People ask how many questions are on the PAL test because they want to know what they are walking into. The honest answer has two parts. The RCMP does not publish a question count or a time limit for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). Course providers across Canada, however, consistently report a written paper of about 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions, with an 80% pass mark. That is the format our free PAL practice test uses.
This page sets out what is official, what is reported by course providers, and what varies by province, so you can plan without guessing. Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid, not the RCMP or a course provider.
PAL test format at a glance
| Part | Format | Pass mark | Status of the figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written test | About 50 multiple-choice and true/false questions | 80% (about 40 of 50) | Count reported by course providers; pass mark stated by CFO delivery agents |
| Practical test | Hands-on handling of training firearms with dummy ammunition, no live fire | 80% | Stated by CFO delivery agents |
| Time limit | Set by the instructor | n/a | Not published nationally |
| Who gives it | An instructor designated by your provincial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) | n/a | Official (Firearms Act s.7) |
| Minimum age | 12 | n/a | Official (RCMP) |
| Language | English or French | n/a | Official |
All figures checked in October 2026 against the RCMP safety courses page, CFO delivery agents and our own research notes.
Key fact: The written and practical tests are marked separately. You must reach 80% on each one; a strong written score does not carry a weak practical.
How many questions are on the PAL written test
What is official and what is not
The legal requirement comes from the Firearms Act, section 7: to be eligible for a non-restricted licence you must complete the CFSC and pass its tests, given by a designated instructor. The Act and the RCMP describe the course and its topics. Neither sets the number of questions.
In practice, delivery agents and instructors build the papers. Almost every provider that publishes details describes about 50 questions. One provider has described a split of roughly two-thirds true/false and one-third multiple choice. We have not seen an official source confirm either figure, so treat "about 50" as a reliable expectation, not a guarantee. Your instructor can tell you exactly.
The pass mark in numbers
| Paper length | 80% means | You can miss |
|---|---|---|
| 40 questions | 32 correct | 8 |
| 50 questions | 40 correct | 10 |
| 60 questions | 48 correct | 12 |
On the common 50-question paper, ten wrong answers is the limit. That sounds like a lot until you notice that storage and transport rules can produce several questions on their own. See is the PAL test hard for where people typically lose marks.
Question types
- True/false: a single statement about a rule. Watch for statements that are almost right but leave out a condition.
- Multiple choice: a question with several options. Often two look plausible; one is more complete.
- Situation questions: a short scene, such as a hunter at a fence or a car parked unattended, and a question about the safe or legal action.
Our PAL test questions and answers page explains the reasoning behind each type, topic by topic.
How long is the PAL test
There is no national time limit for the written test. Instructors set it, and most allow plenty of time for a paper of about 50 questions. At roughly a minute per question, a well-prepared candidate can expect to finish the written test inside an hour. Our mocks give you 60 minutes for 50 questions so that you learn to keep a steady pace without rushing.
The practical test is run one candidate at a time. How long it takes depends on how many actions the examiner asks you to handle and how many candidates are in the class. Plan for the whole testing session, written and practical, to take a few hours at the end of the course.
Exam tip: Time is rarely the problem on the written test. Misreading is. Use the spare minutes to reread every question that contains "not", "first" or "best".
What the written test covers
The RCMP lists the CFSC topics. The written test draws from all of them. The table shows how our mocks spread 50 questions; this is our blueprint, not an official breakdown.
| Topic | Approximate questions in our 50-question mock |
|---|---|
| Safe storage, display and transport | 9 |
| Legal responsibilities | 7–8 |
| Basic safety: ACTS and PROVE | 6 |
| Operating firearm actions | 6 |
| Safe handling and carry | 6 |
| Ammunition | 4–5 |
| Evolution, parts and classes | 3 |
| Firing techniques | 3 |
| Social responsibilities | 3 |
| Care of firearms | 2–3 |
If you want to see how you score topic by topic before the course ends, take the free diagnostic. It reports a score for each topic.
The practical test format
The practical test is where you show the examiner that you handle firearms safely every time, not just that you know the rules.
What you will be asked to do
- Identify common action types and their safeties.
- Load and unload several actions using dummy ammunition. Course providers commonly report that you handle three of five types: hinge (break), pump, bolt, lever and semi-automatic.
- PROVE each firearm unloaded.
- Pass a firearm to the examiner correctly, with the action open.
- Demonstrate safe carries.
- Apply a secure locking device.
- Identify ammunition and match it to a firearm's data stamp.
How it is marked
Examiners use a checklist and watch muzzle direction and trigger finger throughout. Safety errors cost the most. A careless muzzle sweep across a person can fail you on its own. Our PAL practical test guide and ACTS and PROVE explained walk through the routine step by step.
How long is the CFSC course
The course comes before the tests, and its length is set provincially.
| Province or provider | Typical CFSC length |
|---|---|
| Ontario (FSESO minimum) | 8 instructional hours |
| Quebec | About 8 to 10 hours |
| Nova Scotia | About 11 hours |
Many providers run the CFSC over one long day or two shorter days. Combined CFSC and CRFSC courses often run over a weekend; in Ontario the CRFSC has a minimum of 6 hours, or 4 hours when taken back to back with the CFSC. Some courses require 100% attendance before you can sit the tests.
Some providers offer the theory part online followed by an in-person session for the practical and the tests. Availability varies; ask your provider. Our PAL course guide compares formats.
