The Five ISA Certifications

The first step toward becoming ISA Certified is to decide which certification credential is right for you. Each of the six ISA certification credentials is earned by passing a different exam. The exams listed on the ISA site that take place in the New England are administered by the NEC-ISA. Each credential has its own handbook and study materials, listed below. Please see the certification handbook for the full list of requirements and details about the application process. ISA Credentials Quick Guide.

ISA Certified Arborist

To earn an ISA Certified Arborist credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of ISA-Certified-Arborist Logoarboriculture. 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 or both of the following:

  • Three or more years of full-time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture

  • A degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute

The ISA Certified Arborist exam is a written test consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions. Candidates who are members of ISA and an ISA chapter or associate organization receive an exam discount. If the exam is sponsored by an ISA chapter or associate organization, the fee is $170 for members and $280 for nonmembers. For those who elect the computer-based testing option, there is a computer-based testing administrative fee of $125 in addition to the exam fee. The administrative fee applies each time a
computer-based exam is scheduled. To be eligible for the discounted rate, a candidate must be a current member of ISA and a current member of an ISA chapter or associate organization.

Resources and Materials

ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist

This certification is for current ISA Certified Arborists that already work in utility vegetation management. You Utility-Aroborist Logowill 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. Depending on the expiration time frame and whether the applicant is a current ISA and/or Chapter member, the ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist exam costs between $75-$260. In addition to the exam fee, there is a computer-based testing administrative fee of $125 USD for those who elect the computer- based option. The administrative fee applies each time a computer-based exam is scheduled.

Resources and Materials

ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist

This certification is for current ISA Certified Arborists who have chosen municipal arboriculture or urban Municipal-Arborist Logoforestry 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. Depending on the expiration time frame and whether the applicant is a current ISA and/or Chapter member, the ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist exam costs between $75-$260. In addition to the exam fee, there is a computer-based testing administrative fee of $125 USD for those who elect the computer- based option. The administrative fee applies each time a computer-based exam is scheduled.

Resources and Materials

ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist

This certification is for tree workers who specialize in climbing work. To become certified as an ISA Tree Tree-Worker-Climber-Specialist LogoWorker 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. Candidates who are members of ISA and a chapter or associate organization receive an exam discount. If the exam is sponsored by an ISA chapter or associate organization, the fee is $135 for members and $195 for nonmembers. For those who
elect the computer-based testing option, there is a computer-based testing administrative fee of $125 in addition to
the exam fee. The administrative fee applies each time a computer-based exam is scheduled. To be eligible for the discounted rate, a candidate must be a current member of ISA and a current member of an ISA chapter
or associate organization.

Resources and Materials

ISA Board Certified Master Arborist

This credential is the highest level of certification offered by ISA, which recognizes ISA Certified Arborists Board-Certified-Master-Arborist Logoat 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. Fewer than two percent of all ISA Certified Arborists currently hold this certification.

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. Pictures and descriptive information may be included with exam questions when necessary to further explain the scenarios being tested. Candidates who are members of ISA and an ISA chapter or associate organization receive an exam discount. The fee is $495 for members and $605 for nonmembers. To be eligible for
the discounted rate, a candidate must be a current member of ISA and a current member of an ISA chapter or associate organization.

Resources and Materials