The licensing process:
The process for obtaining your PAL/RPAL consists of the following steps:
P.O Box 1200
Miramichi, NB E1N 5Z3
If you are between the age of 12yrs and 18yrs and wish to apply for a Minor Licence you must have first completed this CFSC course and passed with the required pass mark. Please contact the CFO (Chief Firearms Officer) in the Province in which you will be using the firearm for the correct application process. No one under the age of 18yrs can apply for a PAL.
- Undertake and pass the CFSC/CRFSC training course and examinations.
- Complete the required paperwork for individuals over 18 (form RCMP 5592 / CAFC 921E) and send to: [1] [2]
P.O Box 1200
Miramichi, NB E1N 5Z3
If you are between the age of 12yrs and 18yrs and wish to apply for a Minor Licence you must have first completed this CFSC course and passed with the required pass mark. Please contact the CFO (Chief Firearms Officer) in the Province in which you will be using the firearm for the correct application process. No one under the age of 18yrs can apply for a PAL.
- Wait for CFO to process your application. [3] [4]
- Receive your licence in the mail.
Notes:
[1] The application form for a PAL/RPAL licence requires submission of personal references that will be contacted by CFO. CHOOSE THESE REFERENCES WISELY! The CFO will usually attempt to contact your references once and if they are unsuccessful with leave a message simply asking the reference to contact a phone number. No further processing will take place on your application until these interviews are complete so for timely processing you will require active references that are willing to make first contact with CFO in order to initiate the interview. This strategy can reduce the processing time by months. It is also worth asking a question of your chosen references to determine if they have a criminal record; if so they are ineligible as a reference and you will be eventually contacted by CFO to submit alternative reference details.
[2] For those applying for PAL/RPAL it is considerably cheaper to apply for both licences at the same time.
[3] It is not unusual to have processing take 6 months or more but with active management of the process and good references this can be reduced substantially. We understand the frustration within this waiting period and the overwhelming desire to check the mailbox each day however, patience will definitely be required. The most that you are able to do is to speak with CFO to ensure they have received all paperwork after you have received confirmation of delivery and ensure that they have everything they have to process. You can then ask your references to proactively call CFO to conduct the interviews although this is not always successful. You should ask your references to inform you once the interview has taken place.
[4] Even though you have passed the course you are not permitted to purchase firearms or ammunition until you receive your licence in the mail.
[1] The application form for a PAL/RPAL licence requires submission of personal references that will be contacted by CFO. CHOOSE THESE REFERENCES WISELY! The CFO will usually attempt to contact your references once and if they are unsuccessful with leave a message simply asking the reference to contact a phone number. No further processing will take place on your application until these interviews are complete so for timely processing you will require active references that are willing to make first contact with CFO in order to initiate the interview. This strategy can reduce the processing time by months. It is also worth asking a question of your chosen references to determine if they have a criminal record; if so they are ineligible as a reference and you will be eventually contacted by CFO to submit alternative reference details.
[2] For those applying for PAL/RPAL it is considerably cheaper to apply for both licences at the same time.
[3] It is not unusual to have processing take 6 months or more but with active management of the process and good references this can be reduced substantially. We understand the frustration within this waiting period and the overwhelming desire to check the mailbox each day however, patience will definitely be required. The most that you are able to do is to speak with CFO to ensure they have received all paperwork after you have received confirmation of delivery and ensure that they have everything they have to process. You can then ask your references to proactively call CFO to conduct the interviews although this is not always successful. You should ask your references to inform you once the interview has taken place.
[4] Even though you have passed the course you are not permitted to purchase firearms or ammunition until you receive your licence in the mail.