If you are a member taking a temporary break from the practice of professional forestry in BC or not actively working toward registration, you may request permission to take a leave of absence (LOA) Reasons for requesting a leave are many and varied, but some common reasons include medical considerations, being away from work on maternity or paternity leave, returning to school, living and working outside the province, working in a job that doesn't involve the practice of professional forestry or unemployment.

How to Apply for a Leave of Absence

1. Determine your eligibility. To determine if you are eligible to apply for a leave of absence, please refer the applicable policy.
   

   a)	Enrolled members refer to the Registration Policy
   b)	Registered members refer to the Members Change of Status Policy

   
   
2. Complete the Change of Status form, including the Professional Practice Questionnaire and the Non-Practice Declaration Form.
   Change of Status Form (fillable PDF)
   Change of Status Form
   
   
3. Submit the Change of Status form with the current fee for an annual leave of absence and any other applicable fees. Applications received between December 1 and January 31 are also required to include the administrative fee on late membership renewal. See the Fees page for more information.
   Fees
   
   
4. Your request will be forwarded to the board of examiners or the professional practice committee for consideration. Requests determined not to include the practice of professional forestry in BC as defined by the Foresters Act will be forwarded to council for final approval.

Renewing a Leave of Absence
A leave of absence is in effect only until the end of the fiscal year, therefore you must re-apply by submitting a completed request for change of status form, including the non-practice declaration form – and, if you are currently working in BC your completed Professional Practice Questionnaire - and LOA fee to the registration department by November 30^th or else you will be invoiced for the reinstatement fee, the full annual membership dues for the incoming fiscal year and the administrative fee on late membership renewal. 
Change of Status Form (fillable PDF)

Change of Status Form

Note: Members on LOA who are working in BC are required to complete the self-assessment process, including the declaration, as part of their membership renewal.

Reinstatement from Leave of Absence
See the Reinstatement page for more information.
Reinstatement

Forms & Publications
Change of Status Form (fillable PDF)
Change of Status Form
Members Change of Status Policy
Registration Policy

Additional Resources
Fees
Self-Assessment

More Information
If you have any questions about requesting a leave of absence, contact the registration department ( ).

Some of the above documents are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them. You can download Acrobat Reader here.