In 1982,
the New Hampshire Arborists Association took on a new role formerly filled by the State of New Hampshire. The State
Arborists Control Board was the body which tested and licensed arborists but this Board was eliminated by sunset legislation
in 1981. Today the Association tests and certifies new arborists in New Hampshire. [See "Qualifications
and Exam Eligibility Requirements" below.]
Arborist certification establishes a meaningful standard of quality in arboricultural work, improves the
knowledge and skills of practicing arborists, and provides the public with criteria for choosing an arborist. Certified
arborists are professionals educated and trained in:
- Diagnosis and treatment of landscape trees and shrubs
- Proper pruning and management techniques for
valuable landscape trees and shrubs
- Identifying and selecting appropriate landscape trees and shrubs
- Installation,
establishment, and after-care of landscape trees and shrubs
- Understanding the important soil and water relationships which
affect plant growth
- Recognizing tree hazards, construction damage, and mitigation
- Preserving the aesthetic and ecological value
of landscape trees and shrubs
- Understanding and implementing safety requirements for tree care operations including
pruning, trimming, repairing, maintaining, and removing trees and cutting brush.
Qualifications and Exam Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a New Hampshire Arborists Association Certified Arborist, an experienced tree care professional
must pass a comprehensive, written examination developed by a committee of experts in industry, research, and government.
The Certification Exam includes the following disciplines: Tree Identification; Insect and Disease Identification
and Life Cycles; Tree Function and Biology; General Practices and Procedures of Arboriculture; Soil structure, Function and Biology and Aboricultural safety. The New Hampshire Arborists Association
sponsors and maintains this voluntary certification program.
To qualify for the exam, applicants must meet the following requirements:
*The New Hampshire Arborists Association Certification Program requires candidates to have a minimum of
three years of full-time experience in professional arboriculture. Acceptable experience includes the practical use
of knowledge involved in pruning, fertilization, installation and establishment, diagnosis and treatment of tree problems,
cabling and bracing, climbing, or other services that directly relate to professional arboriculture. Examples of experience
sources include, but are not limited to, tree care companies, nursery personnel, landscape personnel, municipalities, state
and federal forestry personnel, instructors of arboriculture/horticulture, consulting arborists, and pest control advisors/applicators.
*The eligibility requirement may also be satisfied with a two-year degree in arboriculture
and two years of practical experience or a four-year degree in a related field and one year of practical experience.
*If you are self employed or own your own company, you will be required to submit three letters
of reference with your application.
*The New Hampshire Arborists Association
Certification Program requires that the application include a documented employment record; valid experience must be within
the last five years and the applicant must be currently employed in professional arboriculture at the time of application. Scope of practical employment experience shall be in the field of professional
arboriculture. Employment history, employment experience, and educational experience statement
(must be related to arboriculture) must include name, address, and telephone number for each employer(s)
and dates worked for each employer(s). Educational experience must
include the name of the junior college, college, or university attended; address of educational institution;
type of degree earned and major; and dates of enrollment, i.e., from: month, year, to: month, year, and total
time enrolled. Complete copies of all college and university transcripts must be submitted with the application
for the Certification Exam.
*Practical experience statement verification and responsibilities of your position must accompany a formal
application for the Certification Exam (this information, i.e., practical experience and responsibilities of your position,
are required for application approval) along with
the exam fee. The New Hampshire Arborists Association Certification Committee Chairperson must receive all requirements no later than March 1st for the April exam
and September 1st for the October exam.
*CAUTION: Certification Exam
Applications (including required documentation) will NOT be accepted online. Complete Certification Exam
Applications must be mailed directly to the New Hampshire Arborists Association, PO Box 16006, Hooksett, NH 03106.
The New Hampshire Arborists Association Certification Committee Chairperson must receive all requirements no later than March
1st for the April exam and September 1st for the October exam.
*The $65.00 non-refundable application fee will include
membership in the New Hampshire Arborists Association for the remainder of the year in which the examination is passed.
There will be a $35.00 re-examination fee if the examination is failed; if the applicant fails the Certification
Exam on two consecutive exam dates, there will be a waiting period of one year before re-examination and a required
second payment of the $65.00 non-refundable application fee will apply.
The Certification
Exam will cover the following subject areas:
Tree identification;
Insect and Disease Identification and Life Cycles;
Tree function and Tree biology;
General Practices and Procedures of Arboriculture;
Soil structure, Function and Biology
Arboricultural safety
A score of 75% or higher must be attained in order to pass the certification examination.
A passing grade must be scored in each subject area to successfully pass the Certification Exam.
By submitting your application, you authorize the New Hampshire Arborists Association
Certification Committee to contact the practical experience references named on your application to substantiate your eligibility.
The New Hampshire Arborists Association Certification Program does not discriminate in determining eligibility
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Resource recommendations for study and preparation for the certification examination are available
upon request from the Certification Committee Chairperson. In 2002, the New Hampshire Arborists Association established
a comprehensive core collection of educational resources for arborists which are permanently housed at the New Hampshire State
Library, 20 Park Street, Concord, NH. The collection includes all the recommended resources for exam preparation and
study. Call the New Hampshire State Library for hours, telephone, 603.271.2144. [See New Hampshire State Library Education Project.]
The Certification Exam is administered two times per year, the first Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday in October.
Pre-registration is required. Click here for the "Application for New Hampshire Arborists Association
Certification Examination".
For more information
about arborist certification, call:
Mary K. Reynolds, 603.271.2214 x325 or email:
mreynolds@dred.state.nh.us.
Certification Committee Chairperson
