How to Get Certified

What is Trained Logger Certification?

The Trained Logger Certification (TLC) program was developed to recognize individual loggers in New York state who have committed to advancing their skills, professionalism, and safety on site, in the woods, and on the roads. Although participation is voluntary, the New York State Implementation Committee of the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) recognizes TLC as meeting the standards for logger education, and many SFI participating companies require TLC as a requisite for delivering wood. TLC is also required by the New York City Watershed Agricultural Council for participation in their cost-share initiatives. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) also requires TLC certification for working on State Forest lands.

As of 2026, the TLC designation requires the completion of three (3) "Core" training workshops and areas of knowledge and skills, as well as three (3) credits of additional continuing education and training over a 3-year period to maintain TLC status.

The “CORE” TLC training areas include:

Chainsaw Operation, Safety, & Productivity (Game of Logging I);
Environmental Concerns (Forest Ecology & Silviculture); and
Adult First Aid & CPR (which should be retaken every 2 years to maintain preparedness and skill readiness)

TLC training workshops, particularly core workshops, are supported and offered through NYLT and administered by the Empire State Forest Products Association (ESFPA), with a full slate of diverse offerings across the state concentrated in the fall and spring and published and distributed as schedules. NYLT also work regularly with several training partners, such as the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) in the Catskill region, or organizations offering First Aid & CPR training, with many of their regularly-scheduled workshops aligning with and counting toward these three core requirements.

Maintaining TLC Status: "3 Over 3" Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education is the backbone of TLC. After initial certification is achieved, three (3) Continuing Education credits are required over the next three (3) years, in addition to maintaining a current First Aid & CPR status card.

Led by loggers, NYLT's board seeks to minimize the costs of TLC continuing education participation; thus there is an effort to leverage the wide-variety of training already in place across the forestry industry to meet the programmatic requirements, including online training options vetted in advance and available through this website hub as well as in our published training schedules. TLC participants may also meet core requirements and continuing education requirements by completing workshops offered through other organizations they seek out on their own, subject to proof of course completion (participant responsibility), as well as review and final approval of NYLT curriculum committee. To ensure these courses "qualify" for TLC pre-approval is encouraged as a best practice to avoid a course being rejected after the fact.

NYLT Administrative Fee in Addition to Workshop/Training Fees

In addition to any charges for training/workshops charged by the host/training organization, participants are required to pay a $25 Administrative Fee to NYLT to register credits they have taken outside of the network.

Who is Eligible for Certification?

Any person is eligible to be certified upon completing TLC training, and is provided with a certificate and an ID card to demonstrate the accomplishment. TLC applies to individual loggers, not the company that they may work for. Although this program is designed for loggers, any interested individuals may participate in any of the workshops that are offered.

What are the Objectives of Becoming TLC?

The TLC program was designed with the following objectives in mind:

To improve skills, productivity, safety, and abilities of timber harvesters
To address public concerns about timber harvesting by encouraging the use of best harvesting techniques, and preclude unnecessary regulations
To help keep timber harvesters viable in New York
To increase the use of Best Management Practices for Timber Harvesting
To protect soil and water quality during and after forest management operations
To address OSHA logging standards and requirements for employers
To attain potential cost reduction in insurance (Workman’s Compensation) premiums and/or increase the access to such insurance
To achieve increased public and government satisfaction with the quality of timber harvesting operations
To increase environmental protection, and conservation policies.

How do I Recieve my TLC?

All of the following requirements of the core courses for certification must be completed within a three (3) year period. All documentation must be received by the NYLT office, and any associated fees must be paid before a TLC certificate will be awarded. It is an individual’s responsibility to provide proof of completion of required classes to the NYLT office. TLC certificates are processed and sent on a monthly basis. Initial certification is valid for three (3) years from the date of issue. IMPORTANT: Please keep New York Logger Training informed of any change of address.

To become certified, applicants must successfully complete training in these three (3) core areas:

Environmental Concerns: This requirement is met by completing the NYLT Forest Ecology & Silviculture workshop. Offered in each NYLT region, usually in the fall or spring as necessary. Contact the NYLT office to find the next workshop in your area ($25 administrative fee required for credit).
Chainsaw Operation, Safety, & Productivity: This requirement is met by completing the Game of Logging™ Level 1. Most NYLT Regions host a number of these workshops during the fall and spring. In addition, other organizations such as Catskill Forest Association, W.J. Cox, and others may also schedule the course. If taking a course not hosted by NYLT, participants are responsible for sending a copy of their course certificate to the NYLT office in order to receive credit ($25 administrative fee required for credit).
Adult First Aid & CPR: NYLT recognizes American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or National Safety Council certification as being valid for this requirement. Most NYLT Regions conduct these courses throughout the year. An individual may also obtain credit by attending standard First Aid or CPR classes sponsored by other organizations in their communities. If taking a course not hosted by NYLT, participants are responsible for sending a copy of their course certificate to the NYLT office in order to receive credit.

Important: Certificates are valid for two years. You must retake an approved course every two years to maintain active TLC status. Also note: NYLT does not host these classes directly. Loggers must locate and register for an approved course independently using the options below.

Approved Providers & Direct Links

Click any provider below to search for available classes near you:

American Health & Safety Institute (HIS) Training Centers - Accepted Courses: Adult First Aid/CPR/AED
American Red Cross - Accepted Courses: Adult First Aid/CPR/AED
American Heart Association - Accepted Courses: Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED, Basic Life Support (BLS)
National Safety Council - Accepted Courses: First Aid, CPR & AED

Additional Ways to Find Local Classes

County Emergency Services Director: Emergency services personnel hold regular classes that frequently have open public spots.
Local Fire Departments & Hospitals
Nearby Community Colleges & Community Centers
Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC): WAC hosts an Adult First Aid and CPR class every spring and fall in Delaware County, NY specifically for loggers. Visit the WAC Logger Education page for upcoming dates.
Regional YMCAs:

How do I Maintain My TLC Status?

