California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1.5 - Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Chapter 10 - Registration of Professional Foresters
Article 4 - Miscellaneous
Section 1650 - Specialties

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 1650

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

(a) As an alternative to being registered as a RPF, any person qualified pursuant to this Article is eligible for certification in a specialty. Both RPFs and non-RPFs are eligible for certification in a specialty. Only a person registered as a Certified Specialist may use the title of that specialty.

A certificate in each specialty created will be issued by the Board pursuant to Section 772 of the Code. Specialties will be created by regulation as the need arises.

(b) The following certified specialties shall be implemented and overseen by the Executive Officer, with the assistance of the PFEC

(1) Certified Rangeland Management Specialty

(c) To obtain Board recognition of its independent certification program, the professional society or public agency shall submit to the Board its program, including but not limited to any requirements for experience, education, disciplinary proceedings, and applicable testing. Upon a determination by the Board that the program fully protects the public interest by ensuring that individuals satisfying the requirements of the program possess the requisite experience and general knowledge in the area of practice encompassed by the program, the Board shall recognize the certification program as full qualification without examination for the Board's certificate of specialization, and the Board shall register as certified specialists those individuals who have met the requirements under the recognized program upon submission of such evidence to the Board.

(d) For independent certification programs submitted to the Board by a professional society or public agency pursuant to Section 772 of the Code and subsection (c) above, the following process and requirements shall apply:

(1) When a professional society or public agency establishes an internal certification panel for any or all of the following purposes: reviewing an applicant's qualifications, administering an examination to evaluate an applicant's professional understanding; reviewing allegations of misconduct; and administering discipline pursuant to the respective certification program; the panel members shall have first been certified by the Board as meeting the professional qualifications and standards for that certified specialty before undertaking their responsibilities pursuant to this section. The certification of the panel members may be done by a subcommittee of the PFEC appointed by the Board and composed of resource professionals in good standing representing a broad cross section of employment and expertise in that specialty. All subsequent panel members shall also be certified in this manner.

(2) The PFEC shall be notified by the professional society or public agency of any Certified Specialist who is guilty of violations of professional standards and is issued discipline pursuant to the respective certification program. Subsequent to being granted the specialty certificate by the Board, the Certified Specialist shall be subject to disciplinary actions by the Board pursuant to Sections 775 through 778 of the Code, and any regulations promulgated thereunder. For disciplinary action pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 778 of the Code, the professional society or public agency establishing the independent certification program shall provide information related to demonstration of any fraud or deceit by an applicant in obtaining their registration or certification to the PFEC upon request by the PFEC. The professional society or public agency shall inform the PFEC of all complaints of violations or other misconduct relating to any Certified Specialist.

(3) The PFEC shall be notified of any proposed actions to be taken by a professional society or public agency which may affect the specialty certification program of the society or public agency, including but not limited to modification of the requirements for certification or professional accountability. Any modifications to a specialty certification program must be approved by the PFEC prior to implementation. Modifications that significantly alter the qualifications and accountability within the recognized certification program must be approved by the Board.

(4) Prior to March 1 of each calendar year, those professional societies and public agencies with recognized independent certification programs shall submit to the Executive Officer of the PFEC a report which describes the previous calendar year accomplishments of the certification program, including but not limited to the number of applicants for certification, the approvals, denials, copies of examinations, and a summary of disciplinary actions, to insure the program fully protects the public interest. Failure to submit the report may result in the rescission of recognition of the certification program by the Board.

(e) Upon recognition by the Board of an independent certification program, the terms of the program shall be made publicly available by the professional society or public agency and posted on the Board's website.

(f) All Certified Specialists are subject to annual registration and fees for renewal of specialty certificates pursuant to 14 CCR, Sections 14 CCR, Sections 1605 and 1607. Additional fees may be required by the professional society or public agency responsible for the independent certification program.

(g) The Board may, from time to time, review an independent certification program which it has recognized pursuant to PRC § 772 to ensure the program fully protects the public interest through ensuring that individuals satisfying the requirements of the program possess the requisite experience and general knowledge in the area of practice encompassed by the program, and shall rescind its recognition of the independent certification program if it determines that the program does not fully protect such interest.

(h) In addition to rescission pursuant to subsection (g) of this Section, the Board may rescind its recognition of the independent certification program if it determines that the professional society or public agency fails to comply with any other requirements of this Section.

1. Amendment filed 8-1-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 32).
2. Amendment of NOTE filed 9-27-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 41).
3. Amendment filed 4-28-94; operative 5-30-94 (Register 94, No. 17).
4. Amendment filed 2-28-2020; operative 4-1-2020 (Register 2020, No. 9).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 759 and 762, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 762 and 772, Public Resources Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.