Question 1

How much does the CORE course cost?

Accepted Answer

The Silvercore CORE Hunter Education course is $210 plus tax, which includes both the written and practical exams on day two. After you pass, the BC Wildlife Federation charges a $30 fee for your certificate of completion. Setting up your Fish and Wildlife ID is free, and a BC resident hunting licence is purchased separately.

Question 2

Where does Silvercore teach the CORE course?

Accepted Answer

The home facility is in Delta, and the course also runs in Langley in the Lower Mainland, and at Victoria, Nanaimo, Parksville, and the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Check the course calendar for upcoming dates at each location.

Question 3

How old do I need to be to take CORE?

Accepted Answer

The minimum age to take the CORE course is 10. Passing CORE lets you get your Fish and Wildlife ID, and BC's youth hunting rules govern what a young hunter can do from there.

Question 4

What are the required materials for this course?

Accepted Answer

1 piece of government issued photo ID Writing material (pen & paper) Valid CFSC Course Report for exemption of practical test (see exemption details in “Overview” on this page)

Question 5

What do I need to prepare for the course?

Accepted Answer

Below are some study materials to help you prepare for your class. Keep in mind, these are not required to be printed off or completed prior to your class, but included in case you need it as a resource. CORE Hunter Education Online Course– This is optional and not a requirement prior to your course BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis– The Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis is crucial in being an informed hunter in British Columbia. This synopsis is available (Silvercore provides one for use in class) and recommended to use during a student's CORE examination. It is also something we recommended students familiarize themselves with to ensure a safe and legal hunt CORE Manual– The CORE Manual is optional, but many students find it to be a valuable resource  CFSC / CRFSC Online Theory – If you purchase this with your in-person CORE course you can get $35 in savings. This is optional and not a requirement prior to your course but is very helpful, especially for those that have not taken the Canadian Firearms Safety Course prior to the CORE Hunter Education Course.

Question 6

Do you offer the CORE course combined with the CFSC/PAL course?

Accepted Answer

No. The RCMP Firearms Program dictates that the CFSC/CRFSC course cannot be combined with any other courses. If a PAL course and CORE course were to be instructed/tested on overlapping days, there would be a risk that your paperwork/license could be deemed invalid, even at a later time.

Question 7

Do I need a PAL before taking CORE?

Accepted Answer

No. CORE has no firearms licence prerequisite. The PAL matters afterward: to hunt with a firearm in BC you need both your hunting credentials and a PAL to possess the firearm. If you have already passed the CFSC, bring your course report and you are exempt from the CORE practical test. A PAL card alone is not accepted as proof of exemption under BCWF rules.

Question 8

What score do I need to pass the exam?

Accepted Answer

The written exam pass mark is 75 percent. On the current 90-question exam, that means at least 68 correct answers. Some examiners may still administer the previous 80-question version during the transition, where a pass is 60 out of 80. Either way, the standard is the same 75 percent. You will need at least a score of 23 out of a possible 30 to pass the practical firearms handling examination.

Question 9

What happens if I fail the CORE exam?

Accepted Answer

You can retest, but you must wait at least 24 hours before retesting, and a $30 exam fee applies for each retest attempt. The best insurance is preparation. The online CORE course lets you study the full theory portion before exam day.

Question 10

How soon will I find out if I have passed?

Accepted Answer

The CORE Examiner will advise you right away if you have passed or failed. Those who pass will receive proof with a BC Wildlife Registration Form.

Question 11

How Do I get my Fish & Wildlife ID (FWID)?

Accepted Answer

You can set up your FWID any time, and you do not need CORE to do it. The FWID is free, open to anyone, and since February 2026 it is required for freshwater fishing as well as hunting. Log in to WILD at gov.bc.ca/WILD-login using a BC Services Card Account or a Basic BCeID, or set one up in person at a FrontCounter BC location, a Service BC location, or a participating vendor. What CORE gives you is the hunting credential that goes onto that profile. When you pass, you will receive your BCWF Registration form, which you can mail to the BCWF or drop at their office. A $30 fee to BCWF gets you your certificate of completion. Once the CORE credential is on your FWID profile, you can buy a hunting licence and apply for Limited Entry Hunting. Of the two login options we would steer you to the BC Services Card Account, because it confirms your identity and, if you are eligible, grants or renews your BC resident credential automatically. The province's FWID page has the current details.

Question 12

I took hunter education in another province. Does BC accept it?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. The BC Wildlife Federation reviews out-of-province hunter education case by case. Send the BCWF your proof of training and they will determine whether equivalency exists. If they do not grant it, the CORE course or the CORE Challenge is your path to an FWID.

Question 13

How long is the CORE course?

Accepted Answer

The course consists of at least 16 hours of instruction with testing conducted after.

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