Massachusetts Timber Harvesting License Program

Chapter 132, Section 46, of the Forest Cutting Practices Law requires that “no person, firm or corporation engage in the business of harvesting timber or other Forest products for hire or profit shall cut such products on land devoted to forest purposes and for purposes not exempted by Chapter 132, section 44 without first obtaining a license and to do so from the Director who is hereby authorized to issue such licenses, and to withhold or revoke such licenses, after a hearing for failure to comply with Sections 42 to 46, inclusive.”

The legislature provides a penalty of not more than $500.00 for each violation of this law which requires that a license be outstanding in the name of the person, firm or corporation actually cutting forest products, whether on the land of the license holder or the land of another.

Chapter 132 Section 46 of the Massachusetts General Law requires: “Applicants [for timber harvesting licenses] shall demonstrate general familiarity with the laws of the Commonwealth that concern timber harvesting and provide the Director [of the Division of Forest & Parks] such reasonable information as the Director may require concerning the amount and type of forest products cut [harvested, not milled or processed] by the applicant during the previous year.”

This passage refers to loggers of sawtimber and cordwood, including those connected with sawmills.

Therefore prior to issuance of a harvesting license, all applicants are required to demonstrate general familiarity with the pertinent laws of the Commonwealth by either completing at least nine hours of continuing education over three consecutive years or by taking the timber harvester licensing exam.

Below please find helpful information to prepare for the Timber Harvest License exam.

Before the issuance of any license, the Department of Conservation and Recreation is required to file with the Department of Revenue a State Tax Compliance Certificate (found on the application form). Complete the enclosed form and return it to this office with your application. You are required to submit either your Social Security Number or a Federal Identification Number.

Continuing Education is a requirement for maintaining a Massachusetts timber harvester license.  After 3 years of continuous licensure, a license applicant must show proof of nine (9) credits of continuing education of which three (3) of those credits must be focused on the Ch. 132 Forest Cutting Practices Act regulations.  The remaining six (6) credits may be from various educational resources.  Please refer to the THL continuing education policy or send email inquiries to MassTHL@mass.gov

DCR Service Forestry provides training that focuses on the Ch. 132 Forest Cutting Practices Act regulations by offering in-person workshops and is now starting to offer online video tutorials.  See links below for more details:

In-Person Workshops

• 2025 Massachusetts Timber Harvester Workshop Schedule

Pre-registration is required for all workshops.

• Forest Health Workshop Series 2025

Join DCR foresters at this walk and talk field series where they will discuss current forest health concerns in Massachusetts. Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Forest Health workshops are approved for 2 CEUs towards the Massachusetts Timber Harvester License.

Join us on May 29th for Canopy 2025 at the Conference Center at UMass Amherst. Come together with forest landowners, forest industry leaders, and policy makers while engaging in a full day of activities at Canopy 2025. MA Timber Harvesters will earn 4.5 CEUs for attending. Step under the canopy where we can all be innovative! Register Now!

Online Continuing Education

• The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), in partnership with Mass Audubon and the New England Forestry Foundation has created a Timber Harvester Online Best Management Practices and Climate Smart THL Trainings: Register Here

Preview the syllabus which contains course descriptions and includes a step-by-step guide to registering and taking the online courses. Please note, you must have a unique email address to register for this course. One email cannot be used for more than one account.  Instructions on how to create an email address. This training is compatible with computers or tablets and cannot be accessed using cellphones.

• BMPs for Landing Online Training 

For help on how to use this online training, you can watch this short tutorial 

Please see attachment for a complete list of Licensed Timber Harvesters.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation is offering the Timber Mat Pilot Program for Fall 2024. This program offers eligible applicants financial assistance towards new timber mats through a cost-share reimbursement process. The Timber Mat Program is a branch of the Healey-Driscoll Administration's Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative. Please see the program overview document below for more information. Applications are being accepted until November 29th, 2024.