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Continuing Education Requirements

SHARP Logger Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Each SHARP Logger must complete at least twelve (12) hours of approved Continuing Education (CE) credit every 3 years in order to maintain current SHARP Logger status.

***Note that beginning with SHARP Logger renewals on or after 1/1/18, SHARP Loggers are required to attend at least one of the required “SHARP Logger Update” classes during each 3 year renewal period. These will be face to face classes and additional details on these classes will be on the website and in future newsletters.

At least six (6) of the CE credit hours within the 3-year period must be either:

a) A Virginia SHARP Logger program, or

b) An approved* formal short course or workshop (Examples: a Forest Landowner Council Short Course, a VFA or Virginia Tech Extension workshop, or a VDOF workshop or field demonstration), or

c) An approved* Adult Education (or equivalent) course from a High School, Community College, or other educational institution (Examples: welding course, computer course, EMT training, etc.), or

d) Any course or program with applied Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) contact hours sanctioned by the Society of American Foresters.

The above will accrue one credit hour per participation hour.

No more than six (6) of the CE credits within the 3-year period may be satisfied by either:

a) Service as Board Chairman, Board Member, or local Chapter Chairman of the Virginia Loggers Association; or Board Member of the American Loggers Council,

b) Approved* service as Chair or Member of a significant state or local Committee, Task Force, Board or Commission. (Examples: Forestry Water Quality Task Force, Sustainable Forestry Committee, County Zoning or Planning Commission, Farm Bureau Forestry Committee, Board of Supervisors, etc.), or

c) Approved* formal presentations or tours that promote logging professionalism to state, regional or local groups or organizations. (Examples: presentation to local schools, hosting a group tour of your operation, presentation to civic clubs or local government body, etc.)

d) Membership in the Virginia Forestry Association (VFA) will count for 1 credit hour.

e) Membership in the Virginia Loggers Association (VLA) will count for 1 credit hour.

* To be submitted to SHARP Logger Program Coordinator (or other group or individual selected by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee) for approval. Credit hours per position held or event will be assigned when evaluated.

 

Example CE Credit Scenario:

  • If you are a Current SHARP Logger with a Renewal Date of January 1, 2020.
  • On January 1, 2020:
    • If you have earned a total of 12 or more CE credits AND have attended the required “SHARP Logger Update” class, your SHARP Logger Status will renew for 3 more years. Your new Renewal Date will be 1/1/2023. Your CE credits go back to zero and you will have until 1/1/2023 to earn 12 more CE credits.
    • If you have less than 12 CE Credits or have not completed the “SHARP Logger Update” class your SHARP Logger Status will expire and you will be dropped from the current SHARP Logger listing. You will no longer be a SHARP Logger, but you may regain your SHARP Logger status by bringing your total CE credits up to 12 before 1/1/2021. If you do not regain your SHARP status within 1 year after it expires you will have to retake the entire core program if you want to become a SHARP Logger again. Note that when your SHARP Logger status renews, your CE credits go back to zero, and you must earn 12 more CE credits in the next 3 years. CE credits do not “carry over” if you have earned more than 12.