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 New Hampshire Arborists 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 provide evidence of his/her qualifications as a professional arborist. Further,
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 Tree Biology; General Practices
and Procedures of Arboriculture; Soil Structure, Function, and Biology; and Aboricultural Safety
(safe work practices). Professional Letters of Reference are Required. 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 Profssional
Letters of Reference (i.e., professional references of
his/her qualifications as a professional arborist) 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 statements (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. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
*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; and
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 and professional 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.
Recommendations for study and
preparation for the certification examination are available upon request from the Certification Committee Chairperson.
In 2000, the New Hampshire Arborists Association established a comprehensive NH Arborists Association Core Collection
of Arborist Educational Resources which is permanently housed at the New Hampshire State
Library, 20 Park Street, Concord, NH. The NH Arborists Association Core Collection of
Arborist Educational Resources is updated regularly by the New Hampshire Arborists Association and includes
recommended educational resources for exam preparation and study. Call the New Hampshire State Library for hours, telephone,
603.271.2144. [See: NH State Library Project along left page margins.]
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: Mary.Reynolds@dred.state.nh.us.
Certification Committee Chairperson
