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 and allows the guide outfitter to operate a guiding business. Without the licenced guide outfitter there can be no business. The responsibility for issuing guide licences and guide outfitter certificates lies
with the Regional Fish and Wildlife Managers within the eight (8) 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 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 held assistant guide licences in British Columbia for a total of 24 months and have actively guided during that time (or have an authorization from a Regional Manager of the fish and wildlife program, exempting you from this requirement, as provided for in section 100(2)
Wildlife Act amended by section 24 Wildlife Amendment Act 1999).
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.
Must have public liability insurance applicable to your business of not less than $2,000,000.
Must have access to a guide area.
To be licenced as an assistant guide (game) 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 in his or her area and 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, Fish and Wildlife Recreation and Allocation Branch, within the region you intend to acquire a guide area. 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:
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 $50 will be charged in addition to the regular licence fee.
How do I find out the status of my guide outfitter or assistant game licence application?
Please call PASB at 1-866-433-7272 (press 2 then 4 to bypass the phone tree) or in Victoria (only) at 952-0932.
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 952-0932.
Who do I contact regarding how to become a guide outfitter, obtaining a guide outfitter territory, 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).
