N.H. Code Admin. R. Fors 501.03 – Standards of Conduct

The licensee shall:

(a) Not attempt to practice in any professional field in which the licensee is not certified, registered, licensed, or competent;
(b) Undertake only work for which the licensee is qualified by education and experience;
(c) When serving as an expert or technical witness before any court, commission, or other tribunal, express an opinion only when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts in issue, upon a background of technical competence in the subject matter, and upon honest conviction of the accuracy and propriety of the testimony;
(d) Clearly identify themselves, their employer, and in whose interest they are working, to clients or prospective clients;
(e) Disclose fully in writing to the client any financial or purchase interest the licensee or the licensee’s employer has in the land or timber including the licensee or licensee’s employer’s interest in the stumpage or timber to be harvested and the relationship to the services to be provided by the licensee;
(f) Conscientiously avoid conflicts of interest or even the appearance of such conflicts;
(g) If despite such precaution in (f) above, a conflict of interest is discovered, it shall be promptly and fully disclosed to the client or employer and the licensee shall be prepared to act immediately to resolve the conflict;
(h) Not knowingly issue a false statement or false information;
(i) Advertise only in a truthful manner, stating the services the licensee is qualified and prepared to perform;
(j) Not falsify or permit misrepresentation or exaggeration of the licensee's or the licensee's associates' academic or professional qualifications;
(k) Not misrepresent or exaggerate the licensee's degree of responsibility in or for the subject matter of prior assignments;
(l) Not misrepresent pertinent facts in brochures or other presentations incident to the solicitation of employment concerning employers, employees, associates, joint ventures, or the licensee or their past accomplishments with the intent and purpose of enhancing the licensee's qualifications and work;
(m) Issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on forestry matters which are inspired or paid for by an interested party, or parties, unless such comments are prefaced by explicit identification of the licensee and by disclosing the identities of the party or parties on whose behalf the licensee is speaking;
(n) Not attempt to injure by false statement or dishonest action either directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, or business of another;
(o) Be objective and truthful in all professional reports, statements, or testimony, and include only relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony;
(p) Offer written documentation specifying the services to be provided to the client by the licensee or under the licensee’s supervision, the land upon which the work will be performed, the nature and scope of the work to be performed, and the time period within which the work is to be performed;
(q) Administer timber harvesting operations on behalf of a client or employer only when written contracts are in place between the client or employer and the third party purchasing stumpage;
(r) Disclose fully all direct or indirect costs or obligations of services provided, by the licensee or under the licensee’s supervision, including hourly or daily rates and commissions, as well as exclusive contracts to sell forest products to certain individuals or firms;
(s) Provide complete services requested by client or disclose clearly that such services cannot be provided;
(t) Not disclose information concerning the affairs of the forester's client without the client's express permission;
(u) Not accept compensation or expenses from more than one employer or client for the same service, unless the parties involved are informed and consent;
(v) Not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their agents, or other parties dealing with the licensee's client in connection with the work for which the licensee is responsible;
(w) At all times in the performance of services, abide by applicable federal, state, and municipal laws and regulations;
(x) When asked to practice forestry which deviates from accepted professional standards, advise the client or employer in writing in advance of the known consequences of such deviation;
(y) While in public service as a member, advisor, or employee of a governmental body or department, not participate in considerations or actions with respect to private forestry services provided by the licensee or by the licensee's organization;
(z) Unless the circumstances are fully disclosed to all parties, not solicit or accept a forestry contract from a government body on which a principal or officer of the licensee's organization serves as a member;
(aa) Not contract for the completion of another licensee's contracted work unless reasonable effort has been made to consult with the prior licensee by letter sent via U.S. mail or electronic mail;
(ab) Not engage in or participate in professional or business practices of a fraudulent or dishonest nature;
(ac) Cooperate with investigations and requests for information from the board and the OPLC;
(ad) Present information to the board and the OPLC of licensure for foresters for action, if the licensee has evidence of unprofessional conduct of another forester provided that the licensee possesses reasonably clear evidence that such misconduct is occurring;
(ae) If they possess reasonably clear evidence that a person is practicing forestry without a license or otherwise violating RSA 310-A:98-117, report said person to the OPLC;
(af) Submit only truthful and correct information in any application, other document filed, or statement made, to the board or the OPLC;
(ag) Inform the OPLC of a principal business or home address to which all official communications should be directed, and also of all addresses where they are practicing forestry;
(ah) Report to the OPLC any change of a business or home address within 30 days;
(ai) Not sell nor permit the use of a seal to anyone, recognizing that the seal indicates the licensee’s personal responsibility for the work bearing the licensee’s seal;
(aj) Not affix a signature or seal to any map or document dealing with subject matter in which the licensee lacks competence by virtue of education or experience;
(ak) Not affix the licensee’s signature or seal to any map or document not prepared by licensee or under the licensee's direct supervisory control; and
(al) Affix seal to all plans, maps, reports prepared by the licensee, and to all contracts related to the practice of forestry.
Source. #5222, eff 9-11-91; EXPIRED 9-11-97
New. #6597, INTERIM, eff 10-8-97, EXPIRED: 2-5-98
New. #6876, eff 10-28-98; ss by #8710, eff 8-25-06; ss by #10544, eff 3-13-14; ss by #14087, eff 11-24-24
APPENDIX
Rule
Specific State Statute the Rule Implements
Fors 102.01
RSA 310-A:99
Fors 103.07
RSA 541-A:16, I(a)
Fors 104.02
RSA 310-A:100
Fors 105.02
RSA 310-A:1-d, II(h)(3)
Fors 201.01
RSA 310:6, II
Fors 201.02
RSA 541-A:16, I(b)
Fors 301.01
RSA 310-A:102, VII
Fors 301.02
RSA 310-A:102, II; RSA 310-A:104, I-V
Fors 301.03
RSA 310-A:102, VIII
Fors 301.04
RSA 310-A:102, VII
Fors 301.04 (e)
RSA 310-A:102, V; RSA 310-A:116
Fors 302.01 – Fors 302.06
RSA 310-A:102, II; RSA 310-A:104
Fors 303.01
RSA 310-A:102, III; RSA 310-A:106
Fors 304
RSA 310-A:111
Fors 305
RSA 310-A:107
Fors 305.01
RSA 310-A:107
Fors 305.03
RSA 310-A:107
Fors 400
RSA 310-A:102, IV; RSA 310-A:108; RSA 310-A:109;
RSA 310-A:110
Fors 401.01 – Fors 401.05
RSA 310-A:102, VI; RSA 310-A:109; RSA 310-A:110
Fors 402
RSA 310-A:102, VI, VII, VIII; RSA 310-A:112, I, II
RSA 310-A:114; RSA 310:12, I(e)
Fors 403.01 – Fors 403.03
RSA 310-A:102, VI; RSA 310-A:109; RSA 310-A:110
Fors 403.05 – Fors 403.08
RSA 310-A:102, IV and VII
Fors 501
RSA 310-A:102, VI; RSA 310-A:103