Tuscola Conservation District
Defining “Qualified Forester”
Accepted Definitions and Processes to Achievement
Forest owners often search for help when they want to improve their land or make some income from a timber sale. Recent proposed legislation in Michigan attempts to define who may serve as a “qualified” forester. With that said, there are many forms of already accepted credentials for foresters. To help determine who is most qualified to help the forest landowner, it is helpful to understand some of the terms, as well as the requirements, that are necessary for each.
Forester - A forester is someone who has earned a bachelor's or higher, degree from a college or University which has been accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF - see below).
Forestry Technician - Forestry technicians often have a two-year degree (commonly called an associate degree) in forestry or a related natural resource area. They can provide a number of basic applied forestry services such as tree planting, slash treatment, and thinning. They can be a member of the Society of American Foresters.
Certified Forester (C.F.) - A certification available to individuals who have a bachelor degree, or higher, in forestry or a related degree with forestry coursework from a SAF accredited institution: have five-years or more of qualifying professional experience within the past 10 years, and can only include experience following conferral of the first forestry/ forestry related degree; adhere to state and federal forestry laws; and complete 60 hours of forestry professional development every three years. The program is administered by the Society of American Foresters. Fees: $260-$335 examination, $35-60 annual renewal, $50-$75 recertification.
The following will link to a list of SAF Certified Foresters in Michigan:
Consulting Forester - Someone with a bachelor degree, or higher, in forestry who provides forest management recommendations and related services for a fee (e.g., percentage of a timber sale, per hour, per acre, etc.). A consulting forester represents the best interests of the landowner who employs them and helps that landowners achieve their forest management goals.
The Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) is a national professional association of consulting foresters. Among other requirements, members must have a four-year degree from a recognized forestry program; go through a 1-3 year "candidate" period; complete a basic consulting forestry educational course; be principally employed as a consulting forester; have over five years of practical forestry experience; adhere to an ACF code of ethics; and complete specific, work-related continuing education credits every two years. Landowners may confirm whether a forester is a current member by contacting the Association of Consulting Foresters at: 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198. Phone: (301) 530-6795. Fees: $50 application, $375 annual dues.
The following links to the list of ACF Consulting Foresters in Michigan:
.
Licensed/Registered – Fifteen states currently require licensing and/or registration for practicing foresters. Michigan currently maintains a Michigan State Forester Registration. The title registration of Foresters is regulated by Article 21 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended. Article 21 defines a forester as a person who by reason of his or her knowledge of the natural sciences, mathematics and principles of forestry, acquired by forestry education and practical experience, is qualified to engage in the practice of professional forestry.
Education - An applicant for a Michigan Foresters Registration must provide educational transcripts documenting completion of a baccalaureate degree from a college or university and the completion of a forestry curriculum including course work totaling not less than 30 semester hours/45 quarter hours in forest biology, forestry in the social context, forest resources inventory, forest ecosystem management and forest resources administration.
Possession of a baccalaureate degree from a program accredited by the Society of American Foresters shall constitute prima facie evidence of completion of the educational requirement for a forester's registration.
Professional Experience - An applicant for registration must provide documentation of not less than 2 years of experience in professional forestry work by way of 3 Experience Verification Forms from professional foresters who can attest to the applicant's experience.
It is important to note that the Office of Regulatory Reinvention (ORR) in Michigan has included in its recommendations the complete deregulation of the occupation of “Forester”.
In its report on its recommendations the ORR felt that Article 21 lacks a clear scope of professional practice by foresters, thereby creating registration without any regulatory responsibility. And that, given the lack of professional responsibility and the low volume of registrants (226), it appears that there is very little protection of public safety accomplished through the regulation of this occupation. The registration of foresters, the ORR feels, does not provide a public health and safety benefit sufficient to warrant use of public resources to regulate them.
With that said the recommendation of the ORR is just that at this point in time. The report makes recommendations for rule and statutory changes, however, the implementation of any such changes would be through the rulemaking process for administrative rule changes and through the legislative process for changes to statute.
To receive a list of Registered Foresters in Michigan you currently can make a request on-line from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) for a $15 fee:
foresters then ‘click’ on “Purchase License Lists and Data”.
Technical Service Provider for Forestry – Someone who is registered with the USDA to provide technical assistance related to USDA Farm Bill forest practice implementation specifically. This document lists all categories and the options for certification within each qualifying category. One only needs to meet the criteria for ONE option group to satisfy the certification requirements for a category. However, one must meet ALL of the criteria within the selected option group.
