FAQ for the Board of Foresters

One must meet the education requirements as described in rule 220-2-.02 of the board rules.

The examination for licensure as a Registered Forester is administered through the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Candidates will be required to take an examination specific to Georgia in addition to the nationally certified exam. Upon approval by the Georgia Board to take the exam, SAF will contact each approved candidate with instructions as to how to proceed with the registration process. The correspondence will include a Forestry Examination Application that is to be completed and submitted to SAF along with the fee of $325.00. This fee covers the one-time practice exam, one-time computer-based examination, and one study guide. Once the application has been received by SAF, the candidate will be registered with Schroeder Measurement Technologies Inc/IsoQuality Testing (SMT) and subsequently provided with two codes – one for the online practice exam and one for schedule the examination on the IsoQuality Testing website. Any applicant may request a modification to the administration procedure due to disability, handicap, or other conditions that may impair his or her ability to take the test. To be considered for special testing accommodations, a written request, indicating a candidate’s needs must be sent to SAF. Please visit SAF's website at www.certifiedforester.org for additional information. 

You must submit to the board office an examination application and a copy of your college transcript showing you received a degree. Applications are available here or by contacting the board office at 404-424-9966, and are processed by the board office in the order they are received.

The exam is held twice a year, in September and in March.

You may apply to the board office after completing your work experience. Applications are available here and from the board office. Experience must be earned after completion of educational requirements.

Yes. See rule 220-2-.03 of the board rules for specific requirements.

You must accumulate 12 hours every two years. See rule 220-4 of the board rules for specific CPE requirement guidelines, as the requirements changed effective January 2010.

Wall certificates can be ordered through the board office. You may order them here, after logging in to your account.

All forester licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year.

The electronic renewal application can be completed online beginning approximately 45 days prior to the license expiration date. For access to the online renewal application, go to the board's website here. You may also directly update changes to your address information online at the board's website. Please note that failure to receive the email notification regarding renewal does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility for timely renewal.

Download the Suggested Study Materials for Registered Forester Candidates (Georgia Exam) >>

All Foresters licenses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year. No Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is required during the first year of licensure. If the license was issued in an even-numbered year, six hours of CPE are required to renew the license the following year. After the first renewal period, the CPE requirement is 12 hours every two years. Licensees should retain documentation of CPE credits for four years. Proof of credits is not submitted to the Board office unless the licensee’s CPE credits are audited by the Board. Specific details regarding definitions, requirements, approved programs, etc. can be found in the Rules of the Board. Please refer to Chapter 220-4.