Registered Professional Forester (RPF)

Exam

Not reported

Education

Not reported

Experience

Not reported

Background check

Not reported

Required by persons practicing as professional foresters for state agencies, private industry, and consulting firms. License not necessary for persons working for the federal government on federal lands. Fees: Application: $200; License (annual): $175; License (renewal) $350. The renewal fee for registration and/or certification as a forestry specialist shall be waived when a license or certificate is issued less than ninety (90) days before the date on which it will expire. Examination Frequency: April and October of each year. Exam Locations: Shingle Springs, Eureka and Redding. Experience Requirement: Seven years of experience in forestry work, at least three years of which shall have been in charge of forestry work or forestry work under the direct supervision of a person registered or qualified for registration under provisions of the Public Resources Code. The educational background of a Registered Professional Forester usually includes at least a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in a forestry-related field. A BS in Forestry may be substituted for four of the required seven years of work experience necessary to qualify for the licensing exam. Many also have a Master’s or Ph.D. in Forestry, in combination with a BA or BS in a field other than forestry. This combination can also be used in lieu of four years of forestry work experience. Average Time to Process Application: Approximately 3 months. Renewal Period: Biannually. Licenses expire on July 1 of each alternating year. Authority: California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 10, Article 14; Public Resources Code, Sections 750-783.