Forestry Option 1 - Certification
Certified Forester: Certification by at least one of the following: 1) Be a full-member and certified with Consulting Foresters of America, Incorporated (ACF), or 2) Certified Forester by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).
Forestry License: A current Forestry License as required by law in the state of practice, if applicable.
Forestry Option 2 - Experience
Forestry Experience: 5 years experience and knowledge and knowledge in planning, design, layout, inspection, or managing forestry practices associated with this category.
Forestry License: A current Forestry License as required by law in the state of practice, if applicable.
Forestry References: Provide two locations or customer references where technical service has been provided that can verify your experience and proficiency planning, designing, installation/ layout, and checkout of Forestry/Agroforestry practices.
Forestry Option 3 - Forestry Education: Bachelor or higher level degree in forestry or related plant science and 1 year experience and knowledge successfully planning, design, layout, or managing Forestry or agroforestry practices associated with this category.
Forestry License: A current Forestry License as required by law in the state of practice, if applicable.
Forestry References: Provide two locations or customer references where technical service has been provided that can verify your experience and proficiency planning, designing, installation/layout, and checkout of Forestry/Agroforestry practices.
To find a technical service provider for forestry you may go to the USDA NRCS TechReg site: . Once there, select Michigan, the county you would like to check for coverage and then choose “Forestry” from the Category list.
Michigan Certified Forest Stewardship Plan Writer – The Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and funded by the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry Program. In order to qualify for cost share funds under a FSP grant, a landowner must work a person who is listed as a Certified Forest Stewardship Plan Writer (Note: Required under the Forestry Title of the 1990 Federal Farm Bill to become a certified plan writer under the Forest Stewardship Program. Issued under authority of Part 501 of Act 451, P.A. 1994, as amended, and the US Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, CFDA 10.664.).
Minimum qualifications to apply for and maintain certification as a plan writer:
1. Have a four-year degree in Forestry or related Natural Resource field OR have a two-year degree in Forestry or related Natural Resource field with approved experience.
2. Maintain six hours of approved continuing education in natural resource management yearly and submit documentation to the Forest Stewardship Coordinator.
3. Present yourself in a professional manner in both appearance and conduct, and provide service to your clients in a timely manner.
Getting Certified
1. Send current resume to Forest Stewardship Coordinator
2. Attend the initial six-hour training on the Michigan Forest Stewardship Program, offered annually through the Forest Stewardship Coordinator or as needed by your local DNR Service Forester
3. Submit a signed Memorandum of Understanding between the plan writer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
4. For each year AFTER the initial year, a Certified Plan Writer must obtain at least six hours of continuing education training during that fiscal year.
To find a Certified Forest Stewardship Plan Writer that will service a county, go to: and ‘click’ on the county of interest.
The Forest Stewardship Program has approximately $100,000 for plan writing grants this fiscal year. Grants will expire on September 30, 2012. Please submit completed management plans to the MDNR Service Forester for review and approval prior to September 15, 2012 to be guaranteed payment under the FY2012 grant.
DISCUSSION
As reviewed, many of the requirements to obtain “status” in any of the above categories are almost duplicative. Excluding the forestry technician, all require at least a bachelor degree in forestry or a forestry related curriculum. The differences primarily lay in the amount of experience required, the types of references and whether or not one must pass a required exam. The fees associated with “membership” range from $100-$400. Alone this is not significant. If, however, a forester feels they must achieve multiple certifications to reach a broader base of clientele, it can add up in both time and money.
In general, most if not all states acknowledge credentials of a Certified Forester or Consulting Forester. The latter is perhaps more rigorous in its requirements overall but both maintain high standards and have a process in place to accept complaints and review their members’ performance.
The primary reason one would become a Technical Service Provider or Certified Forest Stewardship Plan writer is because the programs that drive the funding for cost share and technical support to landowners require it. Outside of the programs they serve, the title in and of itself means little, but if a forester wants to provide service to a landowner and the landowner wants to avail themselves of these funding opportunities, the forester must jump through the hoop of applying to the USDA or MDNR to qualify to provide that service. As these programs are driven through federal dollars, State legislation will not change these requirements. If the forester is already a Certified or Consulting Forester it is only a matter of making application with those particular credentials in hand and it becomes yet another necessary hoop. Nevertheless, as noted, the qualifications are similar to those of the other categories.
The future status of a Michigan Registered Forester is uncertain. The recommendation is to deregulate the occupation of forester altogether because there is no true regulatory back-up to registration process. It would seem that the registration adds little to certainty of professional standards in forestry and costs the State directly to administer the program.
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