ISA Certified Arborist Programme

1.1 Introduction

Certification is a voluntary programme which provides recognition of an arborist's professional knowledge by their peers. INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE (ISA) Certified Arborist recognition is given by the ISA to those who
(a) meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the examination as set forth in this application,
(b) successfully complete the examination and
(c) maintain the necessary number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to recertify after three years.

The objectives of the Certification programme are:

To be an educational programme that will improve technical competency of the personnel in the tree care industry;
To create incentives for these individuals to continue their professional development;

To provide the public and those in local government with a means to identify those professionals who have demonstrated, through a professionally developed exam and education programme, that they have a thorough knowledge of current tree care practices.

The benefits of the Certification programme include:

Certification builds an individual's self-image. By studying for and passing the exam, individuals reaffirm to themselves and their peers a thorough knowledge and dedication to arboriculture.


Certification affords the public and those in local government the opportunity to make an informed selection of services based on the knowledge represented by the Certification designation.


The process of becoming Certified and maintaining the designation (via CEUs), provides incentives to the individual to continue his/her ongoing professional development.


Certification is a tool to help the employer both in training their personnel and selecting new employees.

2.1 Exam Domains
The Certification examination will be weighted under the following domains:

1 Pruning 13.5 %
2 Tree Biology 13.0 %
3 Diagnosis & Treatment 12.0 %
4 Identification & Selection 11.5 %
5 Climbing, Safety & Working in the Tree 11.5 %
6 Statutory Tree Protection 9.5 %
7 Installation & Establishment 7.0 %
8 Trees & Construction Sites 7.0 %
9 Soil & Water Relations 6.0 %
10 Tree Nutrition & Fertlisers 5.0 %
11 Cabling & Bracing 4.0 %

2.2 Arborists Certification Study Guide

The Arborists Certification Study Guide, published by ISA, is intended to serve as a recommended programme of study. Each chapter in the study guide also lists additional further reading/references which should be considered for review. The guide has been revised by the United Kingdom & Ireland (UK&I) Chapter. All the domains listed above are covered in the guide.

NOTE: The Arborists Certification Study Guide, should NOT be considered the sole source of information
for the Certification examination.

2.3 How the Examination was Developed

The Certification examination was developed by a panel of industry experts representing all aspects of arboriculture. The questions and domains were derived from a job analysis survey conducted with arborist, from around the United Kingdom. Questions are constantly analysed by the ISA Certification Test Committee - including the UK&I Chapter - using the latest test statistics. New questions are constantly being developed. Questions which do not perform satisfactorily are removed from the question bank. New examinations are created regularly selecting 190 questions (see 2.4 below) out of the question bank. The Certification guide and examination was adapted - in late 1997 - by the UK&I Chapter for use in this region. A full pilot was undertaken prior to the programme launch. 2.4 The Format of the Examination The Certification examination consists of 200 multiple choice questions of which 190 are drawn from the question bank: 10 are tree identification samples. Each question has four listed choices, only one of which is correct. The answer to each question can be derived independently of the answer to any other question. Whenever trees are referred to on the exam, both scientific and common names will be given.

Candidates have 3.5 hours to complete the examination. It is always advisable to first answer the questions that are easy for you, skipping over those questions which require reconsideration and more thought. Working in such a manner, you should feel no time pressure since 3.5 hours should be enough time to complete the examination.

2.5 Passing Scores on the Examination

To pass the examination, candidates must achieve an overall score of at least 72%, which means the first 144 questions correctly answered.

2.6 Attainment of Certification

If both the overall passing score and the domain passing scores are achieved, the candidate will pass as an ISA Certified Arborist and will receive a certificate, a wallet ID card, an advertising logo sheet, a hard-hat decal and a patch. If an overall passing score is achieved, but the applicant does NOT score the minimum (or above) on any of the domains, the candidate must retake and score a passing level in those domain(s) not passed. If an overall passing score is NOT achieved, the applicant must retake the entire exam. A candidate may retake the domains/full exam, free of charge, up to one year from the original examination date.

2.7 Denial and Revocation of Certification

Certification will be denied or revoked for any of the following reasons:

• Falsification of application.
• Violation of testing procedures.
• Misrepresentation.
• Failure to pass the examination.


Denials or revocations of Certification may be appealed to the Certification Board.

