As of March 1, 2022, all Firearms courses in Ontario are able to resume in-person classes. Please register and get on our mailing list for updates. Courses are subject to a COVID-19 protocol that includes a requirement to wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
You need to take a course, pass a test and complete a PAL application form. The course is no longer optional (as of July 2015).
Every person in Canada must have a PAL before they can legally own a firearm or purchase ammunition in Canada. This applies to non-Canadian citizens (while in Canada) as well. If you want to own a firearm for trap and skeet or target shooting this is the only license you need. If you might want to hunt with a firearm, you should also see the section on getting a hunting license.
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- To apply for a PAL, you need to have taken the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and passed the exam or test before you can apply. The course and optional text book will help you prepare for the exam. You must be 18 years old and apply for a firearms license. If under 18, your parent can request the Minor’s License application, (by calling the CFO - 1-800-731-4000 ext. 7548) but the young person must have taken the CFSC and passed the exam.
- You must be taught and tested by a certified instructor/examiner for the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (all Hunter and Gun Safety instructors are). A listing of instructors and examiners in Ontario is posted here - http://www.fseso.org
- Three to six weeks after passing the test you should receive a certified copy of your test results back from the Chief Firearms Office (CFO). Once you receive the test results, you can mail in one copy of that form with your completed license application (or scan and upload it if completing your PAL application online). You should expect your PAL in 2 to 4 months, assuming everything goes smoothly.
- The application process can be done online or by mailing in a form. Please see this website: https://rcmp.ca/en/firearms/apply-firearms-licence to see if you are eligible for the online process and/or to download the proper form. Do not try to apply without actually having your completed course report forms back from FSESO as this is the proof that is required to show you passed the course(s).
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- The CFSC course includes the “PROVE” process, loading, unloading, range procedures, the shooting positions, the carry positions, everything up to but not including live fire exercises. You will learn the theory required for the written test and become familiar enough with each of the action types that you should have no problem whatsoever in passing the practical handling portions of the test. We assume you have never handled a firearm before coming to the course.
- The Canadian Firearms Safety Course test consists of 50 true/false and multiple-choice questions AND a “one on one” practical handling test (about 15-20 minutes per student) with non-restricted firearms.
- You must pass BOTH the written and the practical portions with at least 80% to pass the overall test.
- If you want to have Possession and Acquisition privileges for restricted firearms, like handguns or some military style semi-auto rifles, you must also take and pass the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) and exam. It is very similar to the CFSC, except it pertains to and uses restricted handguns for the practical test. You must be 18 years old to take the restricted firearms course.
- The CFSC course includes the “PROVE” process, loading, unloading, range procedures, the shooting positions, the carry positions, everything up to but not including live fire exercises. You will learn the theory required for the written test and become familiar enough with each of the action types that you should have no problem whatsoever in passing the practical handling portions of the test. We assume you have never handled a firearm before coming to the course.
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- A paperback copy of the study manual (covering both CFSC & CRFSC) is available from us at the courses.
- It can be downloaded for free at: http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.801815/publication.html
- The RCMP has made several training videos that are now on YouTube, showing the practical handling procedures for non-restricted and restricted firearms. Check out a link here and http://www.youtube.com/user/1stShotFirearms Searching CFSC or CRFSC at youtube.com may provide some useful information.
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- Simply register at this website.
- We need your full legal name, a phone number, an email address, your age (if under 18 or confirmation that you are over 18) and the course(s) and dates you want.
- To complete your registration, we require a $50 non-refundable deposit. The easiest way to send payment is via Interac e-Transfer (Electronic Money Transfer) to hunterandgunsafety@gmail.com. Once we have a $50 per person deposit, we will place you on a course roster on a tentative basis. A week or two in advance of the course we will email you to ask you to RSVP to check that you are intending to attend the course (or need to re-book). If you cancel AFTER Noon on the Monday preceding the course, or fail to attend the course, you will lose your deposit. If you contact us BEFORE NOON on the Monday preceding the course (or the course is cancelled due to COVID-19), you will be able to re-book for a future course without penalty.
If you have questions, you can contact me at hunterandgunsafety@gmail.com - email works best
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- The course follows the chapters or modules in the text book. You should try to read the book ahead of the course.
- In general the topics covered include: the evolution of firearms, major parts, types and actions, basic firearms safety practices, ammunition, operating firearms actions, safe handling and carrying procedures, firing techniques and procedures, care of firearms, responsibilities of the firearms owner/user, and safe storage, display, transportation and handling of firearms.
