North Carolina
 State Board of Registration for Foresters
 
 
 
 
 

  
Program Evaluation

Forester Registration Act Under Review

The NC State Board of Registration for Foresters (NCBRF) is making foresters aware of a state legislative study that affects the Board and foresters. In 2013, the legislature instructed their Program Evaluation Division (PED) to examine the structure and operation of the state's 50+ independent occupational licensing boards. (This review is in addition to the periodic review of the Board's rules.) The recent final report concluded the following:

twelve boards, including NCBRF, were recommended for further review by the legislature, which will lead to a determination as to whether they are necessary to protect the public from financial or physical harm. Some of the PED's options for the future of the NCBRF include combining it with other boards or even eliminating it altogether. Concerns raised by the PED's report and a number of low numerical report scores revolved around the low number of public complaints about foresters; a relatively small NCBRF budget; and a view that the NCBRF does not substantially protect the public in any way. The NCBRF was given a few days around the holiday season to respond to the PED Report. The NCBRF submitted a response letter which presented the following points:

  • few public complaints indicates that the current registration process effectively protects the public.
  • the NCBRF's relatively small budget (approximately $40,000 annually) is a primary indicator that the NCBRF operates efficiently. The NCBRF does not receive any public funding.
  • evaluating educational qualifications; testing; and overseeing forester continuing education are major roles of the NCBRF. All of these elements lead to competent foresters serving the public and the environment.
  • an organized forestry Board provides oversight on behalf of the public and sets ethical standards of conduct for those who are proud to call themselves professional foresters. This is particularly critical for an industry which handles tremendous financial assets for landowners.

To see the full response made by the NCBRF: http://www.ncleg.net/PED/Reports/documents/OccLic/OccLic_Response_Foresters.pdf

The NCBRF will be diligent in our efforts to maintain the current Board structure and to protect the profession of the forester in North Carolina. If we fail, and the Board is eliminated, we may face a situation where any person could call themselves a "forester". Let that sink in.....North Carolina's registration law determines who may use the term "forester". For readers that are not yet registered foresters, but who are preparing to take the test or are somewhere in the application process, NCBRF recommends that you "stick to the plan" and continue your efforts.

The NCBRF will keep the forestry community posted and we will work hard to protect you, our landowners and our forests. If you have an opinion, and we hope you do, we ask that you call and write your state senators and representatives now and again each week over the coming months.

The full report from the legislative Program Evaluation Division may be viewed at: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/PED/Reports/documents/OccLic/OccLic_Report.pdf

Program Evaluation page of report and responses from other Occupational Licsening Board's, including NCBRF's response: http://www.ncleg.net/PED/Reports/2014/OccLic.html

Link to Local Senators: http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=senate

Link to Local Representatives:http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=House

 
 
 

 US Mail: NC Board of Registration for Foresters;  PO Box 27393; Raleigh, NC 27611     Telephone: 919-847-5441  E-mail: info@ncbrf.org