How to Become a Certified Arborist and Grow Your Career

What does an arborist do?

Also known as tree surgeons, arborists are professionals in the field of arboriculture. Arborists care for trees, bushes, shrubs, and other large perennials to keep them strong and healthy.

This is essential because trees provide clean oxygen and help fight climate change. Trees also help improve the beauty of an area so people can enjoy their surroundings.

These trained professionals can work in either the private or public sector. They can be independent contractors or employees at tree care companies, institutions, or parks, and urban forestry departments.

Below are just some of the tasks that an arborist may need to complete:

• Create a landscaping plan with tree varieties and maintenance, soil, and space requirements
• Plant new trees, shrubs, and woody plants
• Transplant young trees, including backfilling, staking, watering, and mulching
• Test, monitor, and maintain soil conditions
• Inspect trees and shrubs for damage, disease, and pests
• Assess tree size, age, and value
• Repair damaged trees and treating tree disease
• Inspect tree care equipment for functionality and safety
• Prune trees and trim branches using chainsaws, hand saws, pruning shears, and loppers
• Grind stumps and remove debris after pruning and trimming
• Provide tree identification and remove dead or damaged branches, trees, and shrubs
• Apply fertilizer and pesticide to trees
• Record and report on tree care activities
• Supervise landscaping and groundskeeping teams
• Monitor and report on the health of trees, groves, or forests

Do you need a license to be an arborist?

If you live in one of these states, you’re required to have a tree care or arborist license:

• California arborists need to register with the Contractors State License Board.
• Connecticut arborists need a commercial arborist license.
• Hawaii arborists need to register with the Contractors License Board.
• Louisiana arborists must hold an arborist or utility arborist license through the Louisiana Horticulture Commission.
• Maine arborists need an arborist license to provide independent arboricultural services. Apprentice training permits are also available for supervised tree work.
• Maryland arborists must be a licensed tree expert to practice tree care.
• Minnesota arborists must join the Tree Care Registry.
• New Jersey tree care businesses must register with the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts. There must be at least one full-time licensed tree expert or tree care operator on staff.
• Rhode Island arborists need a standard arborist license to practice arboriculture. A limited utility arborist license is also available for arborists who work with utility providers.

Each license comes with its own requirements, like previous experience, tree service insurance, passing a written exam, and paying a licensing fee.

On the other hand, if you’re wondering how to become an arborist in another state, all you need is an occupational license. However, certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is still a good idea.

Depending on the arborist job description and what tasks you’ll be doing, some employers may also require you to hold additional licenses like:

• Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) certification is required if you’ll be applying certain pesticides on the job. Contact the Pesticide Safety Education Program in your state for training materials. You can then visit your local certifying agency to register for your exam.
• A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is necessary if you’ll be driving a company vehicle to and from the worksite. Contact your state licensing bureau or local Department of Motor Vehicles to complete your CDL application and requirements.

What is the ISA certification process?

The certification process has a specific order you’ll need to follow without skipping any steps. Here’s how it works.

1.   Confirm your eligibility

Start by checking ISA’s minimum requirements (in the following section) before you apply, including the roles that qualify you to become a certified arborist.

Most people becoming a certified arborist qualify with at least three years of full-time arboriculture experience, or a mix of education and hands-on work.

2.   Submit your application and documentation

Once you know you’re eligible, complete the ISA Certified Arborist application through the ISA website or your local chapter. You’ll upload documents like employment records, transcripts, or supervisor letters that confirm your experience.

Double-check the details in your application to avoid delays. Approval typically takes 4–6 weeks, even when your application includes all the necessary details.

3.   Pay the exam fee

After the ISA approves your application, you’ll receive instructions to pay the exam fee. The cost is $295 for ISA members and $369 for nonmembers.

4.   Schedule the exam

Once you’ve paid, you’ll receive your exam eligibility ID and scheduling instructions. You can choose online or in-person testing, and then pick a date and time. You’ll have about 90 days to schedule and sit for the certification exam after being approved.

5.   Study with ISA-recommended resources

The ISA’s own materials will set you up for success. The Arborists’ Certification Study Guide, ANSI A300 standards, and Best Management Practices books show up all over the exam.

Most working arborists need two to three months of studying, especially if your days are already full of tree work and you don’t have a lot of free time.

6.   Take the exam

The ISA Certified Arborist exam includes about 200 multiple-choice questions across 10 domains, including pruning, soil management, tree biology, safety, and more. 

The exam takes about 3–4 hours to complete and is “closed book.” Expect scenario-style questions that test your judgment. You’ll usually see your results right after you finish, so you’ll know if you passed.

7.   Maintain your certification

Certification lasts three years, and maintaining your credentials means earning 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and paying a renewal fee. 

