Interested in Becoming a Certified Sawyer? You’re in the right place!
COTA Saw Class Dates:
Upcoming Advanced Training:
- Initial Chainsaw Training: May 3-4, 2025, Bend, Oregon - To register: Click Here
- Initial Crosscut Training: May 17-18 2025, Bend, Oregon - To register: Click Here
Upcoming Advanced Training:
- Opportunities listed on our current sawyer page: Click Here
Why Get Certified?
According to the National Saw Policy (FSM 2358), any saw operation on USFS land involving material over 5" in diameter requires certification from a USFS-recognized saw program. This applies to both chainsaws and hand saws (crosscut saws).
Nationally Recognized Saw Training Courses
Certified sawyers complete a required 2-day Saw Training Course, ensuring they are trained, prepared, and safe while working in the field. Certification is not just for USFS volunteers—homeowners, professionals and agency staff can benefit from saw training as well.
Requirements for Saw Training
Certified Sawyer Levels
Sawyer certifications correspond to skill and experience:
Complexity Levels: Sawyer certifications align with the ability to assess hazards, manage risks, and apply the appropriate techniques:
Get Started
If you’re ready to become a certified sawyer or need recertification:
According to the National Saw Policy (FSM 2358), any saw operation on USFS land involving material over 5" in diameter requires certification from a USFS-recognized saw program. This applies to both chainsaws and hand saws (crosscut saws).
- 5" Diameter Rule: This standard applies to both bucking (cutting a downed tree into sections) and felling (cutting a standing tree).
- Focus on Bucking: 99.9% of volunteer work involves bucking to clear trails. Currently, COTA trains sawyers exclusively in bucking but plans to introduce felling training within the next year.
Nationally Recognized Saw Training Courses
Certified sawyers complete a required 2-day Saw Training Course, ensuring they are trained, prepared, and safe while working in the field. Certification is not just for USFS volunteers—homeowners, professionals and agency staff can benefit from saw training as well.
Requirements for Saw Training
- Before taking a saw class, you must have a current OSHA-approved First Aid/CPR certification with an in-person evaluation. An inexpensive, local CPR/1st Aid class is taught every month in Sisters.
- Must be at least 18 years old
Certified Sawyer Levels
Sawyer certifications correspond to skill and experience:
- (A) A Sawyer: Sawyers in training who may cut in low-complexity situations under direct supervision of a B or C-level sawyer.
- (B) B Sawyer: Can work in moderately complex situations without higher-level supervision.
- (BE) B Evaluator: Experienced B-level sawyers qualified to teach, train, and evaluate A-level sawyers. Known as "Super Bs."
- (C) C Sawyer: Qualified to handle the most complex situations and teach, train, and evaluate A and B sawyers. Evaluations require a C Evaluator and another C Sawyer present.
- (CE) C Evaluator: C Sawyers authorized to evaluate at the C level.
Complexity Levels: Sawyer certifications align with the ability to assess hazards, manage risks, and apply the appropriate techniques:
- A Complexity: Low complexity (e.g., small trees, minimal hazards).
- B Complexity: Moderate complexity (e.g., medium-sized trees, some hazards).
- C Complexity: High complexity (e.g., large trees, steep terrain, significant hazards).
Get Started
If you’re ready to become a certified sawyer or need recertification:
- Contact Joe Myers, COTA Saw Program Coordinator
- If you would like to be added to our sawyer or swamper email list, send us a request
- Fill out our Sawyer Information Request Form
