§5515. Forester

1.  Scope of practice.  A forester license entitles the holder to engage in the practice of forestry.

[PL 2001, c. 261, §4 (NEW).]

2.  Professional qualification.  The applicant must demonstrate compliance with the professional qualifications as set forth in section 5514, subsection 2.

[PL 2001, c. 261, §4 (NEW).]

3.  Internship.  An applicant for a forester license shall complete an internship as follows.

A. An applicant with an associate degree or no degree shall demonstrate 48 months of forestry experience as an intern forester or as provided in this paragraph pursuant to rules adopted by the board. Notwithstanding the licensure requirements under this subchapter, an applicant with an associate degree may earn up to 12 months of forestry experience toward the 48-month requirement prior to the issuance of an intern forester license if:

(1) The forestry experience is obtained after the applicant has completed the first year of an associate degree program and prior to graduation from that program and is under the supervision of a forester registered with the board pursuant to subsection 10, paragraph B; or

(2) The applicant can demonstrate lawful prior professional forestry practice in another jurisdiction.

An applicant under this paragraph must complete the 48 months of experience within 6 calendar years prior to application.   [PL 2013, c. 527, §2 (RPR); PL 2013, c. 527, §9 (AFF).]

B. An applicant with a bachelor's degree or higher shall demonstrate 24 months of forestry experience as an intern forester or as provided in this paragraph pursuant to rules adopted by the board. An applicant with a bachelor's degree or higher may earn up to 12 months of forestry experience toward the 24-month requirement prior to the issuance of an intern forester license if:

(1) The forestry experience is obtained after the applicant has completed the junior year of the bachelor's degree program and prior to graduation and is under the supervision of a forester registered with the board pursuant to subsection 10, paragraph B; or

(2) The applicant can demonstrate lawful prior professional forestry practice in another jurisdiction.

An applicant under this paragraph must complete the 24 months of experience within 6 calendar years prior to application.   [PL 2013, c. 527, §2 (RPR); PL 2013, c. 527, §9 (AFF).]

[PL 2013, c. 527, §2 (RPR); PL 2013, c. 527, §9 (AFF).]

4.  Recommendation.  The applicant shall submit a reference from the sponsor, unless the sponsor is unavailable as a reference through no fault of the applicant. An applicant exempted under subsection 5 shall submit a reference from a forestry professional familiar with the applicant's forestry practice.

[PL 2013, c. 527, §3 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 527, §9 (AFF).]

5.  Exemption to internship; professional practice in another jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding subsection 3, the board may waive the internship requirement, as set forth in subsection 3, for an applicant who has at least 24 months of lawful prior professional forestry practice in another jurisdiction within the 6-year period prior to application pursuant to rules adopted by the board.

[PL 2013, c. 527, §3 (AMD); PL 2013, c. 527, §9 (AFF).]

5-A.  Exemption to internship; professional practice as a federal employee.  Notwithstanding subsection 3, the board may waive the internship requirement, as set forth in subsection 3, for an applicant who has at least 24 months of prior professional forestry practice as an employee of the Federal Government within the 6-year period prior to application pursuant to rules adopted by the board.

[PL 2013, c. 527, §4 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 527, §9 (AFF).]

6.  Examination.  Each applicant for a forester license shall successfully pass an examination approved by the board designed to test an individual's knowledge to engage in the practice of forestry. An applicant with an associate degree or higher from a program that has a curriculum in forestry from a school or college approved by the board is required to pass only the examination section that tests the applicant's knowledge of the State's forestry laws, rules and practices. Applicants must meet all other qualifications for licensure prior to taking the examination except that an applicant with a degree in forestry from a school or college approved by the board pursuant to rules adopted by the board may take the examination prior to meeting all of the qualifications for licensure.

[PL 2015, c. 414, §2 (AMD).]

7.  Continuing education required.  As a prerequisite to renewal of a forester license, applicants must complete continuing education as set forth by rules adopted by the board.

[PL 2001, c. 261, §4 (NEW).]

8.  Renewal.  Licenses expire annually on December 31st or on a date the commissioner determines. The board shall issue a renewal license upon receipt of the written request for renewal, the renewal fee as set under section 5507 and evidence of satisfactory completion of continuing education as set forth in subsection 7. Licenses may be renewed up to 90 days after expiration upon payment of a late fee as set under section 5507 in addition to the renewal fee. A person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license expiration date is subject to all requirements governing new applicants under this chapter, except that the board may, in its discretion and giving due consideration to the protection of the public, waive examination and internship if the renewal application is within 2 years from the date of expiration for those applicants who demonstrate compliance with subsection 7 and upon payment of an additional late fee as set under section 5507 in addition to the 90-day late fee and renewal fee.

[PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. T, §11 (AMD).]

9.  Endorsement of documents.  Plans, maps and reports issued by the forester must be endorsed with the forester's name and license number during the life of the forester's license.

[PL 2001, c. 261, §4 (NEW).]

10.  Sponsor; supervisor.  A forester:

A. May act as a sponsor for an intern forester pursuant to the requirements of section 5514 and rules adopted by the board; and   [PL 2001, c. 261, §4 (NEW).]

B. Must register with the board to supervise the activities of an unlicensed person pursuant to rules adopted by the board.

Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.   [PL 2003, c. 364, §5 (AMD).]

[PL 2003, c. 364, §5 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2001, c. 261, §4 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 364, §§4, 5 (AMD). PL 2007, c. 402, Pt. T, §§ 10, 11 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 527, §§2-5 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 527, §9 (AFF). PL 2015, c. 414, §2 (AMD).