In order to maintain their certification, participants must take an additional three (3) credits of Continuing Education over the next three (3) years, and maintain current First Aid & CPR status. NYLT encourages individuals to participate in workshops that are of interest to them, or are most beneficial to their particular job. As examples, some topics eligible for Continuing Education Credits include:

Advanced levels (2, 3 & 4) of the Game of Logging™
BMP or Water Quality
Business and Management
Safety and Hazard Avoidance
Computer and Internet Understanding
Wildlife Habitat & Management
Timber grading/scaling/estimating/purchasing

NYLT constantly reviews courses offered by various partners and organizations for Continuing Education credits. To see if a course qualifies, send the course name, host/provider, and description (brochure) or agenda to the NYLT office. It is advised that approval for credits be done prior to course participation.

Each year NYLT schedules a limited number of Continuing Education courses. Contact the NYLT office if you need a fall or spring course calendar. Other organizations that schedule workshops that are pre-approved for NYLT Continuing Education credits include Northeastern Loggers Association, W.J. Cox Associates, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, and Catskill Forest Association. To receive credit for workshops not hosted by NYLT it is the individual’s responsibility to send proof of completion to the NYLT office.

Where Can I Find Third Party Continuing Education (CE) Providers?

New York Logger Training (NYLT) regularly reviews courses, events, and workshops offered by partner organizations for Continuing Education (CE) credits. Important: To request credit approval for a course, send the course name, host/provider, and agenda or brochure to NYLT prior to participating.

In-State Providers (New York)

Game of Logging Training Organizations
WJ Cox (Trust Fund Area Meetings)
Local Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM):
Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office

Out of State

NYLT accepts CE credits from out-of-state trainings. To receive credit, you must submit:
1. An agenda for NYLT approval prior to the training.
2. A certificate or letter of attendance after the training is complete.

Northern Tier Hardwood Association
Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)
Connecticut Professional Timber Producers Association
Massachusetts Forest Alliance
Vermont Logger Education to Advance Professionalism (LEAP)
Northeastern Loggers’ Association
Northeast Professional Logging Contractor Trainings
Master Logger Workshops
You do not have to be a Master Logger to attend these workshops.

Online Trainings

TLC Certification allows up to 1 credit per renewal period to be completed online. A certificate of attendance or letter is required for all online training.

NYLT Pre-Approved On-Demand Webinars
Convenient online webinars offering credits for loggers seeking recertification at any level.
Note: Have your NYLT Logger ID ready when signing up (contact NYLT if you don't know it). Upon completion, you will receive an email certificate. For immediate credit, forward that email directly to NYLT; standard processing takes approximately 4 weeks.
Sign up for ForestConnect webinar notifications
An educational and applied research program supporting private woodland management. Offers regular webinars (registration required).
SUNY ESF Professional Development Webinars

Defensive Driving Course CE Information

Driving safely on the road is just as critical as safety on the landing or in the woods. To make maintaining your Trained Logger Certification (TLC) as convenient as possible, New York Logger Training accepts NY State DMV-approved Defensive Driving courses (online or in-person) for 1 CE credit. To get your CE credit:

Take the Course: Complete any New York State DMV-approved 6-hour Defensive Driving course (Point and Insurance Reduction Program / PIRP), online or in person.
Submit Your Certificate: Send a copy of your course completion certificate to NYLT via mail or email.
Earn Your Credit: Receive 1 CE credit applied directly toward your TLC renewal. You may apply a Defensive Driving course for 1 CE credit once every 3 years (within your TLC renewal cycle).

Bonus Benefit: In addition to earning your logger CE credit, completing a NYS-approved Defensive Driving course can reduce up to 4 points on your driving record and earn you a 10% auto insurance discount for 3 years!

Find a class with one of the following organizations:

Can I get Continuing Education Credits before my Original TLC?

YES. But only one credit can be awarded, and the class must have been completed within 1 calendar year of the date the certificate is issued. Now you only need 2 more credits of Continuing Education before October 2006 to keep your TLC status current.

Who Keeps Track of All This Stuff, and What Does it Cost?

NYLT maintains the official database to track and verify each individual participating in the TLC program. Whenever you take a workshop hosted by NYLT, the administrative fees are included in the cost of the workshop, and the participant’s data is automatically updated.

Many seminars and workshops are NOT hosted by NYLT. Organizations like the Northeastern Loggers Assn., W.J. Cox, SUNY ESF, Watershed Agricultural Council, and Catskill Forest Association all host their own topical in-person workshops (in addition to hosting NYLT courses as well). For these classes, an individual must submit the certificate of completion, and a $25.00 administration fee, in order to receive Continuing Education credit.

Beginning July 1st, 2024, an administration, 'recording fee' will be charged for any online courses taken outside of the New York Logger Training network. There will be a $10 fee per quarter credit / $25 for a full credit (4 total courses) taken within one calendar month. Loggers may take up to 1 credit in online courses per renewal (i.e., 2 credits must be in-person continuing education).

How Can I Check on My Status?

To find out what classes or credits you need, or when your certification expires, contact the NYLT Office. Course schedules and other info are online at www.newyorkloggertraining.org. Course schedules are released for the Spring and Fall seasons.