Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) is required for Registered Foresters to renew licenses between July 1^st and September 30^th. Reinstatements also require current CFE hours. A Registered Forester that has been licensed for less than a year on September 30^th is not required to submit CFE hours.

Ten (10) CFE hours of education acceptable to the Board are required on the annual renewal or reinstatement date. The CFE hours can come from the previous two years up to the second-year renewal date of September 30^th.

There are currently six CFE Categories. In October 2024, an updated CFE rule will be in effect. The new rule updates, consolidates and simplifies CFEs into three categories.  Category 4, 5, or 6 hours may be used though September 2025.

Annually a minimum of 5 CFE hours must be Category 1, or 2. Category 1 CFE hours can be used for more than the minimum 5 hours including up to the 10 required annual hours. The new October 2024 rule simplifies the rules and removes Category 2 from the 5-hour minimum and consolidates all 5-hour CFE minimums into Category 1.

Audit of CFE hours is conducted for renewals and reinstatements. If audited, the forester’s renewal will not be accepted until acceptable audit records are received. The audit process selects a percentage of foresters to submit:

1. Category 1 attendance records or other proof acceptable to the Board.
2. Other non-category 1 evidence may include agendas, or other documentation showing courses, authored writings, committee assignments, etc. with dates, contact hours or CFE specified hours, and with RFs signature as confirmation of completion.