- In the course and test, all firearms are disabled and only dummy ammunition is used. You learn to identify and safely use 5 different actions types (bolt, lever, pump, break and semi-automatic).
- The Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety course is similar except that it focuses exclusively on handguns and the special aspects of restricted firearms in Canada. Students handle double and single action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols.
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- The Canadian government has passed laws that have made it more and more difficult to obtain and use firearms over the years. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearms_regulation_in_Canada
- If you are over 18 years of age, we strongly urge you to consider completing the Restricted course at the same time as your non-restricted, simply for the fact that it will not get any easier in the future and you are more than half way there once we have booked the non-restricted course.
- The Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) is 6 hours long.
- We usually run Restricted Courses every few months (depending on demand). Most people do the non-restricted course before the restricted course, as the restricted course does build on the non-restricted one, but you have the choice to do them in whatever order you wish. You do need to complete both courses to get a PAL with restricted privileges.
- For costing information, please see https://hunterandgunsafety.com/about/
- Information on the CRFSC is available at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/firearms-safety
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- Check out the requirements posted on www.ohep.net
- In summary, you should review the text book, and take the Ontario Hunter Education Course (OHEC). It is a one day "in-person" course that we offer 3-4 times per year.
- If you want to hunt with a firearm, then you also will need the Canadian Firearm Safety Course in order to apply for your PAL (or Minor's License if under 18). Most people do the CFSC before the OHEC, however, these courses can be done in any order.
- Course dates are posted here
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- Generally – Yes - The Ontario Hunter Education Course (OHEC) is mandatory for all wishing to get their Small Game or any hunting license. There are exceptions for people that have a hunting license from another state or province and have just moved to Ontario, or you are a diplomat, but otherwise, you must take a Hunter Ed “stand alone” course or a One Stop Course. If this exception describes you, you may challenge this test (without taking the course). If you fail the challenge, then you must then take the full course. No second challenges are allowed.
- We offer the OHEC 3 to 4 times a year. There is an option to do the Ontario Hunter Education Course "online", but it is much more enjoyable and interactive to attend one of our in-person sessions (and they both take about 8 hours).
- You can take the OHEC as young as 12 years old.
- Successful candidates will then apply to the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry to receive their Outdoors Card (www.ontario.ca/outdoorscard). You cannot go hunting for anything, period, without first getting your Outdoors card and the appropriate hunting license.
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- A “One Stop” course is a combined Ontario Hunter Education Course (OHEC) PLUS a Federal CFSC course back to back, usually over a 2 ½ day weekend covering ~20 hours.
- Typical hours for a One Stop course are Friday night 6:30 pm -10 pm, Sat 8am - 5 pm +exams and Sun 8 am - 5 pm
- Stand-alone CFSC course is Friday 6:30 pm - 10 pm and Saturday 8 am to 5 pm + exams
- Stand-alone CRFSC course is Sunday 8 am to 3 pm + exams
- Stand-alone OHEC is Sunday 8 am to 4 pm
- CFSC Exams are usually held Saturday night from 5 to 9 pm after the course is completed (or by mutually agreed appointment time). It can take several hours as each student must do a 1:1 practical exam that takes 15 to 20 minutes each
- Testing may add 1 to 3 hours to the overall course duration depending on:
- class size,
- how long it takes for you to write 1 or 2 exams and
- where you are on the practical testing schedule (1st or 12th )
- Students are tested right after their course is completed.
- The testing schedule is flexible, however we generally try to test those people who are travelling the greatest distances or those who have to go to work etc. first and then test the remaining students later in the evening. Your practical test runs about 15 - 20 minutes.
- Special Needs: If for some reason you feel you would benefit from having these tests delivered orally (read to you) we can arrange for a reader to come in and you can complete the written portion of the test in that manner. There is no extra fee for this service but we do like to know in advance so we can make the appropriate arrangements.
- Note: you must attend the entire course (Friday night and all day Sat.) in order to be eligible for the “completion of CFSC course” designation.
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- Please try to get the text book(s) ahead of time and read or at least skim them over. The books make excellent gifts for potential students. See other FAQs for info on how to get the books. Bring the books to the course.
- about 1 to 2 weeks before your course you will get a RSVP / reminder email asking you to confirm that "yes - I still plan on attending" or inviting you to re-book. This email will contain reminders about the logistics of the course (where, when, what to bring etc.)
