RPAL upgrade/application question.

[u/Officialtopperharley]

I got my PAL ~20 years ago and only now decided to upgrade to get the Restricted license. I finished the Restricted course and had a question regarding section G of the application. My instructor told me I could likely just leave Section G 20. A and C blank. I’m not sure if that’s the correct advice.

A) have you passed the Canadian Forearms Safety Course? Yes, No, year, proof.

B) have you been certified by the Chief Forearms Officer…? Yes, No, proof

Forgive my ignorance, but can I leave these blank and submit my new R application? Or will it be declined?

I don’t have any documentation for either of these.

Thanks for any feedback that can help me sorry this out.

[u/mailloux13]

You should at least check yes for whatever course you did 20 years ago, they keep all test results on file and should be able to match your request with what they have in their record.

This is what I did last year and it went through without any problems.

[u/Officialtopperharley → u/mailloux13]

So checking yes without providing proof wasn’t an issue? Thanks!

[u/PinkLincoln00 → u/Officialtopperharley]

If you call them they’ll have your course and the date on file to fill it in.

[u/Officialtopperharley → u/PinkLincoln00]

Thanks!

[u/Savings-Garbage-628]

I upgraded after having a year of PAL, so I still had my original CFSC paperwork. I filled mine in, but I would recommend confirming with the CFO number. I would think that you could leave it blank considering they can see you have a PAL already, thus clearly have passed.

[u/BuddyGuy17]

Whats the benefit to upgrading ?

[u/CrumblingCanada → u/BuddyGuy17]

Nothing currently except a couple short barrel shotguns. But it’s good to up RPAL numbers, and it’ll be very useful if things are ever reversed so you don’t have to scramble to get inline for rpal licensing

[u/BuddyGuy17 → u/CrumblingCanada]

Hopefully you’re right. Im ganna hold out till things change.

[u/Officialtopperharley → u/CrumblingCanada]

Exactly this. Front of the line if things change.

[u/Eyeronick → u/BuddyGuy17]

Pistol shenanigans are becoming a thing if you live in certain provinces. Lots of movement here in Alberta with local clubs.

[u/JJJJJ2119]

When I upgraded, I called and asked to make sure they had it in file. Then marked yes and wrote “on file” in the proof attachment box and it was accepted.

[u/InitiativeStill2457]

If you don’t have your results, simply write ‘on file’ in the proof of completion box. Instructors are required to give one copy of your test results to the CFP, one to you, and one for their own records.

[u/handen]

A is correct. B is N/A unless you've specifically taken training offered by the CFO.

I sent mine in a few weeks ago and they sent it back. I didn't realize I was supposed to sign the back of one of my London Drugs photos, so they sent me another handy form to fill out to correct for that. I thought I had crossed all of my T's and dotted all of my I's but I still missed that part. Don't forget to read everything!

[u/PinkLincoln00]

For section G the instructions are on the first few pages. For most it will be no.

[u/coniferslav]

Your instructor submits your proof to the CFP so you don't need to attach it. You're in the system. I did the same. I did the course in 2016 and just applied for my PAL last year. No proof attached. There was no issues.

[u/No_Armadillo2253]

If you've already got your PAL, then it's on file and you don't need to provide proof of passing that course. They already know. Especially if you've had it for 20 years and have most likely renewed it 4-5 times already.

I passed my initial PAL course in 1998 when I was 12. Upgraded to RPAL in 2014 and didn't send in any paperwork proving I passed the course in 1998. As long as I had decent references and wasn't a nut job, they were more than happy to give me my new license.

The government is pretty inept. But they're not THAT dumb.

[u/Officialtopperharley → u/No_Armadillo2253]

Appreciate it. Thanks!

[u/Eyeronick]

Submitted my upgrade 2 months ago. I had my paperwork though so I just sent a copy. No issues.

[u/ClemementineSweetie]

You can call them and they can tell you the date they have. When I upgraded I called, and then just kind of wrote in the box "on file" and the year and left the proof attached box blank. Didn't seem to cause any issues for me.

Edit: additional context... I had my PAL for like 14 years or something around there when I upgraded so they do keep records going back a long ways that they can see.