PAL test cost and licence fees
There are two separate costs.
| Cost | Who sets it | Example (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Course and tests | Instructor or delivery agent | Ontario FSESO: CFSC $210, CRFSC $170, both $380, before tax and manual. Typical all-in range across providers is roughly $190 to $450 |
| Licence application | RCMP | $70.38 non-restricted; $93.84 restricted; $46.92 to upgrade a PAL to restricted |
The licence fees come from the RCMP service fees page and apply until 30 March 2027. From 31 March 2027 they rise to $72.35, $96.47 and $48.24. Course prices come from FSESO and other providers' published prices. Always confirm what your course fee includes: the handbook, both tests and the signed course report.
What test day looks like
Knowing the sequence of the day takes some of the nerves out of it.
What to bring
- Government-issued photo ID.
- A pen, and anything else your instructor lists in the booking confirmation.
- Your course handbook if it is part of the course, for review during breaks.
- Glasses if you need them to read small print. Data stamps on barrels are tiny.
You do not bring firearms or ammunition. Training firearms and dummy rounds are provided, and live ammunition is not allowed in the classroom.
The usual order
- Instruction. The course itself, covering every CFSC topic, with hands-on time on several actions.
- Written test. Often taken as a group, with no notes allowed.
- Practical test. Taken one at a time with the examiner, while others wait or review.
- Results and paperwork. If you pass both tests, you leave with a signed course report.
Some providers run the written test before the practical, others the reverse. Ask at the start of the day.
How to settle nerves on the day
Arrive early. Eat beforehand; a long course on an empty stomach makes concentration harder. During the written test, answer the questions you are sure of first, flag the rest, then come back. On the practical, slow down. Examiners do not reward speed. They reward a muzzle that never points at anyone and a finger that never touches the trigger, every single time.
Results, retests and what happens next
Getting your result
Your instructor marks both tests and tells you the result, usually on the day. If you pass, you receive a signed course report. Keep it safe; you need it to apply for your licence.
If you fail
Retest rules are set by each province's delivery agent. A common rule is one retest, with failure on the retest meaning you repeat the course. In Ontario, FSESO allows retests within 30 days. Ask your instructor about the policy before the course starts, so you know your options.
How long your result stays valid
We have not found a national expiry period for a passed CFSC published on rcmp.ca. If there has been a gap between your course and your application, check with your provincial CFO before you apply.
Applying for the PAL
- Complete RCMP form 5592 with your course report, a photo, a guarantor and references.
- Pay the licence fee.
- Wait at least 28 days; first-time applicants cannot be issued a licence sooner. Many applications take longer.
- Your PAL is valid for 5 years.
The full process is in how to get a PAL in Canada.
How the RPAL test format compares
The Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) follows the same pattern: a written test and a practical test, each at 80%, given by a designated instructor. Course providers report a paper of about 50 questions. The content shifts toward handguns, restricted storage and display, registration and the Authorization to Transport. You must be 18 or older, and you need both courses for restricted privileges. Practise with the RPAL practice test.
How our practice mirrors the format
| Feature | Real CFSC written test | Our mock |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | About 50 (reported) | 50 |
| Pass mark | 80% | 80% (40 of 50) |
| Time | Set by instructor | 60 minutes |
| Question style | Multiple choice and true/false | Four-option multiple choice, including 10 situation questions |
| Feedback | Pass or fail | Score by topic and an explanation for every answer |
Four-option questions are deliberately a little harder than true/false, so the real paper should feel manageable.
Your study plan
- Take the free 20-question diagnostic to see where you stand.
- Read the free CFSC exam guide and the ACTS and PROVE note.
- Study the storage, display and transport note, the topic with the most questions.
- Sit free mock 1 under a 60-minute timer.
- Keep practising until you score 90% or more on three different mocks, then focus on handling actions for the practical.
5 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.
Frequently asked questions
+How long is the PAL test?
There is no national time limit. Instructors usually allow enough time for a paper of about 50 questions, and most candidates finish the written test well within an hour. Ask your instructor for the exact time.
+What is the passing score for the PAL exam?
CFO delivery agents require 80% on the written test and 80% on the practical test. The two are marked separately, so you must pass both.
+Can you take the PAL test online?
No. Some providers offer the theory part of the course online, but the tests are given by a CFO-designated instructor, and the practical must be done in person with training firearms.
+How long is the CFSC course?
It depends on the province and provider. In Ontario, FSESO sets a minimum of 8 instructional hours for the CFSC. Quebec courses run about 8 to 10 hours and Nova Scotia about 11.
+How much does the PAL test cost?
The tests are normally included in the course fee, which is set by instructors. In Ontario FSESO lists $210 for the CFSC in 2026. The RCMP licence fee is separate: $70.38 for a non-restricted PAL as of October 2026.
+What happens if I fail the PAL test?
Retest rules are set by your province's delivery agent. A common rule is one retest, and failing that means repeating the course. In Ontario, FSESO allows retests within 30 days.
+Is the RPAL test format the same?
The CRFSC uses the same structure: a written test and a practical test, each marked at 80%. Course providers report a paper of about 50 questions focused on handguns and restricted firearm rules.
+Can I challenge the PAL test without taking the course?
Not as a new applicant. The challenge option was removed in 2015 by the Common Sense Firearms Licensing Act, so you must take the course before the tests.
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
- 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 Test Questions and Answers50 CFSC exam questions with answers, grouped by topic: ACTS & PROVE, actions, ammunition, storage, transport and the law. Free printable PDF version.
- Is the PAL Test Hard?No official PAL pass rate is published, but storage, transport and the practical trip people up. The hardest topics, common mistakes and a 7-day plan.
- 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.
- 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.