A Canada firearms licence — officially the Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) — is the mandatory federal credential for any Canadian resident 18 or older who wants to legally own, purchase, or possess firearms and ammunition. The PAL replaced the old Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC) when Bill C-68 came into force in 1998, shifting the framework from a one-time purchase permit to continuous licensing for ongoing possession. It is administered by the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program and issued through provincial Chief Firearms Officers.
PAL vs. RPAL: The Two Licence Types
Canada issues two civilian licence classes. The standard PAL covers non-restricted firearms — rifles and shotguns for hunting, agricultural use, and target shooting. The Restricted PAL (RPAL) adds authorization for restricted firearms: handguns, certain semi-automatic rifles, and any firearm with a barrel under 470 mm. Since October 21, 2022, a national handgun freeze prohibits civilian-to-civilian transfers of handguns; the RPAL remains valuable for renting at ranges and for non-handgun restricted firearms. Since December 15, 2023, a valid PAL is also required to purchase cartridge magazines.
PAL Eligibility Requirements
- Canadian resident aged 18 or older (minors 12–17 may apply for a Minor’s Licence)
- Completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) for a standard PAL; add the CRFSC for an RPAL
- Passed both the written exam (80% minimum) and the practical handling assessment
- No court-ordered firearms prohibition
- Cleared the RCMP background check: criminal records, police databases, domestic call logs, and provincial health records are all cross-referenced
- Subject to the mandatory 28-day statutory waiting period (all first-time applicants)
Two character references are required — both must be 18 or older and have known you personally for at least three years. You must also provide current contact information for any conjugal partner and former partners from the past two years. The Chief Firearms Officer may contact them before your licence is issued.
How to Get a PAL in Canada
- Complete your safety course. Take the CFSC (and CRFSC if you want restricted). Most applicants take a combined weekend combo course. Courses run $200–$380 depending on provider. The student manual is $21.
- Apply through MyCFP or by paper. Eligible first-time applicants can apply online through the RCMP MyCFP portal using a GCKey or Sign-in Partner. Upload your photo, enter reference emails, and pay by credit card or debit. Paper applicants use Form RCMP 5592 with a blue or black ink signature — e-signatures are legally invalid on paper.
- Provide references and partner contact info. The CFP contacts your two references and any conjugal partners directly as part of vetting.
- Submit your photo. Exactly 45 mm x 57 mm, head 30 mm, plain white or light background, neutral expression, no hat except for religious or medical reasons. Paper applicants need a guarantor signature on the back.
- Pay and wait. Application fees run $70–$94 as of March 31, 2026. Processing takes 45–90 days. The 28-day waiting period is included in that window.
For province-specific steps, see the Ontario gun licence guide. Step-by-step costs are in our PAL application costs and steps guide.
Many first-time applicants treat the 28-day statutory waiting period as the main processing delay. It is not. The Chief Firearms Officer’s office must also contact your two character references and any conjugal partners — all of whom can take time to respond. Applications with references who are hard to reach or slow to reply sit in a queue. Before submitting, tell your references the CFO will contact them by email, confirm their details are current, and ask them to respond promptly when they hear from the Canadian Firearms Program.
PAL timelines usually stretch when CFSC proof, references, or CFO follow-up are incomplete — not because of the 28-day waiting period alone. Submit a complete application and answer CFO requests promptly.
PAL Application Costs (2026)
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| CFSC (non-restricted safety course) | $100–$210 |
| CRFSC add-on or combo | $200–$380 combined |
| CFSC/CRFSC student manual | $21 |
| PAL application fee | $70–$94 |
| Passport-style photo | $15–$25 |
| Estimated total | $400–$530+ |
Special Applicant Categories
| Category | Key Requirement |
|---|---|
| Quebec residents | Must submit Form SQ-3007 from the Sûreté du Québec for restricted/prohibited applications. See permis d’armes a feu au Quebec for provincial steps |
| Non-residents (18+) | Non-Resident Firearms Declaration (Form RCMP 5589) at the border; $25 fee; valid 60 days. To borrow from a Canadian sponsor: Temporary Borrowing Licence ($30, 60 days) |
| Minors (ages 12–17) | Minor’s Licence with parent or guardian consent; permits non-restricted rifles and shotguns for hunting, target practice, or cadet programs |
| Indigenous Peoples | Alternative certification available when CFSC is inaccessible; Elder or community leader recommendation may substitute for written and practical exams |
| Sustenance hunters (under 12) | Licence with no minimum age and no CFSC requirement when active subsistence hunting is documented |
| Photo waiver | For applicants whose religion prohibits photographs; requires digital attestation from a recognized religious official |
PAL Renewal
A PAL is valid for five years. Renewal uses Form RCMP 5614 and involves a fresh background check, updated photo, and current spousal contact information — no safety course required. You have a six-month grace period after expiry to renew without losing registration certificates. After that, restricted and prohibited registrations are permanently revoked and any active amnesty protections lapse. For full timelines and what to do if your licence has already expired, see the PAL renewal guide. French-speaking applicants: renouvellement du permis d’armes à feu.
The MyCFP Account Portal
The RCMP MyCFP Account is the central online access point for the Canadian Firearms Program. Eligible first-time applicants can apply, upload photos, enter references, and pay entirely online via GCKey or a banking Sign-in Partner. Course confirmations are now processed digitally and emailed within 10 business days — replacing weeks of waiting for paper mail. Navigate directly to the portal rather than clicking links in RCMP emails (phishing risk). For phone support: 1-800-731-4000.
Gun Registration and the Chief Firearms Officer
Non-restricted firearms do not require registration, but every private transfer must go through the RCMP Reference Number system to verify the buyer’s PAL. Restricted and prohibited firearms require a registration certificate. All licence-related issues — Authorizations to Transport, address changes, business licences — are handled by the Chief Firearms Officer in your province. After a move, follow updating your PAL address after a move. For a full breakdown by firearm class, see gun registration in Canada.
Handgun Freeze and Prohibited Firearms (2026)
Since October 21, 2022, civilian transfers of handguns have been prohibited. Existing owners may retain their handguns but cannot buy, sell, or gift them. The RPAL remains in demand for range use and other restricted firearm types not captured by the freeze. Owners of prohibited assault-style firearms — including 179 models added by Order-in-Council on March 7, 2025 — are protected by a federal amnesty through October 30, 2026. The compensation declaration window closed March 31, 2026; declared owners are awaiting payment through the Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program. Amnesty protection is contingent on a valid, current PAL — if yours lapses past the six-month grace period, criminal liability resumes immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Every firearm purchase requires a valid PAL. The seller verifies your licence through the RCMP Reference Number system before any transfer. Since December 2023, a PAL is also required to purchase cartridge magazines.
A PAL covers non-restricted firearms (rifles, shotguns). An RPAL adds authorization for restricted firearms including handguns and certain semi-automatic rifles. The RPAL requires completing both the CFSC and CRFSC plus a higher-tier background check.
Processing typically takes 45–90 days from a complete submission. All first-time applicants must wait through the mandatory 28-day statutory waiting period, which is included in that timeframe. Online MyCFP applications tend to process faster than paper submissions.
You have six months after expiry to renew without losing registration certificates. After that, restricted and prohibited certificates are permanently revoked, amnesty protections lapse, and you risk criminal liability. Renew early.
Yes. Eligible first-time applicants can apply through the RCMP MyCFP portal using a GCKey or banking Sign-in Partner, upload a digital photo, enter references, and pay online. Paper applications via Form RCMP 5592 are still accepted with a handwritten blue or black ink signature.
