Section 14.04 - License, Application and Requirements(1)License Required. As of June 30, 1999, no person shall hold him or herself out as a forester and engage in the practice of forestry in the Commonwealth, unless licensed in accordance with 302 CMR 14.04. A license shall not be required for persons who provide services in their capacity as tree wardens, arborists, utility foresters and urban foresters, and other like practices. If, however, these persons engage in the practice of forestry as defined in 302 CMR 14.02, and hold themselves out as foresters, they are required to have a Forester License.(2)Education and Experience Requirement. To become a Licensed Forester, an applicant shall demonstrate an understanding of the following core subject areas of forestry as they apply to forestry in Massachusetts: Forest Biology/Ecology; Forest Resource Measurements; forest Resource Management, including silviculture and timber harvesting; and, Forest Resource Policy and Administration. Not less than one year of work of a professional or technical nature must occur within the three years preceding the date of license application. The minimum education and experience requirements for a Licensed Forester shall be: (a) Successful completion of a Bachelors of Science (BS) degree from a SAF-accredited professional forestry degree program, or a program approved by the Director of State Parks, and which included courses in each of the following areas: 1. Forest Biology/Ecology;2. Forest Resource Measurements;3. Forest Resource Management including, but not limited to, silviculture and timber harvesting; and4. Forest Resource Policy and Administration; plus three years of forestry work experience of a character that prepared the applicant to practice forestry competently. At least two of the three years of work experience must be experience of a professional nature, and up to one year may be work experience of a technical nature provided that not less than one year of work of a professional or technical nature must occur within the three years preceding the date of license application; or
(b) Successful completion of a Masters degree (MS or MF) in forestry or related post-baccalaureate degree, which includes at least 30 credit hours, and courses in each of the following areas:1. Forest Biology/Ecology;2. Forest Resource Measurements;3. Forest Resource Management, including, but not limited to, silviculture and timber harvesting;4. Forest Resource Policy and Administration; plus three years of forestry work experience of a character that prepared the applicant to practice forestry competently. At least two of the three years of work experience must be experience of a professional nature, and up to one year may be work experience of a technical nature provided that not less than one year of work of a professional or technical nature must occur within the three years preceding the date of license application.
(c) Successful completion of an Associates degree in a SAF-recognized technical forestry education program, or a technical forestry education program approved by the Director, plus five years of forestry work experience of a character that has prepared the applicant to practice forestry competently. At least four of the five years of work experience must be experience of a professional nature, and up to one year may be work experience of a technical nature provided that not less than one year of work of a professional or technical nature must occur within the three years preceding the date of license application.(d) Any additional forestry or natural resource management education at an accredited institution beyond the minimum requirements described in 302 CMR 14.04(2)(a), (b), and (c) may count for no more than one year of work experience.(3)License Application and Approval.(a) To become a Licensed Forester, an applicant shall submit to the Director of State Parks and Recreation, a completed application on a form developed by the Director and accompanied by the required license fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.(b) The Director shall approve or deny an application for a license within 90 days of receiving all required application materials; and provide each qualified applicant with a license. Applications not acted upon within 90 days of receipt of all required application materials shall be deemed approved.(4)Appeal of a License Denial. If an applicant's application is denied, he or she may appeal in writing to the Director of State Parks and Recreation within 30 days of the receipt of notification of license denial. The Director shall make a decision on an appeal within 90 days of receipt of the appeal.(5)Licensing Fees. The initial application fee is $100.00, and the annual renewal fee is $50.00. Fees may be adjusted by the Director to sustain the Forester Licensing program.(6)License Renewal.(a) Not less than 30 days before the expiration of his or her license, a Licensed Forester shall submit a renewal application accompanied by the required fee to the Director of State Parks and Recreation.(b) If within 60 days subsequent of the date of license expiration any Licensed Forester fails to renew his or her license, he or she shall not engage in the practice of forestry until a new license is issued. Each Licensed Forester seeking the renewal of his or her license shall comply with the Director's policy on continuing education for Licensed Foresters.(c) Any Licensed Forester who fails to renew his or her license or fails to meet the continuing education requirements of the Director of State Parks and Recreation's policy shall be ineligible for application for a new license for a period of 12 months from the date of license expiration as depicted on the license. For any Licensed Forester who is called to, or serves on active duty with any branch of the armed forces for a period greater than 90 consecutive days during a license year, the CFE requirement for that year will be waived upon written request. Upon written request by any Licensed Forester, for good cause shown and documented, other service such as Peace Corps, extended jury duty, incapacitation due to illness or injury, the Director may waive the CFE requirement for that year.