Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Find a Certified Forest Practitioner

Types of Certified Forest Practitioners
Find A Certified Forest Practitioner

When a Certified Forest Practitioner Is Required

When any person advertises, solicits, contracts, or engages in an activity which is undertaken in connection with the harvest of wood products from a tract of forest land in excess of 50 cords, 25,000 board feet, or 150 tons in any twelve-month period, a Certified Forest Practitioner is required. Harvests undertaken pursuant to the conversion of forest land to other uses that have been approved by the municipal planning commission, zoning commission, or combined planning and zoning commission and the inland wetlands agency do not require a Certified Forest Practitioner. If you have questions about the requirements for use of a Certified Forest Practitioner, contact DEEP.Forestry@ct.gov or review the governing statute governing statute CGS Sec. 23-65h.  

Types of Certified Forest Practitioners 

In Connecticut, foresters and loggers must obtain Forest Practitioner certification from the DEEP Division of Forestry. Three levels of certification are offered: Forester, Supervising Forest Products Harvester, and Forest Products Harvester. Each level of certification allows specific activities under the law. Below is a list of activities that the three types of Certified Forest Practitioners are permitted to conduct:  

Forester 

  • May plan or design forest practices, including forest management plans and silvicultural plans. 
  • May represent the landowner as an agent in the sale of commercial forest products. 
  • May execute written or oral contracts or agreements for the purchase of commercial forest products from woodland owners.
  • May supervise a commercial forest products harvesting operation. 
  • May participate in a commercial forest product harvest operation.  

Supervising Forest Products Harvester  

  • May execute written or oral contracts or agreements for the purchase of commercial forest products from woodland owners. 
  • May supervise and participate in the actual commercial forest product harvest operation. 
  • May mark trees as a means of clearly designating which are to be cut and/or which are to be left uncut. 
  • May plan and design a harvest plan.  

Important note: Supervising Forest Products Harvesters may not make recommendations, either written or oral, concerning silvicultural principles and techniques; and they may not represent the landowner as an agent in the sale of commercial forest products. 

Forest Products Harvester   

  • May participate in the actual commercial forest products harvest operations. 
  • May provide direct on-site supervision to two uncertified people participating in the actual commercial forest products harvest operation.   

Important note: Forest Products Harvesters may not solicit the purchase of commercial forest products or execute contracts to purchase commercial forest products; may not make recommendations, either written or oral, concerning silvicultural principles and technique; may not represent the landowner as an agent in the sale of commercial forest products; may not act on the buyer’s behalf in the supervision of a commercial forest products harvest operation; and may not mark timber for harvest. 

Important Facts to Remember When Selecting a Certified Forest Practitioner  

  • Request a list of references and be sure to check them. If possible, visit one of their other sites and view the job referenced in the reference.   
  • Ensure the individual is properly certified to perform the work to be accomplished. 
  • Forest practitioners offer a variety of services with wide-ranging fee schedules. It is wise to contact more than one forest practitioner to compare services and fees. 
  • Understand exactly what services are to be provided and at what cost. A properly written contract will allow both you and the forest practitioner to understand who is responsible for what, when, and will set standards of performance. 
  • Ensure that the forest practitioner clearly understands your goals for the forest land. 

For more information, review the governing statute governing statute CGS Sec. 23-65h.  

Find a Certified Forest Practitioner

The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) maintains a current Directory of Certified Forest Practitioners. It can be found at www.elicense.ct.gov.

You can search Certified Forest Practitioners by name, license number, or location. You can also download a list of Certified Forest Practitioners or PA490 Endorsed Certified Forest Practitioners.

For more information on Certified Forest Practitioners, contact: 

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 
Division of Forestry 
79 Elm Street 
Hartford, CT 06106

Phone: 860-424-3630 
Email: Deep.Forestry@ct.gov

Content last updated December 2025.