is 28 days after the RCMP receives your application. Add the time for your course report to be processed and for mailing, and most Ontario applicants should plan on two to four months from course day to card in hand. Online applications usually move faster than paper ones.
+Can I take the PAL course online in Ontario?
No. Ontario courses are classroom-based and you must attend every hour before you can write the tests. The practical test has to be done in person with real (deactivated or training) firearms and dummy ammunition. You can study the theory at home beforehand.
+Can I challenge the PAL test in Ontario without taking the course?
Not as a new applicant. Challenge tests ended nationally after 2015 legislation, and FSESO states that you must attend the full course and pass both exams. The only people who skip the course are those covered by narrow statutory exceptions.
+What is the minimum age to get a PAL in Ontario?
The adult PAL is for people 18 and older, and you can apply up to six months before your 18th birthday. Anyone 12 or older can take the CFSC and, if they pass, apply for a minor's licence, which lets them borrow non-restricted firearms for approved purposes such as hunting or target shooting.
+Do I need a PAL to hunt in Ontario?
You need the Ontario Hunter Education course for any hunting licence. To hunt with a gun you also need the CFSC, and you must carry a PAL, a minor's licence or your CFSC report. If you only have the course report, you must hunt under the direct supervision of someone who holds a valid licence.
+Who is the Chief Firearms Officer for Ontario?
The Ontario Chief Firearms Office is part of the Ontario Provincial Police and is based in Orillia. It designates instructors, screens applications and issues authorizations. You reach it through the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program line at 1-800-731-4000.
+What happens if I fail the PAL test in Ontario?
FSESO allows a retest, which must be taken within 30 days. Ask your instructor how retests are booked and whether a fee applies. If you fail the retest, you generally have to repeat the course.
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 OntarioHow to get a hunting license in Ontario: hunter education course and exam, Outdoors Card, licences and tags, the PAL for gun hunting, ages and costs.
- 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.
- Ontario Hunter Education Practice ExamFree Ontario Hunter Education practice exam: wildlife ID, regulations, ethics, firearm safety and survival questions, with explanations and a timed mock.