California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1.5 - Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Chapter 10 - Registration of Professional Foresters
Article 2 - Applications
Section 1621.4 - Substitution of Education for Experience

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 1621.4

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) For the purpose of this article and in accordance with Section 769(b) of the Code, a course of study shall be deemed a major in forestry only (1) if the awarding institution specifically designated the course of study as a major in forestry or a direct derivative thereof such as a major in forest management or a major in forest science, and (2) if it provides the significant concepts in a working knowledge of forest biology, forestry in the social context, forest resources inventory, forest ecosystem management, and forest resources administration. The forest courses presenting such concepts and working knowledge shall be at a level qualifying for transfer credit in a program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in forestry at either the University of California, Berkeley, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, or at Humboldt State University.

In accordance with these standards, a "major in forestry" for the purposes of this act are majors in forestry offered in California, at the University of California, Berkeley, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, and Humboldt State University and the programs in forestry offered in other states, which meet the above standards including such programs offered at universities accredited at the time of applicant graduation by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) as of their most current list. The list(s) may be obtained from Professional Foresters Registration, or SAF, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814-2198.

(b) The following degrees are deemed the equivalent of four years of forestry experience:

(1) A Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Forestry, or possession of a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree from any college or university in the United States of Canada.

(2) A degree in forestry, however designated, from a foreign college or university based on completion of a program of at least four years of university level work with a major in forestry, subject to review and favorable recommendation of the Examining Committee.

(3) A Master of Forestry degree awarded an applicant who holds either a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in a field other than forestry may submit such evidence as a comparable degree to the Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree.

(c) the Committee shall evaluate and determine, on a case-by-case basis, which other college or university degrees may be substituted as qualifying forestry work experience. In no case can any of the following be combined for more than four years substitution.

(1) A Bachelor of Science degree in a forestry-related field is not equivalent to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in forestry. No more than two (2) years shall be substituted for such forestry-related fields including, but not limited to, wood science and technology, wildlife management, range management, soil science or conservation of natural resources.

(2) A Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree in forestry or forestry-related fields can be substituted only when subsection 1621.4(b) of this article does not apply. No more than one (1) year for each of these degrees shall be substituted. A Master of Forestry degree is substituted for only one (1) year unless subsection 1621.4(b)(3) of this article applies.

(3) An Associate of Science or Associate of Arts with a "major in forestry" from one of the two-year colleges recognized at the time of applicant graduation by the Society of American Foresters can be substituted for two (2) years experience. The lists(s) may be obtained from Professional Foresters Registration, or SAF, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814-2198.

1. Renumbering and amendment of former Sections 1623.1 and 1623.2 to Section 1621.4 filed 8-4-89; operative 9-3-89 (Register 89, No. 32). For prior history, see Register 85, No. 41.
2. Amendment of subsection (a) and second paragraph filed 10-21-96; operative 11-20-96 (Register 96, No. 43).

Note: Authority cited: Section 759, Public Resources Code. Reference: Section 769, Public Resources Code.

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