Online News Vol. 2, Issue 1 |
Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters |
Update from the Director of the Professional Licensing Boards: For the new graduates, we now have 32 on-line applications available for those applying for their first license with us. This enables some new graduates to go on-line, register, apply for licensure and pay their fees. This paperless system allows the staff to process applications much quicker to the benefit of the applicant who can receive their license and go to work much faster than in the past. We are planning more on-line applications for the near future. As we begin the year 2010, we will continue to offer more services on-line and strive to improve our processing times. For license holders, please keep your personal information up to date and accurate so our transactions with you can be faster and more accurate.
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The Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters was created by legislation enacted in 1951 for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating those who engage in the practice of professional forestry. In order to carry out this charge, the Board has the authority to adopt rules, set standards for licensure, adopt mandatory standards of professional conduct, and investigate and discipline unauthorized, negligent or incompetent practice. The Board licenses registered foresters. Requirements for licensure as a registered forester include education, experience, and passage of an examination. The Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters consists of six members: five registered foresters and one consumer member. Typically, the Board holds quarterly business meetings. Board meetings are open to the public, with the exception of executive session, in which confidential matters such as complaints, disciplinary items, and applications are discussed. Minutes from the Board meetings can be found on the Board’s website: www.sos.ga.gov/plb/foresters. |
Board Members: John Britt, Chairman |
Board Staff: Tanja Battle |
2010 Meetings: February 9, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. |
Number of Active Licensees: Forester: 1,198 |
Actions Taken by the Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters at its August Meeting November: The Board voted to ratify the issuance of two Registered Forester licenses by reinstatement and one Registered Forester license by reciprocity.
The Board voted to adopt the following rules:
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Message from the Chairman: Continuing Education may not be as difficult as you think. The end of December in each odd numbered year marks the expiration of all Forester licenses in Georgia. In order to lawfully continue to practice forestry for the public, licensees must renew their licenses prior to the expiration date. A requirement for license renewal is to affirm that the necessary continuing education credits have been obtained. As a registered forester, I often hear comments about the difficulty and costs of obtaining continuing education credits. I believe that many find it difficult to obtain twelve hours of credit every two years because they do not fully understand the regulations. There are several categories of acceptable credits that can be gained in ways other than attending seminars or workshops. For example, credits can be earned by serving on Society of American Forester or Association of Consulting Forester committees, reading journals, writing popular or technical forestry related articles. This article is intended to clarify Board rules on continuing education requirements and ways a licensee can earn continuing education credits. Six hours of continuing education credits must be in category 1 or category 2, one of which must be training in professional ethics. Category 1 includes any organized course work or activity in forestry or forestry-related subjects. Category 2 includes any organized course work or activity in subjects not directly related to forestry, but which are professionally beneficial. To qualify, credits in these two categories must be offered or endorsed by a Board approved provider; currently Board approved providers are: professional associations, educational institutions, federal, state, or local government agencies. I suspect that most people think category 1, or maybe even category 2, when they think about continuing education. However, there are four other categories in which one can obtain up to six credit hours. Categories 3 and 4 require above average subject expertise. Category 3 is the development, preparation, and presentation of forestry-related courses, at an instructional level where attendees could obtain category 1 continuing education credits. Credit for category 3 accrues at the rate of two credit hours for each hour of presentation. Category 4 is the writing and publication of forestry-related articles. Fifteen credit hours are earned for each peer-reviewed article and five credit hours earned for popular magazine or trade journal articles. In either case, the work involved in these categories must be beyond the nature of the individual’s normal duties. Up to six continuing education hours can be claimed in each of these categories. Category 5 is probably the most overlooked opportunity to earn continuing education credits. Termed self-improvement in forestry, credits accrue at the rate of one credit hour for each hour of activity, and up to three hours in this category can be used each renewal period. Activities include attending public meetings of forestry related boards or commissions and self study through written and audio-visual materials on technical forestry subjects that would not necessarily qualify for category 1 credit. In other words, one can read a forestry journal or attend a Forester Board of Registration meeting and claim three hours credit. I am in my fifth year on the Board and in that time can recall only one person attending a Board meeting as a visitor. By the way, the next scheduled Board meeting is November 18, 2009, 9:30 am at the Board offices in Macon. Category 6 is the reward for those who serve. Up to three credits hours can be claimed if one holds an elected or appointed office or an active committee assignment in forestry or allied professional organizations. Credit accrues at the rate of three hours per biennium for holding office or chairing an assignment or two hours per biennium for active committee membership. The intent of continuing forestry education is to help protect the public by keeping practicing professionals current on technical and forest policy issues. Of the Southeastern States with registration laws, Georgia requires fewer continuing education hours than most. I believe that continuing education makes all of us better at what we do. |
