Idaho SFI Implementation Committee, Inc.

 

Idaho’s Pro-Logger Program: A Credential for Idaho Loggers

Logger Credentials

Idaho’s professionally credentialed loggers are among the world’s foremost forest management professionals. There is a difference between these highly trained and credentialed loggers and someone who simply cuts trees. That is why Idaho’s “Pro-Loggers” have developed and continually improve a program to identify and credential professional loggers.

Idaho’s Pro-Logger Program

The Idaho Pro-Logger Program (IPL) is a logger training program designed for the professional timber harvester. It was established in 1998 to meet the educational needs of Idaho logging contractors, loggers, forest owners, and forest products companies.  Secondarily the program seeks to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard and other forest land certification programs.

The Idaho Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) State Implementation Committee has designated the IPL as the official logger training program for Idaho. Idaho companies that are certified with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) also recognize the IPL as the logger training program required for their operations.

The Idaho Pro-Logger Program© is owned and operated by the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho (ALC).  The ALC has two committees to provide oversight and guidance of the IPL:

1.) The Idaho Pro-Logger Sub-Committee whose members are ALC member logging contractors in good standing.

2.) The Idaho Pro-Logger Advisory Committee which consists of logging contractors, forest land owners, representatives of forest products companies and large forest land owners, foresters, the University of Idaho Extension Forestry Department, the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources, the Idaho Department of Lands, advisors from the Idaho State Logging Safety Program, and the safety staff and staff from the ALC.

These committees meet regularly to monitor and guide the program and make recommendations to the ALC Board of Directors for program governance. All final decisions on the governance and operation of the IPL rest with the ALC Board of Directors.

For more information on the IPL contact the ALC: 208-667-6473.

Program Requirements

5496116-LGPTcrop1. To become accredited as an “Idaho Pro-Logger” (IPL) the following basic/core items must be completed, and an application form must be submitted to the Associated Logging Contractors:

  1. The owner/operator and key employees, (as defined by the owner/operator) of a logging firm must take three days of instruction in Best Management Practices (BMPs) including silviculture, forest ecology, and water quality as offered in the current University of Idaho Extension program titled LEAP (Logger Education to Advance Professionalism).
  2. All employees of a firm, including the owner/contractor, will take the logger first aid and safety training that is presented by State of Idaho Logging Safety and Associated Logging Contractors to meet the annual first aid certification and logging safety training requirements of current OSHA and State of Idaho regulations. (clarified 2019)
  3. New employees that were not with the firm at the time of training and who have not received the training with another firm will need to take the training listed in Item B. the first time it is provided in the area.     

Upon completion of these basic/core items, participant will have met the requirements to become accredited in the “Idaho Pro-Logger” program.  Participant must submit application to receive this accreditation. (2012) (clarified 2019)

2. To maintain current status as an “Idaho Pro-Logger”, participant must take 12 credits of continuing education programs each calendar year.  (2012)

Each year, these 12 credits must include the half-day course in the logger first aid and safety training that is presented by State of Idaho Logging Safety and Associated Logging Contractors. First Aid and logging safety training is required by OSHA and the State of Idaho annually.  In addition to the logging First Aid and safety course, these 12 credits will include courses that the owner/contractor and key employees will take that cover the following topics:

  1. awareness of sustainable forestry principles.
  2. best management practices, including streamside management and road construction, maintenance, and retirement.
  3. reforestation, invasive exotic plants and animals, forest resource conservation, aesthetics, and special sites.
  4. awareness of responsibilities under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and other measures to protect wildlife habitat.
  5. awareness of rare forested natural communities.
  6. logging safety.
  7. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, wage and hour rules, and other state and local employment laws.
  8. transportation issues.
  9. business management.
  10. public policy and outreach; and
  11. awareness of emerging technologies.

These courses must come from an approved list of courses.  Courses not on the list can be submitted to the Associated Logging Contractors for approval prior to participants attending the course. (clarified 2019)

Courses delivered via the internet, video, DVD or CD will be considered for credit on a case-by-case basis with documentation. (11/2011)

Generally, one credit hour is given for each hour of instructional time of approved continuing education.  Credits are not given for non-instructional time i.e., driving time, meals (unless accompanied with a presentation).

For credit to be given for a class the participant needs to submit proof of attendance by submitting a form provided by the ALC that is available either directly from the IPL approved class instructor or by calling the ALC office.  This information is matched with the class roster provided by the class instructor.

Class instructors must provide the ALC with copies of registration forms or a final attendance roster, agenda and dates and hours of training. These forms and rosters need to be legible or credit cannot be accurately recorded.

