Become a Registrant

RFTs may engage in aspects of the practice of professional forestry to the extent consistent with their education, training, and experience.

• While executing, supervising the execution of, or inspecting work designed by a Registered Professional Forester or special permit holder acting within the scope of their permit;
• Under the direct supervision of a Registered Professional Forester or special permit holder acting within the scope of their permit; or
• Independently, if carrying out those aspects of professional forestry practice within the following general practice area as described in the Guidelines on Scope of Practice for Registered Forest Technologists established by council:
  • Forest Measurements;
  • Silviculture;
  • Forest Operations; and
  • Forest Protection.

Read the Registration Policy (2016), Registration Procedures, and Articling Procedures for information on membership.

There are three ways to become an RFT.

1. Enroll in the Trainee Forest Technologist (TFT) program
2. Enroll in the Allied Science Trainee Forest Technologist (ASTFT) program
3. Enter as a Transferring Forest Professional

1. ENROLL IN THE TRAINEE FOREST TECHNOLOGIST (TFT) PROGRAM

Eligibility Requirements

>> Graduated from an ABCFP Recognized Diploma Program during the recognized period within the last 10 years*.

If you completed one of these programs outside of the recognized period, you are eligible to enroll in the ASTFT program. See the ASTFT registration requirements in section 2 below for details.

*Graduates of ABCFP recognized programs that were conferred 10 or more years ago, will be subject to further review. Applicants, in this circumstance, will be required to provide detailed information on what they have been doing since graduation to remain current with the RFT core competency standards. A more detailed review of an applicant's credentials may result in enrolment into the Allied Science Trainee Forest Technologist program.

TFT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS DURING ENROLMENT

Once enrolled, TFTs must complete the following registration requirements:

1. Six Experience Areas Modules
2. Articling Requirements

If you meet the TFT program eligibility requirements, apply for membership now.

2. ENROLL IN THE ALLIED SCIENCE TRAINEE FOREST TECHNOLOGIST (ASTFT) PROGRAM

Eligibility Requirements

>> Graduated from an unrecognized/non-accredited diploma program or a foreign program in forestry or an allied discipline.

You may be eligible for ASTFT membership if you meet one of the following:

• Have completed an ABCFP Recognized Diploma Program outside of the recognized period.
  
  
• Have completed an unrecognized post-secondary technology diploma program (usually with a minimum of 1,000 credit hours) in forestry or an allied discipline such as natural resource management; fish, wildlife and recreation, or GIS. See list of acceptable programs below.
  
  
• Have completed a post-secondary technician diploma program (usually with a minimum of 1,000 credit hours) in forestry or allied discipline and have forest technology work experience.
  
  
• Have completed a science-based post-secondary undergraduate degree and have relevant forest technology work experience.
  Note: Completion of a degree program alone is not acceptable; you may be eligible for one of our Forester in Training programs for the RPF designation. See the Become a Member/Registered Professional Forester page for details.

• Have a combined academic and practice equivalent to a technology diploma. Questions about eligibility in these cases are highly specific and should be discussed with staff in the registration department.
  
  
• Have an international forestry program equivalent to a diploma program. International forestry programs (completed outside of Canada or the USA), must go through comprehensive assessment by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) to determine your education's Canadian equivalent. If you have already had your credentials assessed by another evaluation service, e-mail us a copy, along with your resume and we will review it to determine if it is acceptable.

Programs Qualifying for ASTFT Membership

Programs accepted for ASTFT membership:

Program not listed?
There are many other programs that may be accepted and are not in the above-mentioned list. If your program is not listed above, please review the Am I Eligible for ASTFT Membership document.

ASTFT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS DURING ENROLMENT

Once enrolled, ASTFTs must complete the following registration requirements:

1. Six Experience Areas Modules
2. Articling Requirements
3. Core Competency Requirements

If you meet the ASTFT program eligibility requirements, apply for membership now.  

3. TRANSFERRING FOREST PROFESSIONAL

Eligibility Requirements

If you are a Registered Professional Forest Technologist (RPFT) in Alberta or Saskatchewan, you may qualify for recognition as a RFT in BC and be entitled to full practice rights in BC under the labour mobility agreement.

Visit the Transferring Members page for more information.

NEED MORE INFORMATION ON ELIGIBILITY?

Please contact the registration department.

If you would like to confirm that you are eligible for membership, please read Am I Eligible for ASTFT Membership and email us the information outlined in the document.

Note: The information in this section pertains to only TFT and ASTFT candidates.

How to Become a RFT:

1. Become an Enrolled Member
2. Complete the Registration Requirements
3. Become a Registered Member

1. APPLY TO BECOME AN ENROLLED MEMBER

The first step towards registration is to apply to enroll in the Trainee Forest Technologist (TFT) or Allied Science Forest Technologist (ASTFT) program.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Determine if you are eligible to apply for membership. Read the Routes of Entry section for details.
• Review the registration requirements  to understand what will be required to become registered. See # 2 below for details.
• Find a Sponsor. Read the Articling Requirements section for details.

APPLY NOW:

Click Here to Apply for Membership

See the Application Process Chart for an overview of the application approval process.

2. COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Once your TFT or ASTFT application is approved by council, you are considered an enrolled member and will be entitled to use the title 'Trainee Forest Technologist' and the designation 'TFT'.

TFTs abide by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice contained in the ABCFP Bylaws and complete the following registration requirements during their enrolment period:

• Six Experience Areas Modules
• Articling Requirements
• Core Competency Requirements (ASTFTs only)

Read the specific pages for detailed information and see the Roadmap to Registration which illustrates how enrolled members proceed through the 6 experience areas, articling requirements, and competency requirements. Note: core competency checkpoints on the Roadmap are for allied science members only.

For more details on becoming an enrolled member, see the Routes of Entry webpages and read the Registration Procedures.

3. BECOME A REGISTERED MEMBER (REGISTERED FOREST TECHNOLOGIST - RFT)

Once you have completed all your registration requirements, we will forward the approval of your RFT designation to Council. Upon approval:

• You will receive the title, Registered Forest Technologist, and designation, RFT.
• You will be entitled to practice professional forestry in BC as noted in the Scope of Practice section.
• You will be required to meet the requirements for RFT membership.
• You will be sent and official Certificate of Registration.
• You will be able to order your designation stamp/seal, and/or your notarized digital signature.
• You will be formally inducted to the ABCFP at our annual conference.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact the registration department.