In 1994 a national program of Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) was developed for forestry professionals in Canada in consultation with members of the Canadian Federation of Professional Foresters Associations and the Canadian Institute of Forestry’s Board of Directors. The CFE program is based on the idea that continuing education is a professional responsibility, if not a legal requirement, due to rapid changes occurring in forest management and technology, particularly in relationship to the environment and society. Our Association has adopted this format of CFE and it became mandatory in 2003.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Maintain, advance, and broaden the knowledge and skills of all forestry professionals and practitioners.
• Speed the transfer of new technology and concepts.
• Recognize those forestry professionals who are successful in CFE and professional development.

PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATION

To obtain a CFE Certificate, applicants must complete 150 credit hours of approved activities within a three-year period. The three-year period for completion of the requirements begin on the first of October annually.

Approved activities are described in three broad categories. Credit weight varies with the type of activity. Although many different activities are acceptable, the system requires focus on Category 1, Structured Learning, by stipulating a minimum of 60 credit hours in the three years for that category, and by setting maximum credit hours for the other categories. All 150 credit  hours may be obtained in Category 1, but participants are encouraged to participate in other activities.

Credit may be claimed for course work taken as part of a degree or diploma program as long as the credits are obtained following full-time professional employment and are not required for membership in the member organizations.

Individuals are required to keep their own records with the Personal Activity Record. Applications must be accompanied by a Personal Activity Form and related supporting documents for all activities claimed. Since applications are not returned, participants should make copies for their personal records. In the process of reviewing applications and evaluating Credit hours, the CFE Committee recognizes the professional integrity of individual members and their Code of Ethics.

CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS AND EVALUATIONS

Category 1: Structured Learning (60 credit hours minimum)

Typically university or technical school courses, but also including study by correspondence, seminars, short courses, and workshops that meet five criteria: organized program of learning, primarily related to the career and practice of forestry, conducted by forestry experts, suitable education setting, and applicable to forestry practitioners in general. Other activities not specifically related to forestry can be included, such as computer science, personnel management, public speaking, and others which benefit an individual in their profession or position. Formal instruction and field trips would be credited as three credit hours per hour of instruction. Contact hours do not include lunch breaks. The CFE application must be accompanied by course outlines or program agendas.

Category 2: Self-Improvement: (90 credit hours maximum)

In three areas:

1. one credit hour for each hour in attendance at business meetings of the RPFANS, CIF-NS, NSFTA, or other forestry related organization (technical sessions of these organizations would qualify in Category 1); and
2. one credit hour per hour of reading, viewing, or listening to related technical forestry material. Most members are familiar with The Forestry Chronicle and the Canadian Journal of Forest Research and their American counterparts, the Journal of Forestry and Forest Science. Many sources of technical and scientific articles pertaining to the practice of forestry can be included such as publications from the CPPA, FERIC, and government agencies such as CFS.
3. preparation time for the legislation and policy exam will be eligible for 15 credit hours.

Category 3: Professional Contributions: (90 credit hour maximum)

In three major activities:

1. the development, preparation, and presentation of course work in an instructional capacity under Category 1 activities, but only for work beyond normal duties or job description; 3 credit hours per hour of presentation in courses [but only 2:1 given for material which the instructor gives without updating or original preparation];
2. the preparation, writing, and publication of forestry or related subject matter, but only for work beyond normal duties or job description; 15 credit hours for each publication requiring technical review and 5 credit hours for a substantial article appearing in a magazine, journal, or newspaper; and
3. holding an elected or appointed office or active committee assignment in the RPFANS, CIF-NS, NSFTA, or other allied professional organization; 10 credit hours per year for holding office or chairing an assignment, and 5 credit hours per year for active committee membership.

Official criteria regarding eligible credits and CFE forms are available through the link below. The forms may be used for keeping track of your hours or for documenting activities which do not otherwise have supporting documents. The CFE Application file also has information on how to correctly calculate hours and fill out the form. Your representatives on the CFE Committee can be contacted through RPFANS email. The forms in the attached link MUST be completed when submitting your CFE report.

Click on the link for    CFE Details 2012