- For CFSC, on the first night, arrive by 6:30 pm to find a seat and get checked in and registered.
- Payment for your course (net of the $50 minimum deposit), can be made in advance, but is due that first night. Cash or Electronic Money Transfer is preferred. We do not accept debit or credit cards.
- Bring ball point pens (black and / or blue). The forms must be filled out with this style of pen.
- Bring note paper and a highlighter (for the text books) (easier than taking a lot of notes).
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- Bring original government issued ID (Drivers License, Passport, NEXUS, Birth certificate, Status Card, SIN etc.) Photo ID is best (Driver’s License, Passport, etc.) for each person including Minors.
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- DO NOT bring any live ammunition or firearms to the course. We will have at least one disabled firearm per person in the class and plenty of dummy ammo for practicing.
We usually have one instructor per course, sometimes with a helper. We are based in the Chatham/Blenheim area and are fully accredited in the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course, Ontario Hunter Education Course, and Canadian Shooting Sports Association Handgun Safety course. Our instructors are listed on the fseso.org and the www.ohep.net website as certified instructors & examiners. Our lead instructor is also an approved RCMP Firearms Verifier and brings over 35 plus years of shooting and hunting experience to each and every course, delivering a program superior to anything else offered in this region.
In the 25+ years I have been holding courses we have never cancelled a public course once it has been announced (i.e. posted on a website) – other than due to COVID. The COVID pandemic did cancel some 2020 and 2021 courses (and our Jan 2022 courses), but we are back teaching. A published course will run whether there are 12 people or 3 people. However typical class sizes are around 8 to 12 for single instructor courses and about twice that for double instructor courses.
Our courses typically sell out 2 to 3 months in advance.
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- Usually we hold public courses once per month. Check our website www.hunterandgunsafety.com for upcoming course dates and locations.
- If you have a group of 8 or more, we can create a private course just for your group. If you don’t quite have enough people, we can try to combine your group with another to fill it up to the minimum needed to put on a course.
- A $50 per person (per weekend) non-refundable deposit is required as part of the registration process to secure your spot on the course. The easiest way to send payment is via Interac e-Transfer (Electronic Money Transfer) to us at hunterandgunsafety@gmail.com Be sure to include the full name(s) of the person(s) being covered by the deposit, the course(s) requested and the preferred date of the course in the notes. Set the answer to the security question to “SafetyFirst” if a question is required. Once we have a $50 per person deposit, we will place you on a course roster on a tentative basis. A week or two in advance of the course we will email you to ask you to RSVP to check that you are intending to attend the course (or need to re-book). If you cancel AFTER Noon on the Monday preceding the course, or do not attend the course, you will lose your deposit. If you contact us BEFORE NOON on the Monday preceding the course, with a request to change course dates, (or the course is cancelled due to Public Health concerns), you will be able to re-book for a future course without penalty.
- Final course payment (net of the $50 deposit) must be received no later than at the beginning of the course. Cash at the beginning of the course or Interac e-Transfer (Electronic Money Transfer) only. We do not have access to debit or credit payment options. If you haven’t yet bought text books, bring cash for that please - $20 for CFSC/CRFSC - but try to get and read it earlier.
- If you plan to come back and do another course with us at a future date, we can “roll” your deposit from the current course to the future course after you pay for the first course in full.
- Deposits are not transferable between different people and do not expire.
- CFSC with the written and practical exam = $180
- CRFSC with the written and practical exam = $180 ($140 if done within 60 days of the CFSC)
- Ontario Hunter Education Course with exams = $100
- CFSC + CRFSC = $320 (if done on the same weekend, or CRFSC within 60 days of CFSC)
- “One Stop” – Combined CFSC + “in-person” Hunter Ed. Course = $280
- All three courses and exams (CFSC + CRFSC + “in-person” Hunter Ed. course) with exams = $420 (you can do the courses in any order – most people take the CFSC first, but that is not required.
- If you take the course(s) and fail any of the tests on the first attempt, we offer the option to re-take that same course, for free, within 6 months, if you commit to do the re-test with us.
- If you fail and need a re-test for CFSC (both written and practical) test only (no course) = $60
- If you fail and need a re-test for CRFSC (both written and practical) test only (no course) = $60
- If you fail and need to re-test the Hunter Education Course Test (written only- there is no Hunter Ed. Practical) = $40
- If you fail either the written or practical portions of the CFSC or CRFSC (pass = 80%), you must take both parts over again and pay the $60 fee again
The above fees exclude the cost of the text books.
