Frequently Asked Questions

Qualifications for Certified Forester® and Candidate Certified Forester
When are applications accepted?
Do degrees from an non-SAF accredited curriculum qualify? 
How much experience is required for the CF and CCF credential?
Where do I find out if a program is SAF accredited? 

Trademark and logo
Who can use the CF logo/trademark?
What is the proper way to use the term "Certified Forester®" and logo? 

Exam 
Is the exam accepted by state boards of licensure?
What is the passing score for the CF exam?
Does the exam have regional questions?
What is allowed in the exam room?
Once approved, what is the deadline for taking the exam?
Where are the testing centers located?
How many times can I take the exam?
How often is the exam offered? 

Recertification
How often is recertification?
Where can continuing education courses be located?
How much continuing education is required?
What is the recertification fee?
Are there any annual requirements? 

Qualifications for Certified Forester® and Candidate Certified Forester

When are applications accepted?
Applications are accepted at any time. There is no specific window. Applications can be downloaded online. 

Do degrees from an non-SAF accredited curriculum qualify?
Degrees from a non-SAF accredited curriculum must be substantially equivalent professional degree at the baccalaureate level or higher. A substantially equivalent degree must include a minimum of eleven courses across four broad areas of study as follows: a. Forest Ecology and Biology; b. Measurement of Forest Resources; c. Management of Forest Resources; d. Forest Resource Policy and Administration 

How much experience is required for the CF and CCF credential?
For the CF credential, each applicant must have five-years or more of qualifying professional experience within the past 10 years. Applicants for the Candidate Certified Forester must have less than five-years of qualifying experience in the past 10-years. Employment prior to conferral of first qualifying degree, including academic internships and cooperative work agreements, cannot count toward the experience requirement. 

Where do I find out if a program is SAF accredited? 
There are several ways 1) a current list of accredited program 2) contact your college or university or 3) contact the SAF national office. 

Trademark and logo

Who can use the CF logo/trademark?
SAF grants a non-exclusive and non-transferable license to an individual for the use of the "Certified Forester" logo as long as the CF remains in compliance with all Certified Forester requirements and procedures. The Certified Forester® logo is registered with the US Patent and Trade Office. 

What is the proper way to use the term "Certified Forester®" and logo? 
Use of the term "Certified Forester", and/or the CF trademark, must be in conjunction with the CF's name, as on a business card or accompanying a signature on correspondence, and not on company, agency, or business advertisements or promotions where the certificant's name is absent. 

Exam

Is the exam accepted by state boards of licensure?
Currently, the exam is accepted by the South Carolina State Board of Registration for Foresters and the Board officially uses the exam as a component for state licensure. However, all applicants must meet the state requirements for licensure and receive approval from the Board. 

What is the passing score for the CF exam?
Because not every candidate sits for the same form or version of the exam, the score for each form or version will differ. The "scaled score" is a way of putting all scores, regardless of the version of the exam a candidate takes or the total number of items on the exam, on the same scale or frame of reference. We use scaled scores that range from 0 (0 items correct) to 100 (all items correct). A passing scaled score is 75. 

Does the exam have regional questions?
No, specific regional questions were avoided during the development of the exam. The exam was tested to ensure that questions were not biased to a specific region. 

What is allowed in the exam room?
Individuals may only bring a non-programmable calculator into the exam room. A formula sheet and blank paper will also be provided to all candidates and must be returned after test completion. 

Once approved, what is the deadline for taking the exam?
Once approved, an individual has one-year to pass the exam. Extensions may be granted. See the CF Handbook for complete information. 

Where are the testing centers located?
The exam is administered through Schroeder Measurement Technologies Inc. (SMT) at hundreds of testing centers throughout the US. To locate a testing center near you, visit SMT's website. 

How many times can I take the exam?
Currently, there is no limit on the number of times the exam can be taken. 

How often is the exam offered?
The exam is offered at a time and location that is convenient to the individual. 

Recertification

How often is recertification?
Recertification is every 3-years for Certified Foresters. Candidate Certified Foresters do not get recertfied, but do have an annual renewal. 

Where can continuing education courses be located?
Courses can be located via the SAF online education calendar. 

How much continuing education is required?
Certified Foresters are required to obtain 60 hours of continuing forestry education every three years. Candidate Certified Foresters are required to obtain 15 hours of continuing forestry education each year. 

What is the recertification fee?
The current recertification fee for Certified Foresters is $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers. 

Are there any annual requirements?
There is an annual renewal fee of $35 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Candidate Certified Foresters have the same annual renewal fee.