Request for Standing Non-Practising Status

Forest Professionals British Colmbia (FPBC) has created a new registrant sub-category for non-practising registrants who do not want to apply for a Leave of Absence: Standing Non-Practising.

Registrants eligible for this category are RPFs or RFTs who are still actively working but not engaged in the practice of professional forestry and want to continue to maintain a professional designation.

Standing non-practising status excludes the registrant from CPD requirements, practice, and conduct audits. Registration fees are the same as those for RPFs and RFTs with full practice rights.

For detailed information on other change of status options, including eligibility requirements, refer to the Status & Name Changes page on the ABCFP website.

Once your complete application for non-practising status and payment have been received, your application will be reviewed by staff for eligibility. If you are found to be eligible for non-practising status, your request will be forwarded to the registrar and/or Credentials Committee for approval.

If you are ineligible for standing non-practising status, or we require more information, we will email you directly.

Note that incomplete applications will not be processed. Applications completed or received between December 1 and January 31 will be assessed an administrative late fee.

An application is considered incomplete if there is any missing information and/or if the required fees are not submitted with your application (as per Bylaw 5-15(2)).

FPBC is mandated to protect the public interest by regulating the practice of professional forestry. The practice of professional forestry is defined in the Forest Professionals Regulation of the Professional Goverance Act (PGA) as "the provision of advice or services in relation to trees, forests, forest lands, forest resources, forest transportation systems, or forest ecosystems."

You must submit (a, b, and c) the following to verify you are no longer engaging in the practice of professional forestry:

c) Your completed Professional Practice Questionnaire (see below).

The practice of professional forestry, as defined in the PGA, means providing advice or services in relations to trees, forests, forest lands, forest resources, forest transportation systems, or forest ecosystems.

Professional forestry encompasses a range of diverse jobs that can occur in the forest or in an office where plans and policies are decided and includes planning, advising, directing, approving, supervising, engaging in, and reporting services.

Please answer all the questions below with respect to your work and/or consulting situation.

If you answer 'yes' in boxes 1, 2 and 3, and 'yes' in any of the boxes 4a to 4f, then you are engaging in the practice of professional forestry. You are not eligible for (standing) non-practising status and must maintain your practising registration.

If you answer 'yes' to some but not all of sections 1 to 4, you may be practising professional forestry.

This Professional Practice Questionnaire is intended to assist you, the registrant, to be duly diligent in recognizing whether or not you are practising professional forestry.

FPBC is mandated by the provincial government to protect the public interest in BC forests by regulating forest professionals' practice to be ethical, competent, and accountable.

Authorization to practise professional forestry is a privilege granted by FPBC, in accordance with the PGA and FPBC Bylaws.

I certify that the information provided in this form and in any documents attached is correct, complete, and provides full disclosure.

I have read the definition of the practice of professional forestry, as defined in the Forest Professional Regulation of the PGA.

I certify that I am not currently engaged in the practice of professional forestry within the province of BC.

If my application is approved, I will not engage in the practice of professional forestry within BC as a non-practising registrant of FPBC.

I further certify that should I wish to once again engage in the practice of professional forestry within BC, I must not do so without first reinstating my registration to that of a practising FPBC registrant.

Finally, I confirm that I understand that engaging independently in the practice of professional forestry within BC as a non-practising registrant of FPBC constitutes a contravention under the PGA.