Professional Loggers Program

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The Professional Loggers Program (PLP) is a voluntary certification program for New Hampshire's loggers. This program teaches basic silviculture, wildlife management, and improving forestland aesthetics. It also teaches forest professionals about laws that govern their work and regulations that need to be followed. Another very important aspect of this course is safety. Every participant receives instruction in basic first aid, CPR, AED and techniques for operating safely and productively.

Certified loggers will have the basic understanding and knowledge necessary to improve their working relationship with New Hampshire's forestry community

Landowners need to also be aware that most large insurers require that loggers and/or foresters working on their land be certified. One of the benefits of an NHTOA membership is access to our database of certified professionals.

To learn more about the New Hampshire Professional Loggers Program and its governing entity, the New Hampshire Timber Harvesting Council (NHTHC), contact Cheri Birch, Program Director at the NHTOA. 

If you would like to know the certification status of a particular logger or loggers, please call the NHTOA office at (603) 224-9699.

Core Course Descriptions

First Aid, CPR, & Worksite Safety

First aid procedures for a variety of common conditions, including muscular, skeletal, and soft tissue injuries. “Hands-On,” training to review bandaging techniques, and emergency remote trauma care for an injured worker. Lastly, to address the increasing emphasis on safety, in addition to emergency response, the program includes a review of safe operation topics, ideas, and mandated regulatory requirements for the modern timber harvester and associated timber operations.

Fundamentals of Forestry

This workshop will give loggers a better understanding of forest management and appropriate applications of silviculture. Course content includes discussion/powerpoints on historical events, current status of New Hampshire forests, Silvicultural principles of New England, Forest types, landowner goals and objectives, tree growth/maturity/vigor, forest regeneration, wildlife habitat, harvesting systems, and loggers function in silviculture. Field sessions will focus on log scaling, grades, and utilization at a sawmill.

Safe and Productive Felling (Basic)

Instructors will provide "hands-on" training for topics in chainsaw maintenance and safety and safe tree felling techniques. Course focus will include demonstration and hands on exercises on hazard identification, escape routes, open facenotching, bore cutting, limbing, bucking, and timber felling. This class will be held on an active logging operation.

N.H. Timber Harvesting Law

A one-day workshop presenting information on New Hampshire’s Timber Harvesting Laws, Wetland Regulations, and the use of Best Management Practices. Practical, hands-on instruction for today’s logging professional. Indoore Session: Timber Tax Law - The specific rules and process regarding the Intent and Report of Cut forms as required, plus other valuable information from the N.H. Department of Revenue Administration. Timber Harvesting Law - Forest Rangers will explain N.H.’s timber harvesting laws, including the details of slash and basal area laws, the timber trespass and deceptive forest practices laws. Wetlands Regulations - Representatives from the N.H. Wetlands Bureau will present information including wetlands identification and the procedure and requirements for preparing the Minimum Impact Notification form. Best Management Practices will also be covered. Field Session: Examples of Best Management Practices for Erosion Control will be obseved in the woods. Please dress for the weather.