By Travis Bader, founder of Silvercore Outdoors.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
No. Silvercore teaches the restricted PAL course (CRFSC) and both of its exams in person, and its combined course page states: "There is no online version of the course or the exams." Under Firearms Act s. 7(2), eligibility for a restricted licence turns on completing an approved restricted course as given by an instructor designated by a chief firearms officer and passing its tests as administered by one. Silvercore's online study course covers restricted firearms as a study tool and does not replace the in-person CRFSC or its exams.
What does the law require for a restricted licence?
Section 7(2)(a) of the Firearms Act states that an individual is eligible to hold a licence authorizing the individual to possess prohibited firearms or restricted firearms only if the individual meets one of three conditions. The first is that the individual "successfully completes a restricted firearms safety course that is approved by the federal Minister, as given by an instructor who is designated by a chief firearms officer, and passes any tests, as administered by an instructor who is designated by a chief firearms officer, that form part of that course". Paragraphs (b) and (c) cover people who passed a restricted test, or held a restricted licence, before the Act's commencement day. Subsection 7(4) lists further exceptions.
The RCMP safety courses page states that anyone wanting to acquire restricted firearms "must also take the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course and pass the written and practical tests." At Silvercore, the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) is the prerequisite. The RCMP safety course exceptions page adds: "If you passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course before February 1999 you have also passed the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course by default."
Restricted PAL course (CRFSC): how does Silvercore teach it?
The CRFSC page states: "The CRFSC is $135 plus tax at every Silvercore location in BC, both exams included." It runs one day: "a minimum of six hours of instruction plus the written and practical exams, all on the same day." The prerequisite: "You must complete the CFSC before taking this course."
The page states that the CRFSC "is the course you must pass to add restricted privileges to your PAL" and "there is no separate RPAL course." Silvercore teaches it in Delta, Langley, New Westminster, Victoria, Nanaimo, Parksville and the Comox Valley, with the home classroom at the Silvercore training facility in Delta. Training uses deactivated, non-firing firearms. The pass mark is 80 percent on each exam, written and practical.
If you have not taken the CFSC yet, the combined CFSC and CRFSC course is $270 plus tax and runs "Two consecutive days or three consecutive evenings, all exams included." Its page states the combined course includes "the CFSC for your non-restricted PAL and the CRFSC for restricted privileges".
Restricted PAL course (CRFSC): what can you do online?
You can study. The combined course page states: "There is no online version of the course or the exams." The online study course page states: "The Canadian Firearms Safety Course must be taken in person with a certified instructor, and so must the CRFSC."
The online study course ($79) covers restricted material. Its topics include "Care of Restricted and Non-Restricted Firearms" and "Safe Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Restricted and Non-Restricted Firearms." Its page states: "This course does not provide PAL certification and is used solely as a study tool when taking your in-person course." The online course does not replace the in-person CRFSC or its exams. The CRFSC page offers it as an add-on "for an additional $44 at checkout", bought at the same time as the in-person course. Your retest is free if you bought the online study course before your in-person course, including when you add it at checkout, or if you are a Silvercore Club member.
For exam practice, PAL Exam Mastery ($39) includes 300 restricted questions. Asked whether you need them, its page answers: "Only if you plan to take the restricted course for your RPAL."
What does the RCMP charge after you pass?
The RCMP fee to add restricted privileges to an existing non-restricted PAL is $46.92. A new PAL covering non-restricted and restricted firearms is $93.84. Both fees took effect 31 March 2026, and the CRFSC page lists them.
Where does a gun club fit?
Gun club membership for restricted firearms is RCMP Canadian Firearms Program policy, and the Firearms Act does not require it. Silvercore was the first club in Canada that is not a shooting range to be approved by the RCMP as meeting Authorization to Transport issuance requirements. The Silvercore Club is $59 a year, and members across Canada and internationally get regulatory updates by email, the private Outpost podcast, partner discounts and member liability insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the CFSC in person and the CRFSC online?
No. Silvercore's online course page states: "The Canadian Firearms Safety Course must be taken in person with a certified instructor, and so must the CRFSC." Firearms Act s. 7(2)(a) ties restricted licence eligibility to a restricted course given by an instructor designated by a chief firearms officer, with its tests administered by one.
Can I write the CRFSC exams online after in-person instruction?
No. Silvercore's combined course page states the written and practical exams "are done in a classroom with a certified instructor" and "There is no online version of the course or the exams." On Silvercore's one-day CRFSC, both exams are written the same day as the instruction.
Does Silvercore's online study course cover restricted firearms?
Yes. Its topics include "Care of Restricted and Non-Restricted Firearms" and "Safe Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Restricted and Non-Restricted Firearms." It does not provide PAL certification and does not replace the in-person CRFSC or its exams.
If I passed the CFSC years ago, do I still need the CRFSC for restricted firearms?
Yes, unless you passed the CFSC before February 1999 or another exception in Firearms Act s. 7 applies. The RCMP states: "If you passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course before February 1999 you have also passed the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course by default."
