Forestry Profession Act Regulation

Governs licensure examination, registration, and practice supervision of forestry professionals.
Aims to upgrade forestry curricula and enforce continuing professional development (CPD).
Integrates forestry professions under a unified regulatory framework.

Accredited Professional Organization (APO): The integrated body of licensed foresters accredited by the Professional Regulatory Board.
Forestry: The sustainable management and business of forest and forestland resources for goods, services, and ecological benefits.
Professional Forester: A registered and licensed individual holding valid certificates issued by the Professional Regulatory Board and the PRC.

Covers parametric classification, land subclassification, forest product inventory, road surveying, harvesting operations, scaling, grading, and tax manifesting on forest products.
Includes forest nursery development, afforestation, reforestation, timber improvement, and forest protection systems.
Encompasses environmental risk assessments, feasibility studies, research, teaching, and consultancy in forestry.
Applies to government, local government units, private sector, and foreign-assisted forestry projects.
The Board may revise practice scope to keep pace with forestry trends.

A three-member collegial body created under PRC supervision: one Chairperson and two members.
Members appointed by the President from nominees presented by PRC and APO.
Members must be natural-born Filipinos, registered foresters with at least 10 years of practice, of good moral character, and without conflicts of interest related to educational institutions.
Term of office is three years, renewable once, with initial staggered terms for the first Board.
Board members receive compensation comparable to other regulatory boards.

Regulates forestry practice, adopts codes of ethics, good governance, and technical standards.
Prescribes licensure exam syllabi, administers exams, issues certificates, and monitors professional standards.
Conducts inspections, hears disciplinary cases, and imposes sanctions including suspension and revocation.
Coordinates with CHED for quality assurance of forestry education institutions.
Can issue special permits to foreign foresters and adopt walk-in examination programs.
Responsible for promulgating rules and regulations implementing the Act.

The President, upon PRC recommendation and after due process, may suspend or remove Board members for neglect, misconduct, or exam manipulation.

PRC maintains Board records and designates a Secretary to assist Board operations.

Foresters must pass a licensure exam to practice, except as otherwise provided.
Applicants must be Filipino citizens or foreigners from reciprocal countries, of good character, hold an accredited forestry-related bachelor's degree, and have no convictions involving moral turpitude.
Examination subjects include Forest Ecosystem, Forest Policy and Governance, Forest Engineering and Utilization, and Forest Resource Management.
Passing score is a weighted average of 75%.
Successful candidates take an oath before practicing and are issued certificates and professional IDs.
Registration denial occurs for convictions, immoral conduct, or unsound mind.

Grounds include violation of the Act, fraud, incompetence causing harm, failure to join the APO, non-payment of fees, aiding illegal practice, substance addiction impairing ability, and CPD noncompliance.
The Board may initiate investigations and hearings, following PRC rules.
Revoked certificates may be reinstated after two years upon satisfactory proof.

Only registered foresters and holders of valid permits may practice.
Juridical persons (proprietorships, corporations, associations) may practice if all officers are registered foresters and properly registered.
Registered foresters must use an authorized seal on professional documents.
Use of the seal after revocation is unlawful.

Foreign foresters can only practice if their country offers reciprocal rights to Filipino foresters.
Temporary or special permits may be granted to foreign experts or exchange professors under specific conditions.

All foresters and organizations are integrated into one national APO accredited by the Board.
The Board maintains an updated public roster detailing registration and membership statuses.

Mandatory continuing education rules are issued within six months of the Act's passage.
Noncompliance results in suspension until requirements are met.

Certificates and IDs must be posted conspicuously in foresters' offices.
Forestry-related positions in public and private sectors require duly registered foresters.

Perpetual disqualification for practicing without valid registration or identification, fraudulent acts, impersonation, abetting illegal practice, and violation of the Act.

The Act does not affect other professions.
Enforcement involves cooperation between the Board, PRC, APO, government agencies, and private organizations.
Funding is included in the PRC's budget proposal to Congress.
The incumbent Board continues to function until the new Board is organized.
The Board must promulgate implementing rules within 90 days of the Act's effectivity.
A severability clause ensures validity of unaffected provisions if any part is declared unconstitutional.
RA 6239 and inconsistent laws are repealed.

The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.