ISA Certified Arborist

Over 14,500 individuals are ISA Certified Arborist in North America

Eligibility:  Three (3) or more years of full time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture or a field related to arboriculture.  An Associate's Degree (AA) in arboriculture from a regionally accredited educational institution, and two (2) years of full time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture.  A Bachelors of Arts or Sciences (BA or BS) degree from a regionally accredited educational institution in the fields of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry and one (1) year of full time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture or a field related to arboriculture.

Experience:  Eligible practical experience will include full-time professional work experience which requires the regular practical use of knowledge involved in arboriculture and tree care, including pruning, fertilization, installation and establishment, diagnosis and treatment of tree problems, cabling and bracing, climbing or other services directly related to arboriculture.

Membership:  Membership is not required to take the certification exam.  As ISA members provide financial support to the Certification Program through membership fees, members in good standing will be charged lower certification fees.  Both members and non-members will be charged certification and exam fees that reflect the appropriate considerations including the cost of providing the exam at the candidate's chosen location.

Fees:
Examination:
     Members (ISA and Chapter)=U.S. $125
     Non-members=U.S. $225
     Retake Fee=U.S.  $25

Recertification:
     Member=U.S. $100
     Non-member=U.S. $200

Examination:  Structure - The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions.  The domains or subjects covered are:

1. Tree Nutrition and Fertilization  5.5%

2. Installation and Establishment  9%

3. Tree Biology  13%

4. Tree, Soil & Water Relations  6.5%

5. Identification & Selection  9.5%

6. Safe Work Practices  11.5%

7. Pruning  12%

8. Diagnosis & Treatment  11%

9. Cabling, Bracing & Lightning Protection  4.5%

10. Trees, People & Ecology  3%

11. Tree Risk Assessment  7.5%

12. Construction/Preservation  7%

Study Materials:  Arborists' Certification Study Guide, Arboriculture, Integrated Management of Landscape Trees, Tree Maintenance, New Tree Biology, ANSI Z133.1, ANSI A300, Horticopia, Arborists Edition