Forester
Information you need to know to work as a Forester
Who is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing Professional Foresters in Alberta?
In Alberta, you must be registered with the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP) to use the protected titles or acronyms reserved for registered members: Registered Professional Forester (RPF), Professional Forester (PFor), Registered Forester (RF), Forester-In-Training (FIT). Registration is mandatory if you intend to practice forestry on public lands.
What are the registration requirements for internationally educated Professional Foresters?
Internationally educated foresters, forest engineers, or allied natural resource management graduates must:
- View the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP) Application Guide and ensure that you follow all the steps in the Pre-registration Credential Assessment Process.
- Register your profile and complete the AAFMP's online questionnaire by clicking on the Apply for Registration button to determine which register you are eligible to apply for. Note you must contact the registrar prior to applying to the FPRC for a credential assessment.
- Apply to the Forest Professional Regulators of Canada (FPRC) for a Credential Assessment. Ensure that you view the Internationally Trained page.
- Complete the online Credential Assessment process on the AAFMP portal, submit all required documentation, and pay the fees.
- Applicants with education or work experience discrepancies will receive guidance about competency gap-filling or supplemental activities. If discrepancies are minor, the applicant may be eligible for registration as an FIT but if major deficiencies exist, upgrading will be necessary prior to being registration eligible. Bridge-training opportunities are also available on the FPRC website.
- Once you have demonstrated all competencies, the AAFMP will guide you in completing any applicable articling/mentoring periods, experience requirements, and jurisprudence/policy/ethics exams leading to registration as an RPF.
For complete information on registering to become a Registered Professional Forester in Alberta, visit the Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP) and Forest Professional Regulators of Canada (FPRC) websites.
What are the educational requirements for Foresters in Alberta?
In Alberta, the University of Alberta in Edmonton offers four-year Bachelor of Science degree programs in Forestry and Forest Business Management. Find out more about accredited forestry degree programs at Forest Professional Regulators of Canada (FPRC).
What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?
There are no formal English requirements for Foresters; however, Foresters must have a high level of English in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in order to be successful in the profession. To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.
What resources and supports are available for internationally educated Foresters?
Directions for Immigrants offers workplace communication groups to help you integrate into the Canadian work environment. The Clear Communication for Business workplace communication group is designed to help internationally educated professional fine-tune their communication skills with colleagues, supervisors, and clients. In one week, you will learn through role-play and scenarios the nuances and expectations of the Canadian business culture. Topics include active listening, assertiveness, conflict resolution, problem solving, and teamwork. Visit Clear Communication for Business for more information.
What information resources are available for Foresters in Alberta?
- Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP)
- Canadian Federation of Professional Foresters Associations Credential Assessment
- Forest Professional Regulators of Canada (FPRC)
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