Categories of Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) Credit

Six SAF-recognized categories of educational activities qualify for CFE credit. CFE credits are allocated by the state CFE Coordinators, and may be awarded before or after an educational event occurs.

Category 1 – Organized course work or activities in forestry or forestry-related subject matters such as silviculture, mensuration, forest pest management, habitat management, urban forestry, or forest policy. 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.

An activity qualifies for approval as Category 1 if it satisfies ALL of these five conditions:

1. It constitutes an organized program of learning (including a meeting, workshop or symposium) that contributes directly to the professional competency of foresters.
2. It deals primarily with matter directly related to the practice of forestry or to the professional responsibility or ethical obligations of foresters.
3. It is conducted by foresters or other individuals who have special education, training, and experience in the subject matter of the program.
4. It is conducted in a setting physically suitable to the educational objectives.
5. The subject matter is applicable to foresters in general. Activities may be approved where attendance is limited to the members of a particular company, firm, or governmental agency but only if the subject matter is broad enough to be of interest to foresters in general. For example, in fire control training that a state might offer to employees, only parts relating to control methods and other generally applicable topics would qualify for Category 1. Training specific to the agency, such as instructions on completing various forms and other specific procedures, would not qualify.

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 coursework 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 – (NOTE: Category 5 CFE credits are NOT accepted by the Certified Forester program.) Self-improvement in forestry and forestry-related subjects. Included is participation in or attendance at meetings, not qualifying for Category 1 or 2, such as those conducted by state boards of forestry of forestry licensing committees. Also included is self-improvement through 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.