Registration Categories

Forest Professionals British Columbia (FPBC) offers several registration categories for registrants who are no longer practising professional forestry, either temporarily or on a longer-term basis. These registration categories help ensure registrants are not inadvertently engaging in practice infringement.

For questions regarding any of the categories, contact admissions@fpbc.ca.

Application forms:

Retired

Retired status is only available to registered and associate registrants 55 and older who are no longer practising professional forestry in BC.

Retired status allows you to remain involved with the profession and participate in FPBC affairs, including voting, and sitting on boards, committees, or subcommittees, and to continue receiving BC Forest Professional magazine and The Increment e-newsletter.

It also permits the use of the retired registrant (Ret) designation.

While on retired status, you may not practise professional forestry in BC, or use any reserved title or designation (verbally, written, or in electronic communications), indicating or implying that you are authorized to practise professional forestry, or sign, seal, or stamp professional documents.

The registrar or credentials committee may admit a practising registrant (RFT or RPF) or an associate (ATC, ATE, NRP, SAS) registrant to the retired registrant category who:

  • verifies that they are not engaged in the practice of professional forestry as defined in the Forest Professionals Regulation or Section 5 of the PGA and they do not intend to return to practice in the future; and

  • is 55 or older, or, if not 55 or older, can demonstrate extenuating circumstances to the satisfaction of the registrar or credentials committee.

Applications to retire are accepted throughout the year.

Standing Non-practising

Standing Non-practising is open to RPFs and RFTs who want to maintain their registration and are working but not practising professional forestry. Examples could include registrants who are working as mill managers, in sales, or human resources. The Standing Non-practising registrant category is an alternative to the Non-practising – Leave of Absence (LOA) or Retired registrant categories.

Registrants in the Standing Non-practising category are eligible to vote and run for the FPBC Board, they are able to reinstate to full practising category, and they are exempt from annual continuing professional development requirements but they must submit an annual competence declaration when renewing their registration.

Under Bylaw 5-17 (15), a Standing Non-practising registrant may use the abbreviation RPF or RFT but it must be accompanied by:

  • the term ‘non-practising’ immediately preceding the title or abbreviation; or

  • the term ‘non-practising’ immediately following the title or abbreviation.

Fees for Standing Non-practising registration are the same as practising RPF and RFT registration.

Leave of Absence (non-practising)

A Leave of Absence (LOA) is an alternative form of renewing your registration available only to registrants who are not working in BC in any capacity.

A LOA allows you to remain an FPBC registrant for the fiscal year (December 1 to November 30) and pay reduced fees while not working. It also allows you to continue to receive BC Forest Professional magazine and The Increment e-newsletter.

While on a LOA, you must not practise professional forestry in British Columbia or use any reserved title or designations (verbally, written, or in electronic communications), indicating or implying that you are authorized to practise professional forestry. You also cannot display your certificate, use your professional stamp or seal, or participate in FPBC business, such as voting in board elections or joining boards, committees, or subcommittees.

While on LOA, you are not allowed to sponsor a trainee. If you are a sponsor, you must inform your trainees personally that you are not eligible to be a sponsor and they must find a new sponsor.

Undertaking unauthorized acts while on leave is subject to disciplinary action under FPBC Bylaws. Applications for LOA are accepted throughout the year. Applications submitted during the renewal period will take effect on December 1.

Reinstate or Reapply

Current registrants on a leave of absence (LOA) can apply to reinstate at any time. Former registrants (such as Retired or those who have cancelled their registration) may also be eligible for reinstatement.

For absences longer than 36 months, registrants and associate registrants pay a higher reinstatement fee. Additional requirements may be required to reinstate your registration.

Trainees (ASFIT, ASTFT, FIT, TFT, TNRP) lose two months of work experience credit for each month, or portion thereof, while not a registrant.

For absences longer than 36 months, you must reapply for registrant status and requalify all of your work experience. Requirements are determined once FPBC receives your reinstatement request.

If you were employed during your absence, as part of the application form, you will be required to provide:

  • a current detailed resume that includes all of your education and work experience; and

  • details on any steps you have taken to remain current with the practice of professional forestry during this time.

You are not eligible for reinstatement, if you were a former registrant who was:

  • registered with conditional status (e.g. conditional RFT or transferring registrant);

  • a limited license holder; or

  • a trainee more than three years ago.

Resign

If you are no longer practising professional forestry in BC, you may request to resign your registration.

Once you have resigned your registration, you may not practise professional forestry in BC, or use any reserved titles or designations (verbally, written, or in electronic communications), indicating or implying that you are authorized to practise professional forestry as specified in FPBC Bylaws or the Forest Professionals Regulation.

The registrar or the Credentials Committee may approve an FPBC registrant’s resignation by verifying they are not practising professional forestry as defined in the Forest Professionals Regulation or using a reserved title as defined in Part 5 of the Professional Governance Act (PGA).

Practising or associate registrants and limited licensees may be subject to higher reinstatement fees or additional educational requirements.

Trainees (ASFIT, ASTFT, FIT, TFT, TNR) lose two months of work experience credit for each month, or portion thereof, while not registered.

If you are working in any capacity in BC, you will be required to provide evidence to demonstrate that you are not practising professional forestry. You must provide a task description, rationale, and a professional practice questionnaire as part of the application form.

Name Change

The official registrant directory must contain a registrant’s full legal name. If your name changes, submit the required information to FPBC. Also, make sure your contact information and communication preferences are up-to-date.

If you are a registrant, associate registrant, or limited licensee, you will need to order a new stamp or seal, as well as a new certificate displaying your new name.

If your name change is the result of marriage, you must submit a copy of your marriage certificate. If your name changes as the result of divorce, you must submit a copy of your birth certificate, and a copy of a piece of identification bearing your married name.

If your name change is the result of a legal name change, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Change of Name.

Send documentation to the registration department at admissions@fpbc.ca