Ala. Admin. Code r. 380-X-6-.04 - Continuing Education

(1) Continuing Forestry Education acceptable to the Board is required for license renewal. Each renewal requires an annual minimum of 10 CFE hours accrued from the prior two years at the license expiration date. A minimum of 5 CFE hours must be Category 1. A maximum of 5 CFE hours can be from categories 2 or 3. A forester that is licensed for less than a full year does not submit CFE hours for the first license renewal.

(2) Unless otherwise defined for a particular activity, a CFE hour is a contact hour of actual instruction time (does not include introductions, breaks, travel times on tours, or other non-instruction time). A CFE activity is at least 1 hour, and the total activity or course time is rounded to the nearest one-half hour. A CFE credit hour is used once and any unused current year CFE hours can be rolled forward for the next year's needed CFE hours.

(3) Qualified CFE hours acceptable to the Board are as follows:

(a) The ASBRF approves Category 1 CFE hours or accepts comparable Category 1 CFE activity hours from the Society of American Foresters, other state boards of registration or other professional forester organizations.

(b) The other categories of CFE's are approved as defined in each Category description.

(c) The instructors of CFE activities must be experts or competent practitioners in the subject matter being presented. Registered Foresters are uniquely qualified to design CFE activities including tours, courses and selection of instructors that meet CFE criteria and may be listed as "Name, R.F., Coordinator" on the agenda.

(d) The CFE activity/course agenda being submitted for Board approval includes general activity/course objective, session topic descriptions, the session instructor title/qualifications and session contact hours. Agendas are submitted at least two (2) weeks in advance of their needed approval.

(4) The forester submits the CFE credit hours on the license renewal form and keeps documentation of CFE courses/activities used for 2 years. The forester only submits the ten hours needed to meet CFE requirements of paragraph "1." above.

(5) The Board may audit a forester's submitted CFE credit hours and if so, the forester submits the CFE credit hour records for review. Documentation includes attendance records, activity/course objective and session agendas with topics, instructors, and type CFE hours claimed. For courses without attendance records the forester may document attendance by signing the agenda document indicating that they have attended.

(6) There are three Categories of Continuing Forest Education (CFE) hours acceptable for Alabama Registered Forester continuing education.

(a) Category 1 includes organized coursework and activities directly related to the practice of forestry, or to the professional responsibility or ethical obligations of foresters. This category requires that continuing education contributes to the professional competency of a registered forester and is conducted by foresters or experts in the subject matter. CFE credits accrue at a rate of one hour for each hour of contact. For foresters preparing and presenting Category 1 CFE instruction (not a primary occupation role) credit accrues at 2 hours for each hour of presentation. A Category 1 content college course (not including courses taken in pursuit of a degree to qualify for licensing) accrue at a rate of 15 hours per course semester credit hour upon passing the course.

(b) Category 2 Includes published writing of forestry subject matter by foresters (not a primary occupation role) and accrues at 15 CFE hours for a technical reviewed publication and 5 CFE hours for a substantial audience news publication. Also includes holding elected or appointed office or active committee assignment or boards in forestry or allied professional forestry organizations as a representative of the forestry profession and accrues at a rate of 5 hours per year. Self-improvement in forestry related subjects like attendance of state boards of forestry meetings and self-study accruing at 1 CFE credit hour per activity hour. There is no preapproval application required as the forester reports the CFE hours but should retain proof of hours and attendance records.

(c) Category 3 Other organized coursework or activities not specifically forestry-related but professionally enriching or directly benefiting the forester in their present job role. There is no preapproval application required as the forester reports the CFE hours but should retain proof of hours and attendance records. Credit accrues at a rate of 1 hour for each contact hour of instruction. For college courses fitting Category 3 description (not including courses taken in pursuit of a degree to qualify for licensing) can be accrued at a rate of 15 hours per semester hour upon passing the course

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 380-X-6-.04

Filed March 19, 1992. Amended: Filed August 9, 2006; effective September 13, 2006. Amended: Filed February 9, 2007; effective March 16, 2007. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 08, May 31, 2016, eff. 6/20/2016. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIX, Issue No. 08, May 28, 2021, eff. 7/12/2021. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLII, Issue No. 11, August 30, 2024, eff. 10/14/2024.

Author: Aprille B. Cook

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-12-8(b).