Special permits allow individuals who are not eligible for registration but who meet certain terms and conditions to engage in certain aspects of the practice of professional forestry in British Columbia as detailed in their permit. Special permit holders do not enjoy voting rights.

There are three categories within the special permit class:

1. Transferring Professional Forester
2. Visiting Professional Forester
3. Limited Licence to Practise

Transferring Professional Forester
A special permit may be granted to a Registered Professional Forester from another recognized Canadian jurisdiction who transfers to BC and is not covered by the provisions of the Trade Investment Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA). The permit may grant rights of title and either full or partial rights of practice. Terms and conditions on practice may be imposed until such time as the Transferring Professional Forester passes the registration examination. The terms and conditions related to this special permit category of membership are subject to inter-provincial labour mobility agreements.

Transferring Professional Foresters must affix their signature and seal or stamp only to those professional documents authorized under the terms and conditions of their permit. They are entitled to use the title “Transferring Professional Forester.”

Visit the Transferring page to learn more about transferring into the ABCFP under the provisions of the Trade Investment Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).
Transferring

Visiting Professional Forester
A special permit may be granted to a Registered Professional Forester from another jurisdiction who wishes to temporarily practise professional forestry in BC. The permit is usually limited to the time required to undertake a specific task or project. Normally, the term for this type of special permit does not extend 12 months, but may be extended or renewed upon application.

Visiting Professional Foresters must affix their signature and seal or stamp only to those professional documents authorized under the terms and conditions of their permit. They are entitled to use the title “Visiting Professional Forester.”

Limited Licence to Practise
You may qualify for a Limited Licence to practise if you do not have the educational requirements to become a forest professional but satisfy us that you meet the required standards to engage in certain limited aspects of professional forestry practice.

Requirements for a general limited licence includes the following :

1. You must have a science degree in a discipline and from a university program approved by council; a diploma from a college program or other academic qualification approved by council; or have other qualifications acceptable to council.
2. You must have five (5) years of experience in forestry work satisfactory to council. The experience requirement may include up to a maximum of three (3) years spent in obtaining post secondary academic education acceptable to council. At least the last two (2) years experience must have been gained from working within the area of the practice of professional forestry to which the Limited Licence is to apply, one (1) year of which must have been within British Columbia.
3. You must supply four (4) references acceptable to council including at least two (2) from registered members.

Limited Licences are valid for the term issued and may be renewed at the discretion of council. Complete details about Limited Licences are contained in Bylaw 5 and application forms found on the Applications Forms page of this website.

Additional Resources
Foresters Act
ABCFP Bylaws
Career Options: What is a Forest Professional?
Career Options: Special Practice Permits
Transferring
How to Apply: Routes of Entry
How to Apply: Application Forms

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