The following constitute the basic membership requirements for the Registered Professional Foresters Association of Nova Scotia, (RPFANS).

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS :

A person of the age of majority is entitled to become a member of the Association upon filing with the Registrar satisfactory proof that such person intends to engage in the practice of professional forestry in the Province, has tendered the fees and dues and completed the examinations, both as prescribed by the by-laws, and

(a) has obtained a degree from a recognized school, college or university whose curriculum of study in the science of forestry is approved by the Council and has completed a minimum of two years as a forester-in-training under the guidance, but not necessarily under the direct supervision, of a registered professional forester subsequent to graduation; or

(b) has obtained a degree from a recognized school, college or university whose curriculum of study in a science other than forestry is approved by the Council, has six years of experience in forestry, two of which are as a forestry candidate under the guidance, but not necessarily under the direct supervision, of a registered professional forester and has passed examinations as prescribed by the Council in core subject areas; or

(c) is a graduate of a forest technician school, has at least six years experience in forestry under the guidance, but not necessarily under the direct supervision, of a registered professional forester as a forest technician, two of which are as a forestry candidate, and has passed examinations prescribed by the Council in core subject areas; or

(d) has passed the examinations prescribed by the Council in core subject areas and fundamentals of forestry and has at least eight years of experience in forestry, four of which are as a forestry candidate under the guidance, but not necessarily under the direct supervision, of a registered professional forester; or

(e) is a registered member of an association of professional foresters that, in the opinion of the Council, is similarly constituted and has similar membership requirements to the Association and furnishes the Registrar with a certificate of membership in good standing in the other association, and has passed examinations as prescribed by the Council respecting the practice of professional forestry in the Province, paid the prescribed fees and meets any further requirements in the by-laws.

In all cases applications will be reviewed by the Registration Committee to ensure that the applicant meets the requirements as set out in the legislation and the by-laws of the Association. Therefore the foregoing provisions for eligibility should be taken as general guidance only.

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP:

The Registrar shall cause the name of any Member whose membership has been reinstated by Council or whose suspension has expired to be placed in the Register provided that at such time, such Member may be required to show proof of good character.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ENTITLEMENTS:

Each applicant for admission to the Association as an Active Member shall

(a) have reached the age of majority;

(b) be of good character;

(c) successfully completed the Core Requirements listed in Appendix B to these By- Laws;

(d) be sponsored by a Registered Professional Forester (RPF); and,

(e) when required to do so, show proof of these qualifications when application is made.

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:

Active Membership in the Association shall be in one of four (4) categories, namely:

(a) Regular Membership

To be considered for membership in this category, applicants must satisfy the requirements of the Act.

(b) Emeritus Membership

Emeritus Members shall be decided by resolution of the Council or by resolution of the Members. Granting of Emeritus Membership shall be in recognition of eminent service to the profession of forestry, or in recognition of the efforts to advance forestry in Nova Scotia. Successful candidates for Emeritus Membership shall have been an active Member in good standing and shall, to the satisfaction of the Council, have retired from active employment in forestry work.

(c) Non-Resident Membership

(i) An applicant for Non-Resident Membership shall be an active Member in good standing of the Association who no longer resides and works within the province of Nova Scotia. Membership in this category shall be terminated upon the member resuming residence or employment in Nova Scotia, and the member shall be eligible for reinstatement to Regular Membership without further qualifications; or,

(ii) An applicant for Non-Resident Membership shall apply to individuals who: are in good standing in their home province’s Registered Professional Forestry Association, reside outside of Nova Scotia, and who wish to use the initials of RPF in Nova Scotia.

(d) Retired Membership

An applicant for Retired Membership shall have been an active member in good standing of the Association and has retired from active employment in forestry work. Such membership shall be terminated if the member becomes active in forestry employment and the member is eligible for reinstatement as an active member without further qualifications.

(e) Transferring Member

To be eligible for this category of membership, the applicant must have requested a transfer of their membership from their home jurisdiction to RPFANS, and provided all required documentation and paid the prescribed fees. They are required to write the legislation and policy exam of RPFANS within 18 months of their acceptance as a member.

ENTITLEMENTS:

Active Members shall enjoy the benefits of those entitlements as are set forth in Table 1 of Appendix C. Only Active Members shall use the term Registered Professional Forester and/or the initials RPF.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP:

Each applicant for admission to the Association as an Associate Member shall be ofgood character and may be required to show proof of this qualification with their application. Persons who are recorded as Associate Members shall be entitled to receive publications of the Association and to attend membership meetings, but shall not be qualified to exercise any other right to which members are entitled by virtue of the Act or the By-Laws.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:

Associate Membership in the Association shall be in one of four (4) categories, namely:

(a) Forester-in-Training (F.I.T.) Membership:

Any person who has successfully completed the requirements of a Baccalaureate Degree Program in Forestry from an institution of learning accredited by the Council may apply for this category of membership. This category of membership may be retained for a maximum of three years and shall be terminated upon the person becoming eligible for Active Membership.

(b) Forestry Candidate (F.C.) Membership:

Any person interested in becoming a Registered Professional Forester in Nova Scotia and with approval by Council in accordance with section 7.1 (b), (c), and (d) of the Act may apply for membership as Forestry Candidate. This category of membership may be retained for a maximum of five years and shall be terminated upon a person becoming eligible for Active Membership.

(c) Student Membership:

Any person registered as full time undergraduate in a Baccalaureate Degree Program in Forestry, from an institution of learning accredited by the Council, may apply for this category of membership. Any person registered as a full time post graduate student in a program that shall enhance their Baccalaureate Degree in Forestry may apply for this category. The duration of this category shall be for the time that the person is registered as a full time student.

(d) Inactive Membership:

Any Member who has ceased to be employed in forestry work may apply for this category. Such membership shall be terminated if the Member becomes active in forestry employment and the member is eligible for reinstatement as an Active Member without further qualifications.

(e) Adjunct Forester Membership:

Any person who has successfully completed the requirements of a Baccalaureate Degree Program in Forestry from an institution of learning accredited by the Council and has actively engaged in the practice of professional forestry for five years, with a minimumof 2 of these 5 years, working in the Maritime Provinces, may apply for this category of membership. This category of membership may be retained for a maximum of three years and shall be terminated upon the person becoming eligible for Active membership.