Classes continue to run with COVID Precautions in place.

North Central Firearms Training is in Prince George, British Columbia.  Training for the Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE), Canadian Firearms Safety Training (CFSC), and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Training (CRSFC) are all available.

Courses are scheduled throughout the year, and challenges for individuals with hunting experience are often available with short notice.  Group rates and scheduling are available.  Payment in full is required when booking your spot.

All Courses are held in the Basement Conference Room at Grama's Inn (901 Central Street West, Prince George)

CONSERVATION OUTDOOR RECREATION EDUCATION:



AS OF JUNE 18, 2015, FEDERAL FIREARMS LAWS HAVE CHANGED.  CHALLENGES FOR THE PAL AND RPAL ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE - FULL COURSES ARE NOW MANDATORY.  IF ANYONE TAKES THE PAL COURSE AND FAILS THE WRITTEN OR PRACTICAL PORTION THERE IS A ONE DAY WAIT PERIOD AND THE TESTS MUST BE REDONE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE ORIGINAL ATTEMPT.

ANYONE WHO HAS A VALID POL WISHING TO UPGRADE TO AN RPAL ONLY HAS TO TAKE THE CRSFC TRAINING COURSE.  THE CFSC DOES NOT HAVE TO BE TAKEN TO UPGRADE TO THE RPAL.


Prior to 1998, anyone wishing to purchase a firearm was required to have a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC).  After 1998, anyone who owned a firearm intended to purchase additional firearms or ammunition was required to upgrade to a new license.  The choices available were a Possession Only License (POL), available to people who owned firearms who did not intend to purchase additional firearms at a future date.  A Possession Acquisition License (PAL) was intended for people who intended to purchase additional firearms.  If a person intended to purchase both restricted firearms and Non-Restricted firearms, a Restricted PAL was required.  If only non-restricted Firearms were intended to be purchased, the Non-Restricted PAL was required.  For definitions of Restricted and Non-Restricted Firearms see the RCMP website.  Currently anyone under the age of 18 wishing to own firearms must participate in a full CFSC and apply for a Minor’s License.



Current Canadian laws state anyone who owns a firearm and does not want to purchase any more needs to have a valid POL or PAL.  Anyone who owns a firearm or intends to borrow or purchase any firearm or ammunition is required have a valid PAL.   Information on eligibility requirements for either a POL or a PAL is available from the RCMP  website.  Anyone requiring a PAL must pass two examinations demonstrating proficiency and competency in firearm knowledge and safe handling procedures for firearms.

To be able to possess firearms lawfully, a licence authorizing possession of the firearm is required. A registration certificate is required for any restricted or prohibited firearms.




If the firearms licence expires, registration certificates for restricted or prohibited firearms may be revoked. Therefore, it is very important that the licence be renewed before it expires in order to minimize the risk of penalties under the Criminal Code for illegal possession of a firearm.

For those with prohibited firearms, grandfathering privileges to possess those firearms only apply if they continuously hold a registration certificate for those categories of prohibited firearms. To keep the registration certificates they need to keep and renew their licence.

A six-month extension period for the five-year firearms Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) came into force by Order in Council on November 30, 2017.

If your license expired on or after November 30, 2017, and you are within six months of its expiration date, you can renew your licence either online or by submitting a paper application (see exemptions). If it has expired more than six months ago, information on how to renew a firearms license is available on the Canadian Firearms Program website or by calling the Program at 1-800-731-4000. 

For additional information, visit the RCMP website.



British Columbia residents over the age of 10 who wish to obtain a valid Hunter Number are required to pass the Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education course.  There are written and practical portions.  Once the tests have been passed, the results and application are sent off to the British Columbia Wildlife Federation.  A CORE Graduation Certificate is mailed out, and a Resident Hunter Number Card must be obtained from a Service BC office (there is no addtional charge, but there is a fee to laminate the card).  Once a Resident Hunter Number Card is acquired, you may purchase a Resident Hunting License and also apply for a Limited Entry Hunting License.  To hunt in British Columbia, neither a PAL, nor a POL are required, but you still need a PAL or POL to purchase firearms and ammunition.  While hunting with firearms, you must be accompanied someone with a valid PAL or POL.  Passing the Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education Program does not allow an individual to borrow or purchase a firearm or ammunition.
Due to current COVID 19 restrictions, there is a delay in prosessing CORE paperwork.


CANADIAN FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
INFORMATION:
Home

CORE

PAL Non Restricted

PAL Restricted

Fees

Schedule

Links

Contact
North Central Firearms Training.ca
Prince George All in 1 CORE, PAL and Restricted PAL Training
AMENDED REQUIREMENTS FOR
EXPIRED PAL / RPAL:

Last Updated:
January 2021