CEUs come from workshops, webinars, conferences, or additional ISA credentials. Staying certified shows you’re keeping your skills sharp as standards and tree trimming techniques evolve.

Eligibility requirements for ISA certification

Most candidates who become certified arborists will qualify with around three years of hands-on arborist work. The ISA allows education to offset some field experience, so a two- or four-year degree in arboriculture, forestry, horticulture, or a related track can shorten the timeline.

Here’s a breakdown of the requirements:

Eligibility Category	Requirements	Examples
Work experience	Applicants are required to have a minimum of three years of full-time, practical experience in arboriculture or tree care.	Experience can include pruning, climbing, plant health care, tree risk assessment, or consulting. Volunteer or part-time work generally doesn’t count unless it meets full-time equivalency.
Education substitution	A degree in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, or a related field can substitute for part of the experience requirement.	A two-year associate degree may substitute for one year of work experience. A four-year degree may substitute for two years.
Combination option	Candidates can qualify with a blend of formal education and verified experience.	Two years of fieldwork and a two-year horticulture degree can equal three years’ total eligibility.
Documentation required	Candidates must submit proof of experience and/or education with their application.	Acceptable documents include employer verification letters, transcripts, or tax/employment records.
Relevant roles	Work experience should be in a professional tree care role under supervision.	Common titles include tree climber, tree maintenance worker, plant health care technician, utility arborist, or urban forester.
ISA review process	The ISA reviews applications to verify eligibility before test approval.	Review typically takes 4–6 weeks. Applicants are notified once they can pay the exam fee and schedule their test.

How do you apply for ISA certification?

Here’s how to turn your experience in the field into an official ISA credential:

• Create your ISA account: You’ll need an ISA account to apply. Once you’re logged in, enter your contact information and start building your profile.
• Upload your documentation: Be ready to upload work history details showing hands-on arborist experience, proof of education or relevant coursework, and supervisor or employer verification.
• Submit the application and wait for review: The review and approval process can take 4–6 weeks. Now’s a good time to start looking at study materials.
• Schedule the exam: If your application is approved, the ISA will email you to schedule your exam, along with instructions for paying the fee.
• Save copies of everything: Keep digital copies of all submitted materials and confirmation emails. You’ll want them later for renewals, CEUs, or pursuing additional ISA certifications.

How much does the ISA exam cost?

The ISA Certified Arborist exam fee is $295 for ISA members and $369 for nonmembers.

Some arborists choose to join the ISA first, which is optional. The member discount offsets a portion of the exam fee. Membership also opens the door to industry updates, research, and local chapter events.

Membership categories include:

• Professional ($135): Open to all individuals actively engaged in the arboriculture field
• Student (Free): Available to high school, undergraduate, or graduate students
• Senior ($70): Limited to retired members aged 62+ who have been professional members in good standing for at least 10 years
• Associate Member ($70): Offered to individuals whose country/province of residence doesn’t use English as the official language

How long does it take to become a certified arborist?

You’ll need at least three years (or 5,385 hours) of on-the-job training, formal education, or a mix of both before you can take the ISA’s certified arborist exam.

Your work experience can cover a variety of tasks related to tree care, including responsibilities like planting, pruning, climbing, disease treatment, tree maintenance, and pest management.

Any formal education should be in the field of horticulture, plant science, forestry, or agriculture business technology. Various colleges offer multi-year degrees, or you can take a shorter certification program.

Types of ISA certifications

The most widely recognized credential is the ISA certified arborist designation. This is the all-around certification that covers core arboriculture, like tree biology, soil management, and plant health care.

If you work across multiple aspects of tree care or want a credential that travels well between employers and regions, this is the starting point. It’s also the certification most clients and insurers recognize right away.

From there, ISA offers several paths to specialize, depending on where your career is headed:

• ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA): This is the top of the ladder, designed for experienced professionals who want to prove deep technical knowledge and leadership decision-making. The BCMA exam is challenging and the expectations are higher, but the credential carries serious weight.
• ISA Certified Tree Worker (Climber Specialist or Aerial Lift Specialist): Built for hands-on field professionals who live in the harness or operate lifts, these certifications focus on safe climbing practices and aerial work positioning.
• ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist: This one’s for arborists working around power lines and utility infrastructure. It centers on vegetation management, safety protocols, and coordination with utility companies.
• ISA Municipal Specialist: Ideal for arborists managing trees in public spaces, this certification emphasizes policy, budgeting, public safety, and urban forest planning.
• ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ): TRAQ isn’t a standalone certification, but it’s a powerful add-on. It focuses on evaluating tree risk, documenting findings, and communicating risk. Many consulting arborists treat TRAQ as a must-have once they’re established.

Whether you want to climb higher, specialize, manage, or consult, ISA certifications help turn experience into better pay and stronger credibility as a tree care professional.