How to Become an ISA‐Certified Arborist

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 21, 2020

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) offers the most respected certification exam for arborists. Becoming certified with the ISA can broaden your job opportunities and potentially increase your salary. Studying for the ISA certification test can seem overwhelming, but if you familiarize yourself with the test material, you'll be well-prepared With dedication and the right qualifications, you can easily take and pass the ISA certification.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Becoming Eligible for Certification

1
Gain at least 3 years of experience in arboriculture before applying. Jobs that involve pruning, fertilization, or diagnosis and treatment of diseases in trees all count as relevant experience. If you're unsure whether your experience is relevant, contact the ISA for more information.
- Some examples of relevant careers include working for tree care companies, nurseries, landscape companies, state forestry agencies, and academic arboriculture/horticulture departments.
- Volunteer experience involving trees may count if your work was supervised and can be documented.
2
Gather documentation of your work experience. These documents will be submitted with your ISA certification application. You might, for example, gather letter(s) of reference from your current and former employers, payroll stubs from your current job, CPR or First Aid certifications, business licenses, work invoices, or contracts between yourself and former clients.
- How much documentation you need depends on how much work experience you have. You should be able to provide documentation for each job you list on your application.
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3
Obtain 3 letters of reference if you are self-employed. If you're an arborist who does freelance work or owns their own company, ask your former clients for letters of reference. Submit these 3 letters with your application as validation of your self-employment experience.
4
Pursue a degree in arboriculture as relevant experience (optional). An associate degree in arboriculture coupled with 2 years of experience, or a bachelor degree in arboriculture and 1 year of experience, both fulfill the 3 years of relevant experience required.
- If you've earned your degree in arboriculture, include a copy of your degree in the application.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing for the Exam

1
Familiarize yourself with the certification exam setup. Knowing the different sections of the ISA certification test will help you know what to study. Each exam includes a multiple-choice question with 200 questions and a written section. Questions on the exam may test any of the following topics:
- Soil management
- Urban forestry
- Tree identification and selection
- Safe work practices
- Tree installation and establishment
- Tree biology
- Pruning
- Tree risk management
- Tree protection
- Tree diagnosis and treatment
2
Submit your application via the ISA website. To take an ISA certification exam, you must first submit an application online. If you are considered qualified, you will be approved to take the test.
- Include any work documentation, letters of recommendation, and request for special accommodations with your application as you submit it online.
- You may submit your application by making an account on the ISA website.
3
Wait for your application's confirmation packet. If you're deemed a qualified applicant, you will receive a confirmation packet containing the location, date, and time of the exam. You will also receive the name and information of the appropriate contact person if you have questions.
- It can take up to 6 weeks
- If you have not heard from the ISA after 6 weeks, contact your local chapter for information about your application.
- If you're taking a computer-based exam, you will receive instructions with how to schedule your exam. You will have a 90-day period to schedule and take your exam once your application is accepted.
4
Sign up for a nearby ISA certification exam. You may take ISA exams at most ISA chapter locations. Check your local ISA's website or contact them online to find out when the next certification exam is being offered in your area.
- The ISA certification test is available in English or Spanish. When you sign up for the exam, indicate which language you want to take the test in.
- You may also take ISA certification exams at any Pearson VUE center. Search for a VUE center in your area here:http://www.pearsonvue.com/isa/locate/
5
Pay the exam fee to register for the test. If you are currently an ISA member, the fee is $170 USD. If you aren't, you'll need to pay $280 USD to take the test. In addition to the exam fee, you will also need to pay a $125 USD fee if you choose to take the exam on a computer.
6
Use the official ISA study guide to prepare for the test. The ISA's Arborist's Certification Study Guide functions as the official study guide for the exam. You can purchase it online at the ISA's website or at your local ISA chapter.
- The official ISA website sells their official study guide online here: http://www.isa-arbor.com/store/product.aspx?ProductID=7
- Some ISA chapters offer prep classes to help applicants study for the exam. Contact your ISA chapters to see if any courses are available in your area.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Taking the Exam

1
Dress appropriately to your exam. The ISA suggests that you dress comfortably so you don't feel distracted while taking the test. Dress in layers so you can add or remove clothing depending on the room's temperature.
- Do not bring any digital accessories, like cell phones or watches, into the exam room.
2
Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before the exam will start. The exam will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Getting to the testing center a half an hour early will ensure that you have time to sign in.
- Do not bring any study guides or reference material to the testing center.
- Food and drinks are not allowed in the testing center, nor is smoking.
3
Provide 2 forms of identification to the exam host. One form of identification must be a state-issued photo ID, like a driver's license or passport. The other must be an identification card displaying your signature.
4
Listen carefully to the exam administrator as you take the test. As they read through the exam instructions, pay attention and ask any relevant questions. When the test starts, read through and follow all of the listed directions.
- You may take bathroom breaks during the test, but the time taken will count against your time limit.
5
Wait for your score to determine whether you've passed the exam. If you're taking a computer-based exam, you will be able to see your results immediately. If not, you will need to wait up to 6 weeks after your exam date to see your score. Log into your ISA application account to see your formal score results.
- You must receive at least a 76% to past the test.
- If you don't pass the exam, you can retake the test once for free. After that, you may pay $75 USD per retake for up to one year after taking the initial test.
6
Pursue specialized certification as desired. After you become an ISA certified arborist, you may take further exams to receive specializations. Apply and register via the ISA website to take any of the specialization exams, as they are scheduled and taken in the same way as an ISA certified arborist exam.
- You may take specializations in municipal arboriculture, utility vegetation management, tree worker climbing, and aerial list specialization. You can also take a test to become an ISA-certified master arborist.

Warnings

Be honest while taking the exam. The ISA reserves the right to deny or revoke the certification of any arborists who falsify information on their application, violate testing procedures, or misrepresent their identity.

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