3.1 Examination Eligibility Requirement

The ISA Certification Board requires a candidate to have a minimum of three years experience (see degree in related fields below) in arboriculture. Acceptable experiences will include practical use/supervision of pruning; fertilisation; installation and establishment; diagnosis and treatment of tree problems; cabling and bracing; climbing or other services that directly relate to arboriculture. Examples of experience sources include but are not limited to:

Tree Care Companies

Utility Personnel

Nursery Personnel

Researchers/Instructors of Arboriculture/Horticulture

Landscape Personnel Forestry Companies

Local Government Consultant/Consulting Arborists

The eligibility requirement may also be satisfied with a two or four year degree in a related field and two years practical/supervisory experience.

By submitting your application, you authorise the ISA Certification staff to contact the practical/supervisory experience contact named on your application, to substantiate your eligibility.

The ISA Certification programme does not discriminate in determining eligibility on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

3.2 Recertification

The ISA Certified Arborist designation is valid for three years. In order to maintain the Certification at the end of that three year period, you must have accumulated the necessary 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and pay the renewal fee.

Renewal dates will occur on June 30 or December 31, depending on the date on which you sat the exam. You will be notified when it is time to renew your Certification. You will also be notified every six months in respect of the number of CEUs you have accumulated to date.

If you do not achieve the necessary number of CEUs, you may retake the examination. You will need to pay the full fees required to take the examination.

3.3 Test Dates and Application Deadlines

Certification exams may be taken at the UK&I Chapter designated test centres, ISA Chapter meetings and educational seminars. For more information on location and dates of Certification exams in your area contact the UK&I Chapter on 0121 556 8302

For an additional fee, examinations may also be given by proctors at a time and location agreed upon by the candidate(s) and the proctor. To request information on approved proctors and proctored exams contact the UK&I Chapter.

Applications and proper payment must be received by the ISA European office no later than twelve working days before a scheduled exam. There will be no exceptions. Applications received after that deadline will be filed for the next scheduled exam in the area.

3.4 Special Requirements for Candidates with Disabilities

All test sites are accessible to all examinees. However, some individuals with disabilities may need special requirements, such as extra time or assistance with writing or reading. Oral exams are available by request. If you need such arrangements, include in your application a letter explaining your requirements. It should describe the nature of the functional limitations as they apply to taking a standardised, multiple-choice examination and the specific requirements needed for testing. These arrangements, if approved by the Certification staff, will be provided at no additional charge.

4.1 Confirmation

Approximately one to two weeks after your application is received by the ISA European office, you will receive a confirmation letter, a tree list for the ID portion of the exam, and a form with the date and time of the exam, directions to the exam site and the appropriate contact person.

If there is a problem with the application and/or fees you will be contacted by the ISA European Office to address/correct the problem. If it is not corrected you will not be allowed to sit for the exam.

4.2 Rescheduling Exams

If circumstances change after you have applied for the examination, you may call the ISA European Office to have your exam rescheduled to the next available date.

4.3 Refunds

If you do not attend the exam, you cannot receive a refund. Your application will be held for up to one year or until you contact the ISA European Office and reschedule for the next available exam.

5.1 Admission for Testing

To be admitted for testing, you must arrive at the testing site on time and have your identity confirmed by presentation of ID. Eligible ID includes a driver's license and/or a passport.

5.2 Testing Site Rules

Candidates should report to the testing site no later than 30 minutes before the examination starting time. The exact reporting time, date and location of the examination will be enclosed in your confirmation packet. You must be on time; the administration will begin promptly.

Dress appropriately. While every attempt is made to provide a comfortable testing temperature, heating or cooling may sometimes not function properly.

You should take several sharpened Number 2 pencils with erasers. For accurate scoring of your answer sheet - by the computer scoring programme - only Number 2 pencils can be used. Ink or ball-point pens must NOT be used.

You are encouraged to use a calculator during the examination, however, it is not required. Only silent, non-printing, battery or solar powered calculators will be allowed. Sharing of calculators is not permitted. All calculations may be completed without the use of a calculator.

Books, papers or other reference material must be placed on the floor or at the back of the room.

Scrap paper will be provided on the back of the exam evaluation form. DO NOT WRITE ON THE TEST BOOKLET.

No food or beverages may be taken into the testing room.

No smoking will be allowed in the testing room.

