Article provided courtesy of International Society of Arboriculture
There are several ways that people in tree care can carve out an advantage in their highly competitive business. Among them are longevity in business, client satisfaction, skilled workforce, productive equipment and a solid reputation for doing quality work. Obtaining certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is another option for positioning yourself in the marketplace.
“In the past six years, we have seen the number of certified arborists grow from about 20,000 to almost 27,000,” says Anne Olmstead, ISA certification manager. “That’s because more tree-care professionals and employers are recognizing the value of holding an ISA certification.”
Certification offers several benefits, according to Olmstead:
- Identifies you as having mastered a broad-based body of knowledge about tree care.
- Helps buyers of tree-care services, who are often lacking information about the business, make a more informed decision when selecting a provider. One of the most popular features of the ISA website is the “Find a Tree Care Service” section. It allows consumers to locate certified arborists in their area. “That’s a great way to get your name and credentials in front of potential customers, and the public has a means to verify the validity of your certification status,” says Olmstead.
- Certification may be the deciding factor when there are multiple bids on a project, even when someone else offers a lower price.
- Provides an opportunity to bid on jobs where certification is necessary. Municipalities, other government agencies and utility firms often require certification.
- Can lead to professional advancement and increased income.
Six certification options
The ISA currently certifies individuals in six different areas:
- ISA Certified Arborist®. To be eligible for the exam, you need three or more years of practical work experience in arboriculture and/or a college degree in a related field.
- ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist™. Candidates are required to be ISA Certified Arborists and to have a minimum of 2,000 hours experience over two years in electric utility vegetation management or at least 4,000 hours over a 10-year period as a utility consultant.
- ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist®. Over and above being an ISA Certified Arborist, candidates need a minimum of three additional years of urban tree work.
- ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist®. To qualify you must be able to skillfully work off the ground. A written test and skills exam are both required.
- ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist®. Candidates need to demonstrate competency as an aerial lift operator, along with first aid and CPR skills. This exam also has required written and skills portions.
- ISA Board Certified Master Arborist®. As the highest level of certification offered by ISA, those seeking this credential must pass an extensive scenario-based exam. Holding the Certified Arborist credential is a prerequisite for sitting for the exam.
Certification process
ISA has two options for taking the certification exam. Paper-based exams are offered by a local ISA chapter or affiliated organization. Computer-based exams (CBT) take place at a recognized testing facility. There are many advantages to CBT such as instant exam results and choosing the date, time and location of your choice. Paper-based exam results may take as long as four to six weeks as they have to be returned to ISA headquarters for processing.
Once certified, you need to renew your certification every three years. There are two options for maintaining your certification; you can do it by obtaining the required number of continuing education units (CEU) or by retaking the exam.
Complete information on the certification process can be found in the application handbooks located on the ISA website. There you will also find a list of recommended study materials and exam outlines to help you prepare for the exam.
The International Society of Arboriculture strives to keep its members and all ISA-Certified Arborists up to date on the latest advancements in the field of arboriculture. For more information on joining or becoming certified, visit www.isa-arbor.com today.