PAL Course in Nanaimo
CFSC, CRFSC, and CORE Hunter Education at Vancouver Island UniversitySilvercore teaches the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC), the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC), and CORE Hunter Education at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, in a classroom on the main campus at 900 Fifth Street. Courses run throughout the year in weekend, weekday, and evening formats depending on demand. Silvercore has been teaching across BC since 1994.
Who trains in Nanaimo
Students travel to VIU Nanaimo from Nanaimo, Lantzville, Ladysmith, Cedar, Cassidy, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and across central Vancouver Island. Drive times from common starting points run roughly 10 minutes from downtown Nanaimo, 10 minutes from the Departure Bay ferry terminal, 15 minutes from Lantzville, 15 minutes from the Duke Point ferry terminal, 25 minutes from Ladysmith, 30 minutes from Parksville, and 35 minutes from Qualicum Beach.
What to expect
The classroom is set up for hands-on instruction. We bring real, deactivated firearms representing each action type you will be tested on, and you handle every one. You work through the curriculum with an instructor, write the written test, and complete the practical test at the end of the course.
CFSC and CRFSC are non-firing courses. There is no live range component, and there is no challenge or test-out option for either course. The test-out pathway was removed years ago. Everyone takes the full in-person course, residents and non-residents alike.
How to book
Course dates and registration are on the Canadian Firearms Safety Course page for the combined CFSC and CRFSC, the CRFSC-only page if you already have your non-restricted, and the CORE Hunter Education page for hunter education.
Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC and CRFSC Combined)
The most popular path to your PAL. Both the non-restricted CFSC and the restricted CRFSC in one course, exams included. Two days or three evenings. Save $55 versus taking the courses separately.
Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC)
For students who already have their non-restricted PAL and want to add restricted privileges for handguns and other restricted firearms. One day, exams included.
CORE Hunter Education
BC's required hunter education program for resident hunters applying for a hunting licence. In-person courses and CORE exam challenges held at VIU Nanaimo on a regular basis.
Register for a course in Nanaimo!
Combined CFSC and CRFSC course
CFSC-only course
CRFSC-only course
CORE Hunter Education
Silvercore at Vancouver Island University Nanaimo
Silvercore teaches the CFSC, CRFSC, and CORE Hunter Education at the VIU Nanaimo campus. Same RCMP-approved curriculum, same Silvercore instructor cadre, delivered in a classroom on one of Vancouver Island's largest university campuses, central to the mid-Island region.
Silvercore Club
The Silvercore Club is the next step once your PAL is in hand. Members across Canada and around the world get ATT for restricted firearms through our RCMP-approved ATT club, $5 million in liability insurance through Lloyd's of London, and access to The Outpost, our member-only podcast. $59 a year.
Study Online Before You Come to Class
View all CoursesStudents who study the CFSC and CRFSC theory online before their in-person course score higher on the written test. Videos, slides, and quizzes built by master instructors. Work through the theory at home so your time at VIU Nanaimo is hands-on, not catch-up.
Free PAL Practice Exam (Online)
Free PAL practice exam to test your readiness. Quick, realistic questions with instant results. Most people are surprised by their score. Find out where you stand before taking the official test.
CORE Hunter Education Course (Online)
Designed by experienced CORE instructors, this online course covers the theoretical portion of the B.C. CORE hunter education program.