You may raise your hand if you have a question about the exam and the proctor or assistant will try to assist you.

Visitors are not allowed in the testing room.

You will be permitted to take restroom breaks on an individual basis.

If you are caught looking at other individual's exams or talking during the examination, scores may be invalidated or exam materials confiscated. It is of utmost importance that all candidates carefully follow all directions and regulations. Listen carefully to all instructions given by the proctor and follow the directions completely.

6.1 Failure to Sit for Your Examination If you do not sit for the examination, you can call the ISA European Office and reschedule for the next available test date. For an additional fee, you can take an individual examination using a proctor.

6.2 How Your Exam Is Scored

Answer sheets are electronically scanned and scored, and the data stored on computer files from which score reports are generated. The Certification Test Committee understands the importance of your test results and uses many quality control procedures, both computer and manual, during and after the scoring process to ensure the accuracy of score reports.

6.3 Your Score Report

Your individual score report will be mailed approximately four to six weeks after your test date. It will give your overall test score as well as each of the domain scores in percentages. You will also receive a congratulatory letter if you have passed the exam. Please remember that since each domain is weighted, the overall score is not the arithmetic average of the domain scores.

6.4 Examination Results

Your scores are strictly confidential. Therefore, results cannot be obtained over the phone or by fax. If you have questions concerning your test results, you should direct them in writing to the ISA European Office. However, because of the need to maintain test security, test booklets cannot be made available for review of the questions/answers. The Certification programme does NOT provide a list of questions you answered incorrectly or correctly. The only information available regarding your performance on the test is provided on your score report.

6.5 Notification of Certification

The Certification staff will send, along with the score report, a congratulatory letter, CEU attendance forms, hard-hat decal, advertising logo sheet, and a patch. A wallet ID card and certificate will be sent 4-6 weeks later. 6.6 Re-examination If you do not pass the exam, you will receive your score sheet, a letter explaining the retake process and a retake application. You may retake as often as necessary, providing the retake application is filed. The retakes are free of charge if they occur within one year of the original testing date and are taken at a scheduled exam.

6.6 Certification Renewal

ISA Arborist Certification is valid for three years. To retain Certification after each three year period, Certified Arborists must recertify. The ISA Certification programme offers two methods of recertification. The first method is to retake and repass the Certification exam. The second option is to accumulate at least 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) over the three-year period. CEUs can be obtained by a variety of means. One hour of credit is equal to one hour of seat time at an approved seminar. Seminars can be approved before or after they occur. Credits can also be obtained through Measured Learning (MLs) credits. MLs include ISA and other home study programmes, plus Arborist News CEU articles. Credits that will be accepted into the recertification programme include any course, seminar, workshop, etc. that relate to any of the domains on the examination. (see section 2) You will receive a more detailed explanation of CEUs when you receive your Certification packet.

ISA AND CHAPTER: MEMBER NON-MEMBER Certification Exam Fee £/é100.00 £/é150.00 To be eligible for the member rate, each applicant must be a member of the ISA and a member of the UK&I Chapter. To order an Arborist Certification Study Guide contact the UK&I Chapter.

1) Please write the date of the desired scheduled exam or write next available if you do not have a scheduled exam date.
2) Please write the location of the scheduled exam or write closest available if you do not have a scheduled location.
3) Print your last name, followed by your first name and your middle initial.
4) Print your business name, address, phone number, and fax number.
5) Print your home address and phone number.
6A) Please tick the appropriate box as to how you would like to be listed in the Certified Arborist lists.
6B) Please tick the box if you do NOT want your listing to appear in the Certified Arborist lists.
6C) Please tick the appropriate box as to where you would like to receive all of your mail pertaining to your Certification.
7) Please tick yes if you are a member of the ISA. It is important to write in your ISA member ID number. If you are applying for membership, you may pay the member rate, but a separate cheque and membership application must accompany the Certification application.
8) If you are requesting special requirements, be sure to include your letter of request.
9) Please completely fill out the Educational Experience section. Be sure to fill out the course type and Total Time as this portion can apply to your overall experience requirement.
10) Please complete all of the section on Practical Experience. If this section is not completed correctly, your application will not be accepted.
11) You must include the appropriate fees with your application.
12) Please be sure that you sign and date the application form.

If you have further questions while you are filling out the application, please contact the ISA on 0121 556 8302.