Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §5514, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 261, §4, is amended to read:

2. Professional qualifications. Each applicant for an intern forester license shall submit evidence of an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree from a curriculum in forestry or of graduation from a postgraduate curriculum in forestry leading to a degree higher than a bachelor's degree in a school or college approved by the board. The board may grant a variance to an applicant who does not hold a degree pursuant to rules adopted by the board. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A 2-A.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §5514, sub-§3, śC, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 261, §4, is amended to read:

C. The applicant shall submit 3 references from persons not related to the applicant demonstrating the applicant's good character to work as an intern forester. One of the these references must be from the individual who is proposed to serve as the sponsor.

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §5514, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 261, §4, is amended to read:

5. Renewal. Licenses expire annually on December 31st or on a date the commissioner determines. The board shall issue a renewal license, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection 6, upon receipt of the written request for renewal, the annual fee and evidence of satisfactory completion of continuing education as set forth in subsection 4. Licenses may be renewed up to 90 days after the date of expiration upon payment of a late fee in addition to the renewal fee. A person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license has expired is subject to all requirements governing new applicants under this chapter required to pay a late renewal penalty fee in addition to the 90-day late fee and renewal fee.

Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §5515, sub-§8, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 261, §4, is amended to read:

8. Renewal. Licenses expire annually on December 31st or on a date the commissioner determines. The board shall issue a renewal license upon receipt of the written request for renewal, the annual fee and evidence of satisfactory completion of continuing education as set forth in subsection 7. Licenses may be renewed up to 90 days after expiration upon payment of a late