Tips For Your Licence Application
Updated: September 17, 2021
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We get a lot of questions about the application to get your licence. Here are a few helpful tips to help you through filling it out.
1) Make sure you wait for your certificate(s) from FSESO before you send your application to the RCMP.
The certificates can take up to 2 months from completing your course to show up in your mail. If you moved or you think your certificates might be lost in the mail, please contact us.
If you completed two courses more than a week apart, your certificates will show up separately. Don’t worry if you’ve only received your CFSC certificate. Your CRFSC is not far behind.
2) While you’re waiting for your certificates, get a headstart on your application. Download the application here:
3) Sections A and B
Sections A and B are nothing to write home about. You’ll be used to these types of questions on other bureaucratic paperwork. Read them carefully and fill it all out.
4) Section C
Section C gets a little personal. It asks you if you have ever committed a criminal offence, have anyone in your household who is prohibited from being around firearms, about your mental health, and if you’ve experienced the breakdown of any important relationships. Now this all sounds very daunting and we all have some baggage… Don’t worry! Most of the questions are just for screening and you can provide a written explanation of any that do apply to you.
If you need to attach extra pages for explanation, make sure you write your name at the top and be sure you’re clear about which question you’re writing a response to. Keep in mind the RCMP is typically interested in details about more recent history — but if in doubt you can address anything in your past. You can also call the RCMP Firearms Program to ask questions if you need to.
Sections D, E, and F are pretty straightforward. Continue along filling them out.
5) Section G
Section G can be a little confusing. If you completed the Canadian Firearms Safety course with Range Arts then check “Yes” in 20A and 20B for each of the courses you completed.
For 20C, typically your answer will be “No”. It’s a little tricky because while you have completed safety training under FSESO, which operates in conjunction with the Chief Firearms Office, it is not the same as being certified directly by the Chief Firearms Officer. If you didn’t complete a course in Quebec prior to 1995 your answer will remains “No”. Chances are if you are tempted to write “Yes” to 20C you will be quite sure this applies to you. If you’re unsure, just answer “No”.
6) Section H
We’re almost there folks. You need 2 references to sign your application. Your references can be anyone over the age of 18 that you’ve known for at least 3 years. Sometimes we get asked if that can be your mom. Has your mom known you for at least 3 years? Is she over the age of 18? Is she a person? Yes, your mom works fine, but we also recommend you pick someone with a professional demeanour with a voicemail that identifies them. The RCMP might also send your reference a letter in a plain brown envelope, with a code inside and a phone number to call. Choose someone who is willing to check their mail and is likely to answer their phone. Absentee references is where most applications get slowed down. Remember, your references actually need to sign your application.
7) Section I - Photo
Photo guarantor: On information sheet 4 at the top of your application there is a whole section on how to take your photo. We find it’s easiest is to get a passport photo taken at your drugstore or corner store, but if you’re tech savvy and have a decent printer take a selfie and set you margins to 45mm by 57mm and you’re sorted.
For your photo guarantor’s signature: Print your name and your guarantor's name on the label found on page 4 of the application’s info sheet, under “Label Instructions”. Have your guarantor sign it and complete the Photo Guarantor section of your application. Then cut and affix the label to the back of your photograph, and enclose the signed photograph with your application. We recommend taping it or using a paperclip. Don’t do anything that permanently damages the photo itself. We don’t know how the RCMP handles these photos on their end, so best to keep things easy for them.
8) Section J - Pay Up
Now that you’ve made it past a few of these tricky areas don’t forget to enclose payment! As of today if you’re applying for a single Non-restricted only, or upgrading your existing PAL to RPAL, the price is $62.55. If you’re applying for both Non-restricted and Restricted together the price totals $83.40.
9) Don’t forget to Sign
Don’t forget… they’ll send it back to you. Double and triple check your signature lines are all signed.
10) Reminder to Enclose your FSESO Certificates
In the mail, you’ll receive 2 copies of each certificate for each course you completed. You can send one to the RCMP and keep one for yourself for your records. We recommend sending them the one that is most legible. Sometimes the information doesn’t transfer well through the carbon copies but don’t worry. If this applies to you remember FSESO has only stamped it because they’ve processed all the information and it’s “in the system”. The RCMP will have access to that information even if they have trouble reading the carbon copies. It’s very unlikely they’ll send your application back because they have trouble reading a certificate.
11) Mail It
Mail your completed application form and all attachments to:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
P.O. Box 1200
Miramichi NB E1N 5Z3
We recommend sending it using Canada Post and make sure you get a tracking number so it is guaranteed to arrive. You don’t want to have to do this all over again!
12) You did it! Give the RCMP a few months to take a look and chill in the meantime!
If you need to learn more about the Canadian Firearms Safety Courses:
Vintage European style deer head framed illustration from The Queen's Jubilee and Toronto "Called Back" from 1887 to 1847. This Revised Edition Contains the Progress of the City from 1886 to 1887, Etc by Conyngham Crawford Taylor (1887).