continuing education: explanation of the ontinuing forestry education (cfe) certificate and the certified forester© (cf) process (contact hours)
Q: Our chapter has lost touch over the years about the process for granting credit for chapter meetings. Can those be assumed for a technical meeting? What about credit for something like the Oregon Logging Conference?
A: The easiest way to grant credit for chapter meetings is to send David an agenda ahead of time so he can send you, the sponsor, a Contact Hour Notice Form in return. Generally a 1-hour technical presentation during a meeting equals one contact hour for recertification. Contact hours for participation in meetings that don't necessarily include technical presentations accrue only for those holding elected or appointed offices or on committee assignments at a rate described in "Category 6" below. If an activity (e.g. meeting) doesn't have a Contact Hour Notice Form, then each individual CFE and CF application must be accompanied by a course outline or program agenda in order to validate it for receive continuing education credit. NOTE: just because an activity doesn't have a Contact Hour Notice Form doesn't mean that you can't/won't receive continuing education credit for it!
As for something like the Logging Conference, certainly not all activities associated with it qualify as continuing education, but parts of it certainly do. Without seeing an agenda there is no way to know how much or how little qualifies. In such a case the easiest thing to do is probably for each individual to include a course outline or program agenda, with activities you attended highlighted, in order to validate it for receive continuing education credit.
Remember that it is useful for the SAF national office to receive information on CFE credit for as many activities as possible given that our Certified Foresters and CFE participants are likely to submit them for CFE credit towards the hours required for recertification. Asking for a Contact Hour Notice Form before the program facilitates and promotes both the CF and CFE programs.
Q: Why doesn't SAF National offer a package through which a person can satisfy the 60 hours required for recertification in the CF program?
A: National SAF doesn't know what each individual would benefit from regarding continuing educationÑthe onus is on the individual to find continuing education activities that will meet their needs while still matching the requirements for continuing education. What's more, attending the SAF convention every year actually can ensure you more than meet the 60 hour requirement over 3 years; 8 hours a year Category 1 credit are offered through the JoF on-line quiz; attending local state/chapter meeting attendance boosts the number up even more.
category 1
Organized course work, seminars, workshops, or activities on forestry or forestry-related subject matter in the broad categories of measurements; ecology and biology; silviculture; protection; managerial and decision sciences; production and utilization; and social arts and sciences. Included are seminars, short courses, and workshops conducted or sponsored by public or private organizations, as well as technical sessions of SAF meetings or conferences. Credit will be approved only for subject matter directly related to forest resources. Credit accrues at the rate of one hour for each hour of actual contact. Unless otherwise warranted, three hours of tour or field session equal one contact hour. The CFE (or CF) application must be accompanied by a course outline or program agenda for activities not previously approved by SAF.
category 2
Other organized course work or activities not specifically in forestry or forestry-related subject matter, but which are professionally enriching or directly benefit the individual in his or her present position. Examples include general sessions of professional meetings and course work in areas such as real estate, computer science, managerial and leadership skills, public speaking, or vertebrate zoology. Credit accrues at the same rate as for Category 1.
category 3
The development, preparation, and presentation of course work or activities such as described in Categories 1 and 2 that require effort beyond the general scope of the individual's normal duties or job description. Credit accrues at the rate of two contact hours for each hour of presentation.
category 4
The preparation, writing and publication of forestry or forestry related subject matter that requires effort beyond the general scope of the individual's normal duties or job description. Credit accrues at the rate of fifteen hours for each publication requiring technical review or five hours for an article or a series of articles of a substantial nature in magazines, newspapers, or similar publications.
category 5
Self-improvement in forestry and forestry related subjects. Included in participation in or attendance at meetings not qualifying for Category 1 or 2, such as those conducted by state boards of forestry, forestry licensing committees. Also included is self-improvement in reading appropriate technical publications or viewing audiovisual presentations on technical forestry subjects. Credit accrues at the rate of one hour for each hour of activity.
category 6
Holding elected or appointed office or active committee assignment in the SAF or allied professional organizations such as The Wildlife Society, Society for Range Management, or Association of Consulting Foresters. Credit accrues at the rate of five hours per year for holding office or chairing an assignment or two hours per year for active committee membership.