Information for Out-of-State Loggers

Kentucky law requires that a Kentucky Master Logger be on-site and in charge of commercial logging operations in Kentucky. If you have graduated from a logger education program in another state you may be eligible to apply for Kentucky Master Logger status. Kentucky currently has reciprocity agreements with Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Reciprocity will be considered for loggers that have had appropriate training in chainsaw safety and directional felling, best management practices for water quality protection. You will need to send a copy of the printable Reciprocity Application Form (PDF), a $50 check, and proof of your attendance or graduation from appropriate logger education courses as follows:

• Indiana: copy of the graduation certificate from the Game of Logging, Indiana DNR BMP Program, and your First Aid and Adult CPR card
• Ohio: copy of your certification card
• Tennessee: copy of your graduation certificate
• Virginia: copy of your graduation certificate
• West Virginia: copy of your certification card
• Missouri: Contact Bruce Wayne Widener at Kentucky Division of Forestry headquarters at (606)595-0505 for requirements
• Illinois: Contact Bruce Wayne Widener at Kentucky Division of Forestry headquarters at (606)595-0505 for requirements
• North Carolina: Contact Bruce Wayne Widener at Kentucky Division of Forestry headquarters at (606)595-0505 for requirements

After verification and approval of your logger training the Master Logger office will be notified by Kentucky's timber harvesting compliance staff and you will be receiving;

• A Kentucky Master Logger designation card
• A copy of the Kentucky Master Logger Training Notebook (which includes information on Kentucky's laws and other logger training reference material) and
• Appropriate BMP field guides

If you have any questions about reciprocity, e-mail the Kentucky Division of Forestry's timber harvesting compliance staff at bruce.widener@ky.gov.