RPAL Advice? Do I have a chance lol

[u/shitmountainclimber]

I have to get my PAL/RPAL for school - but I'm not familiar with this world at all. Am I screwed? Any tips? I've talked to some people who run the course local to me and they seem to think its completely doable.

Any and all advice honestly welcome. My partner only has their PAL so he's not too familiar with the RPAL.

I've looked up my question in this sub and I'm only getting results from 10+ years ago - so I'm just throwing it out there again to see whats new.

TIA!

[u/wljw69]

Its not difficult, you can show up not knowing what end of a gun a bullet comes out and leave with the safety and legal storage/transportation rules you need to know. Most instructors are good to deal with and will make sure you learn everything you need to know to be safe and legal

[u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

For school??? 🤔🤔🤔

[u/shitmountainclimber → u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

sorry for waiting so long to answer - Natural Law Enforcement!! One of the career streams, probably the most popular, is Conservation Officer.

Since I already have a relevant degree i can do it in one year ONLY if I get my RPAL.

[u/Substantial-Onion-92 → u/shitmountainclimber]

Sault College? Feel free to DM me I went this route.

[u/Winter-Sympathy5037 → u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

Ya I wanna go to whatever school this is.

[u/Ravens_beak224 → u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

OP what school we want to know

[u/Riversruinsandwoods → u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

Something in that puts you in grizzly/polar bear country. Forestry work, wilderness guiding, geological work, fish and wildlife those would be my best guesses. Any kind of remote work in areas with things that if they want to will tear yea to shreds.

[u/PalmTreeVoid → u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25]

I had the same question! What school?

[u/Enough_Challenge7264 → u/PalmTreeVoid]

Cop

[u/Substantial-Onion-92 → u/Enough_Challenge7264]

You don't even need to have a PAL to be a cop let online school or police foundations. It definitely helps get in though. Some jobs like CBSA, Conservation, and Brinks do require PAL/RPAL. I'd be very curious to find out what school this is required for.

[u/shitmountainclimber → u/Substantial-Onion-92]

you go it. Natural Law Enforcement. I don't want to be a CO, but its a super common career stream for the program.

The 2 & 4 year program its not a pre-req, but for the 1 year post degree program it's a pre-req.

[u/Enough_Challenge7264 → u/Substantial-Onion-92]

So, not cop...but border cop, fish cop, bank cop...but definitely not a cop. Gotcha.

[u/AsparagusUnhappy5395 → u/[deleted]]

I applied Feb 8th and got mine card a few weeks ago. The wait times don’t seem to be bad right now.

[u/AsparagusUnhappy5395 → u/[deleted]]

First time

[u/asantet001 → u/AsparagusUnhappy5395]

I passed mine in late April 2025 and got it in the mail mid June 2025. I think the times just vary.

[u/shitmountainclimber → u/[deleted]]

That's fine, I just need to submit proof of the course/testing completion. Thanks!!

[u/Razul1066 → u/[deleted]]

I just got mine, took just over 30 days

[u/Razul1066 → u/[deleted]]

First time

[u/kaydenb3 → u/Razul1066]

My first time application took ~8 months. I applied in Jan of 2023 and got it in August

[u/itsagrapefruit → u/Razul1066]

Same it came in the mail on day 29. That’s was just over a year ago.

[u/Fast_Introduction_34 → u/[deleted]]

It's like a month now no?

[u/Open_Technology8950 → u/[deleted]]

That is grossly inaccurate. I waited a couple months for my physical card to come in and bought a Glock the same or next day.

[u/Fine-Tie2651 → u/[deleted]]

This is wrong. The average wait time was 40 days. Only if you totally mess up your application, or are an international student, or have a shadow history will it take excessively long

[u/Fine-Tie2651 → u/[deleted]]

First time application. At least 2.5 years ago, the average wait was 40 days.