More Forestry Information Update on New Examination Method: As reported in an earlier newsletter as well as in a recent article in Georgia Forestry Today the examination method used by the Board is about to change. The current state budget crisis prompted the state to outsource all board examinations. The Foresters Board decided to use the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Certified Forester (CF) exam supplemented by one-hour Georgia exam. At this time, the state has signed a contract with SAF to use their exam. There are plans to empanel a group of Georgia foresters who hold both RF and CF certifications to create the Georgia supplemental exam from the bank of questions formerly used by the Georgia RF exam. We are hopeful that this process will be completed during the 4th quarter of 2009, thus allowing exams to resume by year-end or early in 2010. We welcome your input and ask for your patience as this process takes place. As more details become available about exam availability, locations, pricing, and procedures, these will be shared with the public via future newsletters and updates to the Board website. Complete Your Continuing Education, 2009 is a Renewal Year: Each RF must renew their license at the end of every odd-numbered year, thus 2009 is one of those renewal years. To renew, each RF must complete 12 hours of continuing forestry education. A minimum of 6 hours must be in SAF Category 1 or 2 and at least one hour must be in professional ethics. Additional details can be found at the Board website under the Board Rules section. These requirements change slightly in 2010 as the item below discusses. Keep in mind that the Board selects a sample of RFs who renew each year whom they audit by asking for documentation of continuing education. As such, we recommend that you retain copies of documents showing your attendance in case you are selected for audit. Continuing Education Changes Effective 1/1/2010: Earlier this year, the Board posted proposed changes to our continuing education rules that reflected recent changes by SAF, recent and expected changes in the methods to deliver continuing education, and issues frequently dealt with by the Board during continuing education audits. During and after the official public comment period, the Board has received almost no comments opposing the proposed changes. As a result, the Board will likely approve the changes listed below at their November meeting. • The Board will recognize continuing education that is classified according to the current SAF Categories 1, 2, or 3 or future categories as defined by SAF. |
License Renewals: Licenses expire as follows: Foresters – December 31 of odd numbered years It is illegal to practice forestry with an expired license. How do I renew my license? You may renew your license on the Professional Licensing Board website with a credit card. Click on the “License Renewal” icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked a series of questions including whether you have been convicted or received a board sanction since your last renewal, whether you have completed your continuing education requirements, and whether you are a U.S. citizen. Renewing your license via the website is the fastest way to renew your license. The Professional Licensing Boards do not mail paper renewals unless requested. A paper renewal form may be requested by the licensee by calling the Board office at (478) 207-2440, or submitting a written request. Licensees may also call our automated system at (404) 463-1100 and request a paper renewal form using their personal identification number included in their renewal notice. Disciplinary Issues: The Board addresses these issues on a case-by-case basis and takes these matters very seriously applying sanctions to those who violate the Georgia Forestry Practice Act, Board rules, and policies. It is important that licensees review all laws, rules and policies that affect their profession. These may be found on the Board’s website at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/foresters. All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters website. Grounds for denial, suspension, revocation of a license, or other disciplinary actions may be found at O.C.G.A. § 12-6-57 and at O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19, which can be found on the Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters website. |
Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters Complaints Process Information: The Georgia General Assembly created the Georgia State Board of Registration for Foresters to regulate the licensing and practice of forestry. The responsibility of administering the laws in O.C.G.A. § 12-6 is given to the Board, whose members are appointed by the Governor. The Board determines if applicants meet licensure requirements, promulgates rules, and considers complaints against licensees and allegations of unlicensed practice. The process for disposing of complaints is as follows: Complaint Form: Complaints must be reported to and received by the Board in writing. Written complaints may be submitted to the Board office or on-line at http://sos.georgia.gov/myverification/submitcomplaint.aspx. Documents received in connection with a complaint will not be returned. The complaint must contain sufficient factual evidence indicating a clear violation of Georgia law or Board rules. Investigations: The Board gives serious consideration to all complaints. Further investigative action may be taken. Should you file a complaint, you may be contacted by a Board inspector or investigator for additional information. Investigative files are considered confidential for any purpose other than a hearing before the Board. However, the Board is authorized to release such records to another enforcement agency or lawful licensing authority. Notification Process: While the investigation is ongoing, the Board is unable to discuss the status of a complaint with anyone, including the complainant. When the Board has completed the case, the complainant will be notified in writing of the Board’s actions. All public disciplinary actions will be reflected in the Board minutes which may be found on the Board’s website. |
Frequently Asked Questions: A list of frequently asked questions may be found on the Board’s website. If you cannot find an answer to your question, you may contact the Board office at (478) 207-2440. |