Certified Arborist

Arborist Exam Cliff Notes

& Refresher course

Today

ISA Website Certification Tab

Certified Arborist test requirements

Go through many of the domains.

Why is Certification Important

Continued professional development

Tool to assist employers both in training

personnel and selecting new employees

Gives public the opportunity to make an

informed selection of knowledgeable services

Identification – (Professional standards)

Build’s self esteem

Six ISA Credentials

International Society of Arboriculture

Certified Arborist

Certified Arborist Utility Specialist

Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist

Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist

Classroom and field test

Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist

Board Certified Master Arborist

Application Process

http://www.isa-arbor.com/

http://www.isa-arbor.com

Certification tab

Paper or Computer based tests

Paper – Schedule on website

Results in 4 weeks

Computer – Go to a testing facility

Results instantly, but an extra fee

ISA

http://www.isa-arbor.com/about/index.aspx

Application Form

Application form

Experience and education

Important in determining if you qualify.

3 years of related plant, landscaping, tree work

experience. Formal education can substitute for some

of the experience requirement.

Fee

ISA determines if you are qualified to sit for the

test.

Ten Domains

Soil Management – 9%

Tree Identification &

Selection – 11%

Installation and

Establishment – 8%

Safe Work Practices-

11%

Tree Biology- 11%

Pruning – 12%

Diagnosis & Treatment-

9%

Urban Forestry- 7%

Tree Protection and

Preservation - 11%

Tree Risk Mgmt – 11%

The Test

200 multiple choice questions over the 10 focus areas or domains. Each question has 4 choices, and only one is correct.

Trees are referred to by both scientific and common names.

3 ½ hours to complete the test.

Passing score is 72%

Domains are weighted. Average of the ten domains will not be equal to the overall score.

Given several locations in southeast.

Lanier Tech on August 15.

Day of the Exam

You know more than

you realize

Don’t get exam brain

freeze!

Taking the Test

Test Taking Tips

Rest

Plenty of time to arrive at site

and to take test

Study over time, don’t cram

the night before

Answer questions you know

first, then go back to others

Don’t over-think the question

Bring picture ID and pencils

to the exam site.

Retake Opportunities

If you do not achieve an

overall passing score, you

must retake the entire exam.

One time for FREE within 1

year.

$75.00 for each additional

retake.

$100 ADDITIONAL FEE

for computer based exam

retake.

Additional Points

Tests are available in

English and Spanish

Challenge your grade

and request a regrade.

$35.00 charge.

Continuing Education Units

Recertification

Valid for 3 years from passing date.

30 continuing education units (CEUs) and pay the re-certification fee.

June or December. ISA will notify you 1 month prior.

How do I earn credits?

Classes like this one

Georgia Urban Forestry meetings and conferences

Website and Podcasts

Arborist News – Read an article and take a test for CEUs

Other educational meetings

Teach others and submit the course outline

Study Resources

Arborist News

Smart Phone Apps (both are Free!)

LeafSnap – Tree ID quizzes

TreeBook – Tree Identification, info by species,

Plant families, and glossary

http://www.isa-arbor.com

Podcasts

ArborPod

ISA has entertaining and informative free podcasts

that are updated regularly

Available to download or listen to online for FREE.

Subscribe to the podcast and be notified by email or

your phone when a new one is available.

Earn CEUs.

Podcasts – Detective Dendro

Climbing and Rigging

Science of Arboriculture

Arbor views