Please Note: There are amendments to the Wildlife Act related to guide outfitting that take effect June 15, 2009. Please see to the following Questions and Answers document for more information.
There are approximately 245 guide outfitters in British Columbia at present. Each guide outfitter is licenced to guide resident and non-resident hunters in an exclusive guide area with clearly defined and legally described boundaries. The guide areas vary considerably in size and
availability of big game species. The guide outfitter licence is issued annually. The responsibility for issuing guide licences and guiding territory certificates lies
with the Regional Fish and Wildlife Managers within the Wildlife Management Regions in the province.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met to proceed with an application for a Guide Outfitter Licence:
Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada (i.e. a landed immigrant).
Must satisfy the Regional Fish and Wildlife Manager, within the region you intend to acquire a guide area, that you have a working knowledge of the Wildlife Act and the Commercial Activities Regulation, B.C. Reg. 338/82, Division 1, Guides. This is done through the successful
completion of the Guide Outfitter exam.
A guide outfitter shall carry, in full force and effect, public liability insurance in an amount of not less than $2, 000 000 that is, applicable to his guiding business, in effect at the time of application for an annual licence, and effective for the term of the annual licence period or for the period for which he has paid an annual fee.
Must have permission of the guiding territory certicate holder(s).
To be licenced as an assistant guide outfitter in British Columbia, the following criteria must be met (an exam is not required):
Must be nineteen (19) years of age or older.
Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada (i.e. a landed immigrant).
Must have a guide outfitter willing to employ you to guide hunters within the guiding territory under his or her jurisdiction.
Guide Outfitter Exam
The Guide Outfitter examination is a screening tool. A mark of eighty percent (80%) is required to pass the exam. However, as stated within the Wildlife Act, the Regional Manager must be satisfied that the applicant has a working knowledge of the Wildlife Act. This may require further
consultation in addition to the exam.
There is no fee associated with the exam. The exam is 2.5 hours in length and is made up of sixty-five (65) multiple choice questions that may cover a number of topics. Questions within the exam are intended to test the applicant’s knowledge of the Wildlife Act and Commercial
Activities Regulation.
Study material can be accessed electronically through the internet or in hard copy:
hard copy: Government Agent Office or wherever freshwater angling licences are sold
You may schedule an examination through your local Government Agent’s Office.
Steps to Obtaining a NEW Guide Outfitter Licence
Review the basic eligibility criteria, to ensure you meet the requirements.
Write the Guide Outfitter Exam. If you do not meet the eighty percent (80%) requirement to pass the exam, the exam can be re-written a second and third time, if necessary.
When you pass the exam, contact the Regional Manager, Recreational Fisheries and Wildlife Programs, within the region you intend to guide. The Regional Manager will schedule an appointment with you to review your exam and discuss the next steps to becoming a
licenced guide outfitter.
If the Regional Manager is satisfied that you have a working knowledge of the Wildlife Act, and you have met the other applicable criteria, the following is required in order to proceed with the licencing process:
Victoria: 250-387-2928
Toll Free in B.C.: 1-866-433-7272 (1-866-433-PASB)
Outside of B.C.: 1-250-387-2928
And press 2 and 4 to bypass the telephone tree
Fax: 250-387-1814
Sample Exam Questions
When may a Conservation Officer stop and search a motor vehicle, private or chartered aircraft, boat or other conveyance?
What type of offence is committed by a person who resists or obstructs a Conservation Officer from carrying out their lawful duty?
Under what circumstances could a client take just the head of a trophy sheep or goat and not the edible portions?
What are the edible portions of big game?
Steps to RENEW your Guide Outfitter Licence
Ensure you have submitted your reports from the previous year.
The following is required in order to proceed with the licencing process:
Returning Guide Outfitters are required to submit their applications by May 31st of the calendar year in which they intend to guide. Late applications will be accepted; however, an administrative fee of $25 will be charged in addition to the regular licence fee.
Victoria: 250-387-2928
Toll Free in B.C.: 1-866-433-7272 (1-866-433-PASB)
Outside of B.C.: 1-250-387-2928
And press 2 and 4 to bypass the telephone tree
Fax: 250-387-1814
Steps to Obtaining an Assistant Guide Outfitter Licence
Basic Eligibility Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order to proceed with an application for an Assistant Guide Outfitter Licence:
Must be nineteen (19) years of age or older;
Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada (i.e. a landed immigrant); and,
Must be employed by a licenced Guide Outfitter.
Steps to obtain your Assistant Guide Outfitter Licence
The following is required in order to proceed with the licencing process:
Steps to Obtaining or Renewing a Guiding Territory Certificate
A Regional Manager may issue a guiding territory certificate to a person who, or to a group of persons, each of whom, (a) is a citizen of Canada or permanent resident of Canada, (b) 19 years of age or older, and (c) has other qualifications prescribed by regulation.
Instructions on how to complete the above application. [PDF 26KB]
There is no charge for obtaining or renewing a guide territory certificate.
Steps to Transferring a Guiding Territory Certificate
A Regional Manager may issue a guiding territory certificate to a person who, or to a group of persons, each of whom, (a) is a citizen of Canada or permanent resident of Canada, (b) 19 years of age or older, and (c) has other qualifications prescribed by regulation.
Instructions on how to complete the above application. [PDF 26KB]
Please include a payment of $500.00 (cheque payable to the Minister of Finance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find out the status of my guide outfitter or assistant guide licence application?
Please call PASB at 1-866-433-7272 (press 2 then 4 to bypass the phone tree) or in Victoria (only) at 387-2928.
How can I get some guide declaration forms?
Please call PASB at 1-866-433-7272 (press 2 then 4 to bypass the phone tree) or in Victoria (only) at 387-2928.
Who do I contact regarding how to become a guide outfitter, obtaining a list of guide outfitters operating in B.C. and further questions regarding guide outfitting?
Please contact the Guide Officer in Victoria at 250-387-9725. A list of guides operating in B.C. is also available at
Online copy[PDF 830KB].
Do I require anything different to operate in a provincial park?
Yes. You require a Park Use Permit (P.U.P.) to operate your business. Please contact the PASB Parks Department for more information at 1-866-433-7272 (press 3 to bypass the phone tree).