If you’re a regular inconspicuous Canadian guy or girl then it should be pretty quick. They don’t even call your references and approve it before the waiting period (but don’t mail it out). But if you have any history of mental illness, or crimes or you have a certain sounding name, it may take much longer.

[u/red-eft]

RPAL no harder than PAL. Same process of classroom instruction, some handling of unloaded/disabled handguns, no live fire, then a multiple choice test at end.

[u/julienjj]

For school ? Like police academy ? To my knowledge at least in Quebec trainees needs to pass both courses as the exams results is part of their grades but they do not need to request the actual pal. Same for border patrols.

[u/shitmountainclimber → u/julienjj]

Close, Natural Law Enforcement. The post degree program requires this as a pre req as the course is half as long as the no degree version.

[u/thxxx1337]

10ish years ago I walked into a Cabela's because my dad wanted to get into fishing.

I had no idea stuff like this existed in Canada. I immediately booked a course and learned everything I needed to from the course. The rest from here. You can absolutely go in completely blind and you'll be fine.

[u/TheRip91]

Young kids take the PAL test, so if you can listen/read at that level, you'll pass.

[u/FenderFanatic]

PAL and RPAL are both fully do-able even though RPAL doesn't really benefit you much currently. I got my RPAL in the hopes that laws will change and then I'm ready to go out and buy some new guns if that happens. I don't know what advice there is to give, both courses are quite straight forward.

[u/shitmountainclimber]

Thanks everyone! The program is Natural Law Enforcement, lots of students become CO's after graduating, hence the need for my RPAL. Not all schools have this as a pre-req, but the one specific one i plan to do needs it.

I've heard this community is super nice, and I'm so glad to see everyone really is!! Not a single hate comment on reddit is wild!!! Thanks again everyone!!!!!

[u/LurkerGarry]

You’ll learn everything you need to know during the 2 day class. It’s pretty extensive and they’ll pay extra attention to things that are on the test. You’ll have hands on experience with the firearms and plenty of time to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask.

You can also download the PDF beforehand and learn your essentials. It’s the stuff in bold. The rest can be learned in the classroom.

[u/ohphee]

Just take the course. They are there to help you succeed and to give you the background to keep you safe.

When I took it, there were people from all walks of life. Hunters, collectors, target shooters. Lots of movie industry folks too. I went there to learn a new skill and be safe when I go to the range with friends.

[u/22GageEnthusiast]

Honestly if you just listen to the instructor, comprehend and follow his instructions and speak English you should be fine.

[u/567432Gains]

You can pass it. It is mainly common sense stuff and some questions that are more specific to the different storage and transportation requirements associated with RPAL vs PAL

[u/MissJillian-]

It’s super easy. Take the course and read the book too you’ll be good 👍

[u/YourLoveLife]

It’s not hard. I honestly don’t even remember what was different in the rpal from the pal aside from needing to know how to manipulate different types of handguns and the different storage requirements.

[u/BatMiddle8126]

I don't think you will get an r/Pal seeing is all restricted guns are prohibited now. I got my PAL after 1 year, I had to call. My GF got hers in 2 months.

[u/RiskClassic889]

For info : in Quebec, 28 days exactly to get approved (RPAL, applied online), exactly 2 weeks to received it. Total 6 weeks.

[u/Goat424]

I’m a woman in my early 20s and I actually just passed my RPAL course about two weeks ago, going in with zero prior knowledge. It’s definitely doable.

My class was small (around 10 people). We worked through the handbook together, and the instructor was really clear about what to focus on for the exam—so you’re not expected to know everything, just understand the key concepts and safety rules.

After passing, I applied online. Once your two references submit their part, there’s a mandatory 28-day waiting period before your application is processed further. I’m currently in that waiting stage.

Overall, I wouldn’t stress too much. If you pay attention in the course and review the material they emphasize, you’ll be fine.

Message me if you need more details!

[u/sargentmyself]

I don't think there's any reason to have an RPAL anymore, but yes you can absolutely get one, it's not particularly difficult. Unless you have a criminal record or something

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