ISA Certifications
Each certification has its own suggested study material which can be purchased on this site and an application. MAC-ISA offers Certified Arborist study courses and exams at least three times a year. All exams can also be taken online for an additional fee. Read the certification handbook for the full list of requirements and details about the application process for each certification. There is no deadline date for computer-based exams; however for paper-based exams, you must be enrolled and paid for no later than 12 business days prior to the scheduled exam date. Please check the ISA office closing schedule to ensure you are enrolled on time. More detailed information can be found on the ISA website.
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To earn an ISA Certified Arborist credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of arboriculture. ISA Certified Arborists must also adhere to the Code of Ethics that strengthens the credibility and reliability of the workforce. This certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute, meeting and exceeding ISO 17024.
To be eligible for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, you must have one of the following:
- Three or more years of full-time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture or
- A four-year degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute and one year experience or
- A two-year degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry and two years of experience.
The ISA Certified Arborist exam is a written test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions.
This certification is for current ISA Certified Arborists that already work in utility vegetation management. You will be tested on topics such as electric utility pruning, program management, integrated vegetation management, electrical knowledge, customer relations, and storm response.
To be eligible for the exam, you must be an ISA Certified Arborist and have one or both of the following:
- A minimum of 2,000 hours experience over two years in electric utility vegetation management
- A minimum of 4,000 hours over ten years or less as a consultant to a utility
The examination is made up of 115 multiple-choice questions.
This certification is for current ISA Certified Arborists who have chosen municipal arboriculture or urban forestry as a career path. You will be tested on public relations, administration, risk management, policy, and planning.
To be eligible for the exam, you must be an ISA Certified Arborist and have the following:
- A minimum of three additional years of work experience managing the establishment and maintenance of urban trees
- Experience with communication skills, public relations, administration, risk management, arboricultural practices, and policy planning in a municipal setting
The examination is made up of 115 multiple-choice questions.
This certification is for tree workers who specialize in climbing work. To become certified as an ISA Tree Worker Climber Specialist, you must have the skill and endurance to climb trees, demonstrate high regard for safety, and be able to get the job done off the ground.
To be eligible for the exam, you must have the following:
- 18 months of climbing experience in arboriculture
- Training in aerial rescue, CPR, and First Aid
For this credential, you will be tested in both a classroom setting and a field setting. The ISA Certified Tree Worker exam consists of a 65-question, multiple-choice written test and a climbing skills test.
This credential is the highest level of certification offered by ISA, which recognizes ISA Certified Arborists at the pinnacle of their profession. In addition to passing an extensive scenario-based exam, candidates must adhere to a Board-Certified Master Arborist Code of Ethics.
To be eligible for the exam, you must be an be an ISA Certified Arborist in good standing and have a sufficient amount of any or all of the following:
- Measurable experience
- Formal education
- Related credentials
- Professional experience
The examination is made up of 165 multiple-choice questions.
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