3. IPL accreditation is designated to a company. Individuals may also be IPL accredited if requested by the individual, and if the individual has met the requirements, filed an application and has paid the annual registration fee if a non-ALC member.

4. Basic/Core accreditation as an IPL is current as long as continuing education (CE) requirements are met.

  1. If accredited IPL participant does not get CE requirements for 1 year, they become current by     taking the 12 credits required for that year. (5/2001, 2011)
  2. If accredited IPL participant does not get CE requirements for 3 years or longer participant must            re-take basic/core classes and reapply for accreditation. (5/2004)
  3. If accredited IPL participant is not a member of the Associated Logging Contractors and has not paid the annual registration fee by June 1st the IPL participant will lose accreditation status. (2012)

5. If an applicant has taken the LEAP class, they have three years within which to apply for IPL accreditation.  After 3 years, the applicant is required to re-take LEAP and the other basic/core requirements to become accredited. (5/2004)

6. The ALC keeps records of firms and individuals enrolled in the program and provides related information to loggers, logging contractors, forest products companies and forest owners upon request.  Loggers and logging contractors are encouraged to maintain their own records of education sessions they have attended and are further encouraged to send copies of them to the ALC to be certain they are turned in. The ALC attempts to collect information and attendance rosters on all eligible classes, workshops, etc. but does not receive all of it automatically. (clarified 2019)

7. Washington, Montana, and Oregon have similar “pro-logger” or “accredited logger” programs in place.  Reciprocity varies from state to state.  Final determination of reciprocity determination for the Idaho Pro-Logger Program resides with the IPL owner and administrator – the Associated Logging Contractors.

8. As of January 1, 2012, an annual registration fee will be charged to IPL participants who are not members of the Associated Logging Contractors (ALC). This non-ALC member fee assists in sharing the costs of staff and current technology needed to keep the Idaho Pro-Logger Program operating. ALC members’ dues include the cost of IPL participation.

Registration fees will be charged as follows:

    • $ 150.00 annually for non-ALC member companies who have more than one employee enrolled; and,
    • 75.00 annually for individuals who are non-ALC members, are not employees of IPL companies or who are not employees of SFI & FSC companies that contribute to the ALC to offset record keeping expenses. (clarified 2019)

The annual registration fee is due and payable upon receipt of billing but must be paid no later than June 1st to avoid loss of accreditation status in the IPL Program.

9. The Idaho Pro-Logger Program is owned and operated by the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho (ALC).  The ALC has established two committees to assist in oversight and guidance of the IPL:

  1. the Idaho Pro-Logger Sub Committee whose members are ALC member logging contractors ingood standing; and;
  2. the Idaho Pro-Logger Advisory Committee which consists of logging contractors, forest landowners, representatives of forest products companies and large forest landowners, foresters, the University of Idaho Extension Forestry Department, the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources, the Idaho Department of Lands, the Idaho State Logging Safety Program and the Associated Logging Contractors.  These committees meet regularly to monitor and guide the program and make recommendations to the ALC Board of Directors for program governance.  All final decisions on the governance and operation of the IPL rest with the ALC Board of Directors.

10.  The Idaho Pro-Logger Program has been designated the official logger training program for Idaho by the Idaho SFI State Implementation Committee.

Revised 2019

Recordkeeping

1393189-SMPTcropProfessional logging companies that wish to participate in Idaho’s Pro-Logger program must submit a completed application form to the ALC. The ALC keeps records of firms and individuals enrolled in the program, and furnishes related information to loggers, forest product companies, forest owners, and others upon request. Loggers are also encouraged to maintain their own records of education sessions they have attended.

Locating Continuing Education Classes

The ALC will have a list of conferences, safety meetings, forestry workshops, and other training opportunities offered by Universities, the Idaho Logging Safety program, logging associations, and other groups that are eligible for Idaho Pro-Logger continuing education credits.

Neighboring State Programs

Washington, Montana, and Oregon have similar “pro-logger” or “accredited logger” programs in place. Reciprocity varies from state to state. Ultimately, the forest product companies and forest owners you work with decide whether they recognize a given state’s program. For the most part, credits from continuing education classes taken in other states will meet Idaho Pro-logger continuing education requirements.

For more information on the program, contact the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho at (208) 667-6473.

Idaho Pro-Logger Resources

If you are a Logging Contractor looking for additional information on the specifics of the Idaho Pro-Logger Program, “click here” to go to the Associated Logging Contractors website.

If you are a Forest Landowner looking to contact a professional accredited Idaho Pro-logger, “click here” to go to the ALC Pro-Logger list.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)® and SFI® are service marks of SFI, Inc.