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- A “first time” PAL with only non-restricted is about $65 (as of Mar 2023) (good for 5 years) – .
- A “first time” PAL with both non-restricted AND restricted privileges is about $86 (as of Mar 2023 & good for 5 years).
- Upgrading from a non-restricted PAL to a restricted PAL = about $43 and you need to re-submit the application and a fee.
- See http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/changes-service-fees for more details.
- Prices change every March 1st.
- These fees are payable to the Federal Government when you apply for your PAL (and every 5 years thereafter as long as you continue to own firearms).
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- No - only if the courts revoke your license or order that retaking the course and/or test is a condition of getting you license back. It is similar to your Ontario driver’s license; once you get it, you just keep renewing it by paying a fee every 5 yrs. (don’t let your PAL expire if you still own firearms – it is a criminal offence to have firearms without a proper license)
- About 4-6 weeks after you pass the test(s) you will receive a “Course Report” that proves you have passed the course. We strongly suggest you scan and archive a copy of your Course Report(s) and apply for your PAL immediately. If you wait years before applying for the PAL and lose your course report(s) and the government cannot find their copy, they may make you take the course again. We suggest applying for your PAL as soon as you get the course report back.
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- To get a PAL, you must be 18 and have passed the test. Those under 18 can have their parents apply for a Minor’s License on their behalf, but the minor must take the course and pass the test. See https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/minors
- To hunt, un-supervised, in Ontario, you must be 15 and you must have a Minor’s License. The requirements for hunting vary by age. Check out www.ohep.net for more details.
- You can hunt, under supervision, with a licensed mentor who is over 18, if you are 12-14 and you have taken the Hunter Education Course (or a One Stop Course) and passed the Hunter education test.
- You can take the non-restricted firearms safety course (CFSC) and/or the Ontario Hunter Education Course (OHEC) as young as 12 years old.
- You must be 18 to take the Restricted Course (CRFSC) for it to "count" towards getting your restricted license.
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- We do not recommend taking the CFSC and Hunter Ed. course unless you are over 12.
- The CFSC material and tests were written at the level most 12-year old’s can easily comprehend (Grade 7).
- All participants are expected to complete their own course participant forms (requires knowing their full mailing address, postal code, phone number, email address) and sign with a cursive signature.
- Our experience is that students that have been “pushed” to attend the course will not be successful in passing. We recommend that the prospective student obtain the 2 text books (CFSC and OHEC) ahead of time and read them before committing to the course or test. If the student devours the books and craves more knowledge, then they are ready.
- For the CFSC or CRFSC, the text book is the “Canadian Firearms Safety Course Manual”. It can be downloaded for free at: http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.801815/publication.html hard copies of the text book are available from us at the courses.
- For the Ontario Hunter Education Course, this text book will be handed out at the Course. If you want to read it ahead of time, it is available at https://www.ohep.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/HunterEducationManual_2021.pdf
- The Ontario Hunting regulations are provided to each student taking the Hunting Course and a copy can be used by the student while taking the OHEC test. Students are encouraged to also read over it ahead of time.
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- It depends on what test was actually taken and passed. If it was the old Hunter Education course and test, you may have already met the requirements for obtaining a hunting license – but probably not a PAL. If the “test” was after 1993, it might have been an early version of the CFSC test and it might meet the PAL requirements. Find the paperwork you received when you did the test and verify what it actually covered.
- If you can’t find the paperwork, the MNRF can do archive searches to verify that you have the hunting course and exam already completed. Contact Service Ontario to verify your particular hunting requirements or to initiate a records search. See www.serviceontario.ca for more information. Start by calling the Outdoors Card centre at 1-800-387-7011.
- The RCMP can verify if you have already taken a test that meets the requirements of the PAL (if they can find you in their system). Contact the Canadian Firearms Program for help with this at https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/contact-the-canadian-firearms-program
- If it has been a long time since you have taken a test, you should know that the laws have changed over time and you may want to consider re-taking the course and test just to get “re-acquainted” with the new laws and materials.
- In general, most courses are offered Friday nights and weekends. See FAQ#9 for normal times. We will offer other dates and times for private courses.
- There is flexibility to spread your course(s) over two or 3 different dates / weekends.
