How to Become a Forester in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association to work as a forester in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“If you wish to practise professional forestry as defined in the Professional Foresters Act, 2000 you must be a member of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association.”
From opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/m..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 6 steps
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 7 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 6 done
- 6 steps without a listed fee
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The applicant creates a profile through the registration link if they are not a current Student Member.
Source
“Create a profile through the Registration Link (if you are not a current Student Member)”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
After setting up the profile, the applicant completes the application form.
Source
“Complete the application form (after setting up your profile)”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant uploads a line numbered CV or resume with work experience in YYYY/MM/DD format.
Source
“Upload a line numbered CV or resume (work experience in YYYY/MM/DD format)”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant completes the online Professionalism and Ethics Evaluation.
Source
“Complete the online Professionalism and Ethics Evaluation*”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant pays the application fee.
Source
“Pay the Application Fee”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The application material is considered by the Registration Committee at their next regularly scheduled meeting and the applicant receives formal written notification within 2 weeks of the meeting date.
Source
“When received, this application material will be considered by the Registration Committee at their next regularly scheduled meeting. You can find a list of upcoming Registration Committee meeting dates and the deadline to submit materials for them here. You will receive formal written notification within 2 weeks of the meeting date.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
6 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
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A practising R.P.F. in good standing from another Canadian province moving to work in Ontario must apply for Full Membership.
Source
“If you are a practising Registered Professional Forester (R.P.F.) in good standing from another Canadian province and are moving to work in Ontario you must apply for Full Membership”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant completes the application through the portal after registering a new account and confirming their email.
Source
“Complete your application by following the Registration Link and clicking on “Register for a new account”. After creating your profile, you will receive an email and after confirming your email, you will be able to complete your application through the portal.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
Once the complete application is received, the OPFA makes a certification decision within 30 calendar days.
Source
“How it works: Once we receive your complete application, we will make a certification decision within 30 calendar days.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant must successfully pass the Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination within 6 months from the date of OPFA acceptance.
Source
“They will be required to successfully pass the Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination within 6 months from the date of OPFA acceptance.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/m...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 7 done
- 7 steps without a listed fee
-
The applicant creates a profile through the registration link if they are not a current Student Member.
Source
“Create a profile through the Registration Link (if you are not a current Student Member)”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
After setting up the profile, the applicant completes the application form.
Source
“Complete the application form (after setting up your profile)”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant uploads a line numbered CV or resume with work experience in YYYY/MM/DD format.
Source
“Upload a line numbered CV or resume (work experience in YYYY/MM/DD format)”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant completes the online Professionalism and Ethics Evaluation.
Source
“Complete the online Professionalism and Ethics Evaluation*”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The applicant pays the application fee.
Source
“Pay the Application Fee”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The Registration Manager discusses with the applicant whether to aim for Associate Membership or Full Membership.
Source
“The Registration Manager will discuss with you whether you wish to aim for Associate Membership (Associate R.P.F.) or Full Membership (R.P.F.).”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... -
The application material is considered by the Registration Committee at their next regularly scheduled meeting and the applicant receives formal written notification within 2 weeks of the meeting date.
Source
“When received, this application material will be considered by the Registration Committee at their next regularly scheduled meeting. You can find a list of upcoming Registration Committee meeting dates and the deadline to submit materials for them here. You will receive formal written notification within 2 weeks of the meeting date.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
7 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
Applicants must have graduated from a four-year, science-based baccalaureate degree, or equivalent, for Full Membership, or the minimum of a relevant diploma program to apply for Associate Membership.
Source
“Have graduated from a four-year, science-based baccalaureate degree, or equivalent for Full Membership, or the minimum of a relevant diploma program to apply for Associate Membership.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...
Experience
Applicants must have 18 months of adequate forestry-related experience.
Source
“Have 18 months adequate forestry-related experience.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...
Good character
Applicants must have adequate character witness reports from OPFA members or other professionals.
