Student Membership – Students enrolled in a forestry-related, post-secondary program may apply for Student Membership

Provisional Membership – You may apply for Provisional Membership which continues while the remaining membership requirements for Full or Associate Membership are being fulfilled. Provisional membership, under the supervision or mentorship of an OPFA member, is required while attaining 18 months of progressive, relevant forestry experience, after graduation from an accredited program. Mentored professional forestry experience prior to obtaining Provisional Membership may be considered. Professional foresters licensed in jurisdictions other than Ontario, are accepted as sponsors or mentors for relevant experience gained while outside of Ontario. See Criteria for Relevant Experience for more information.

Graduates from a Canadian Forestry Accreditation Board (CFAB) accredited forestry program will undergo the Accredited Graduate Process (AGP) towards Full membership. All other applicants for Full Membership undergo the Credential Assessment Process (CAP). Applicants for Associate Membership may undergo the Credential Assessment Process. See Membership Processes for Provisional Members

To Apply For Provisional Membership:

1. Submit a completed Provisional Membership Application Form;
2. Submit the application fee-see Fee Schedule
3. Submit a resumé or curriculum vitae (CV)

When received, this application material will be considered by the Registration Committee at their next regularly scheduled meeting (see meeting schedule and deadlines below).

For Members That Have Resigned: Applying For Re-admission

Upcoming Registration Committee Meeting Dates and Deadlines: 

Meeting Date	Deadline for Submissions
December 7, 2018	November 23, 2018
February 7, 2019	January 24, 2019
April 4, 2019	March 21, 2019
June 6, 2019	May 23, 2019
August 8, 2019	July 25, 2019
October 10, 2019	September 26, 2019
November 7, 2019	October 24, 2019
December 6, 2019	November 22, 2019

Forms

• Provisional Membership Form
• Full Membership Application Form
• Associate Membership Application Form
• Student Membership Application Form
• Sponsorship Form
• Sponsorship Instructions
• Temporary Membership Application Form
• Mentoring Agreement 
• Mentorship Instructions
• Character Witness Form
• Re-admission Application Form
• Competency Support Report Form 

ACCREDITED GRADUATE PROCESS (AGP):

E-lecture – Navigating the Registration Process: The Accredited Graduate Process

CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS(CAP):

E-lecture – Navigating the Registration Process: The Credential Assessment Process 

Membership through the CAP

Bridge Training Program for Foresters

Witness Feedback Form

Suggestion on how to prepare your CAP portfolio

Membership Processes after CAP Assessment

See Bridge Training Program for Foresters for training modules available to meet required to fill gaps in core demonstrable competencies which are identified in the assessment process.

Please email the OPFA Registrar (registrar@opfa.ca) for any questions regarding the CAP process.

Document Retention

• The OPFA retains all submitted document and keeps records for current and past members indefinitely.
• The OPFA will keep all documents, but will work with the applicant/member to return original documents where the applicant/member submits a written request and provides good reason for the request.

Alternatives to Registration Requirements

There are no alternatives to registration requirements at this time, however, the Registrar can work with the applicant if they are unable to meet the application documentation requirements.  After undergoing the Credential Assessment Process, applicants who did not graduate from an accredited forestry program may continue to fulfill Full membership requirements, or may alternately choose to meet Associate membership requirements.

Registration Reconsideration and Appeals Processes

An applicant may request that the Registration Committee reconsider its decision.  Any request for reconsideration must be received in writing by the OPFA within 60 days of the applicant being notified of the decision.  If the applicant remains unsatisfied after the reconsideration, the applicant may appeal in writing to the Registration Appeal Committee within 30 days of the Registration Committee’s reconsideration decision.

For more detailed information refer to Article 11.36 of the By-laws or go the section Reconsideration and Appeal.

How long does the application process take?

The length of the application process varies by the category of membership being requested, and will vary for each applicant.