- You can take the CFSC portion one weekend and the CRFSC or OHEC on another weekend. Most people take the CFSC first, but this is not a requirement. You can take any of our three courses in any order. Since the processing time for getting a PAL takes several months, while getting a hunting license after the course takes a few days, we suggest taking the CFSC and/or CRFSC before the OHEC.
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- Effective January 1, 2017, the requirement for a separate course or exam for wild turkey hunting has been eliminated. Completion of the Hunter Education course will now entitle students to purchase a Wild Turkey license (without having to take any further courses or exams).
- See http://www.ohep.net/courses/ontario-wild-turkey-hunter-education-course/.
You need a PAL with restricted privileges, which requires the CFSC and CRFSC.
Once you have that, you can then apply to purchase your first restricted firearm. New PALs that have restricted privileges include SOME automatic ATT conditions attached at issuance – carefully read the letter that comes with your PAL. See http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/bill-c-71-need-know
If you do not yet have your R-PAL, you can shoot restricted firearms under the direct and immediate supervision of someone that does.
The Federal government as recently implemented a ban on the permanent transfer (buying) or restricted handguns. You can still purchase restricted rifles and shotguns (and even borrow restricted handguns), but only IF you have a restricted firearms license (often referred to as a "R-PAL")
As of Oct 2022, via Bill C-21, the Federal government has implemented a “ban” on the legal permanent transfer of most restricted handguns. You can however, still get a PAL with Restricted privileges (R-PAL) and borrow or use restricted rifles and shotguns and certain jobs continue to require R-PALs, so we will continue to teach the CRFSC as long as there is demand for the course.
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- Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters – www.ofah.org – all new hunters should join. Membership includes liability insurance, a great magazine, keeping you up to date on hunter issues in Ontario and good liability insurance and the way to get your turkey training.
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – www.ontario.ca/mnrf - a good source of information including maps and regulations.
- Canadian Firearms Program of the RCMP - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp - licensing and registration of firearms, legal requirements, PAL applications etc. Via website or 1-800-731-4000
- Ontario Hunter Education Program www.ohep.net – good information on getting your hunting license, ordering the Hunter Ed manual, learning about the different kinds of licenses (H1 & H2), a listing of Hunter Education Instructors and more information on the Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program.
- Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario – www.fseso.org – an Ontario organization dedicated to teaching firearms safety - includes a listing of instructors and examiners and the source for the CFSC and CRFSC text books.
- Rondeau Bay Waterfowler’s - http://rondeauwaterfowlers.com - a local group that runs duck hunting in Rondeau Provincial Park and Rondeau Bay
- Canadian Shooting Sports Association – http://cssa-cila.org/ supporting and promoting all manner of shooting sports and competitions.
- National Firearms Association – www.nfa.ca - a Canadian firearms group dedicated to promoting and advocating on issues relevant to Canadian Firearms owners – includes a nice magazine.
- Canadian Access to Firearms – https://canadianguns.com – a Canadian “buy and sell” publication for new and used guns, including listings of most gun stores in Canada
- Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights - a Canadian group advocating for firearms rights - https://firearmrights.ca/
Rondeau Rod and Gun Club – www.rrgc.ca
10260 Campbell Line, Blenheim, ON
2 trap ranges, 5 stand and skeet, 25 yd and 100 yard Outdoor Rifle & Handgun range, IDPA & PPC venues
Dover Rod & Gun Club – www.doverrodandgunclub.com
5806 Heron Line, Grande Point, ON
1 Trap range, Outdoor 3D Archery Range, 30 yd Indoor Archery.
Lambton Sportsman Club – http://www.lambtonsportsman.com
521 Bickford Line, Sombra, ON
2 Trap ranges, Sporting Clays range, 25 yd Outdoor Rifle & Handgun, 50 yd Outdoor Rifle & Handgun, 85 yard Outdoor Rifle.
CAN-AM clays, IDPA & SASS venues
Trails End Club –
10635 Pioneer Line, Chatham ON
1 Trap Range, 50 position 100 yd Outdoor Handgun & Rifle Range
SASS, IDPA & Canadian Muzzleloading competitions.
Kent Cloverleaf Conservation Club – www.kentcloverleafconservationclub.org
2 Trap ranges, 1 Skeet range, 50 yd. Outdoor Rifle & Handgun, 25 yd Indoor Handgun, IDPA, PPC, Bullseye & SASS venues.
9092 English Line, Chatham, ON