Resolve, To Streamline Forester Licensing Requirements

Sec. 1. Streamlining of forester licensing requirements. Resolved: That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Licensure of Foresters, referred to in this resolve as "the board," and the Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service shall examine the licensing requirements for foresters as specified in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, chapter 76 for the purpose of streamlining forester licensing requirements. In performing this examination, the board and the Maine Forest Service shall develop recommendations that:

1. Simplify the education and experience requirements for obtaining a license as a forester;

2. Allow a person who meets specified experience levels and demonstrates knowledge of forestry law to be exempt from the education requirements of Title 32, section 5514, subsection 2; and

3. Repeal the requirement of Title 32, section 5515, subsection 3 that an applicant for a forester license complete an internship.

The board shall submit the recommendations and implementing legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over forestry matters no later than December 18, 2012 for consideration by the 126th Legislature. The joint standing committee may report out a bill regarding the simplified process.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Licensure of Foresters and the Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service to jointly develop recommendations for simplifying the licensing requirements for foresters, including exempting applicants with a specific level of experience and knowledge from the education requirements and repealing the requirement that foresters complete an internship. The board is required to submit the recommendations and implementing legislation to the 126th Legislature.