Source
“Have adequate character witness reports from OPFA members or other professionals.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...
Other
Applicants must have adequate sponsorships from OPFA members.
Source
“Have adequate sponsorships from OPFA members.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...Applicants must demonstrate their commitment to professionalism and ethics.
Source
“Can demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and ethics.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...Applicants must successfully pass the OPFA Ontario Forest Policy and Administration exam.
Source
“Successfully pass the OPFA Ontario Forest Policy and Administration exam.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...Applicants must demonstrate competence in Ontario forest policy and legislative framework.
Source
“Can demonstrate competence in Ontario forest policy & legislative framework (available options include online Bridge Training, an online screening test and short interview, and written submissions if applying for Associate Membership).”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...Applicants must be able to legally work and/or study in Canada and plan to work in professional forestry in Ontario.
Source
“Applicants must be able to legally work and/or study in Canada and plan to work in professional forestry in Ontario.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic...Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the competencies of the current Certification Standards for Full Membership, or a subset relating to a specific scope of practice for Associate Membership.
Source
“Can demonstrate that you meet the competencies of the current Certification Standards for Full Membership, or a subset relating to a specific scope of practice for Associate Membership.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...
Already licensed in another province?
Extra steps
A professional forester licensed in another Canadian province or territory can transfer their membership to Ontario if they are in good standing and meet the Local Knowledge requirement, but must pass the Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination within 6 months of OPFA acceptance. Source
“Under the Agreement of Internal Trade and the related Ontario Labour Mobility Act, a professional forester in one Canadian province or territory can transfer their Membership to Ontario provided they are in good standing with their original provincial association and meet OPFA’s Local Knowledge requirement. They will be required to successfully pass the Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination within 6 months from the date of OPFA acceptance.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/m...
Transfer membership to Ontario
Source
“Under the Agreement of Internal Trade and the related Ontario Labour Mobility Act, a professional forester in one Canadian province or territory can transfer their Membership to Ontario provided they are in good standing with their original provincial association and meet OPFA’s Local Knowledge requirement.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/m...Pass the local knowledge exam
Source
“They will be required to successfully pass the Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination within 6 months from the date of OPFA acceptance.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/m...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
Credential assessment
Credential Assessment Process (CAP)
Determines what competency gaps must be filled for Full membership.
Source
“Upon graduation, you must apply for Provisional membership, and when approved, you will undergo the “Credential Assessment Process” (CAP). This assessment determines what competency gaps must be filled for Full membership.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/f...
Exams
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Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination
Source
“They will be required to successfully pass the Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination within 6 months from the date of OPFA acceptance.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/m... -
Professionalism and Ethics Evaluation
Source
“Complete the online Professionalism and Ethics Evaluation*”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic...
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
Exemptions: Applicants do not need to pass a language proficiency examination to qualify for OPFA membership, but will need advanced communication skills in English to complete the application process and meet the experience requirement. Source
“You do not need to pass a language proficiency examination to qualify for OPFA membership or any other CFPFA member organization. However, to complete the application process and meet the experience requirement, you will need advanced communication skills in English.”
opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i...
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ontario Professional Foresters Association
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $31.39 | $40.00 | $53.06 | Limited (2 of 5) |
| Canada | $31.39 | $47.00 | $62.50 | — |
Foresters in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Ontario Professional Foresters Association | Membership Applicants opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/m... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Ontario Professional Foresters Association | Application Process & Forms opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Ontario Professional Foresters Association | How to Apply: Internationally Trained Individuals and Graduates of Programs in Canada That Are Not CFAB Accredited opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/applic... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Ontario Professional Foresters Association | International Applicants opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/i... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Ontario Professional Foresters Association | Forestry Students opfa.ca/practising-forestry/becoming-a-professional-forester/faqs/f... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a forester in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the Ontario Professional Foresters Association is required to practise in Ontario.
Which exams are required?
Ontario Forest Policy & Administration examination, Professionalism and Ethics Evaluation.
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