Important Message to Candidates
This certification is for current ISA Certified Arborists who 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:
- A minimum of 2,000 hours of direct experience over the past two years in electric utility vegetation management; or
- Full-time employment as an electric utility arborist, forester, or vegetation manager for at least 36 cumulative months during the last 10 years; or
- Full-time employment on a project as an electric utility vegetation management contract employee/consultant for at least 36 cumulative months during the past 10 years.
For more information on how to become an ISA Certified Utility Specialist:
Certified Arborist Utility Specialist Study Materials
While you may use any materials you choose during your exam preparation, we encourage you to use materials that are grounded in best practices and scientific theory, and those that are supported by external reviewers, such as accreditation organizations or governing bodies.
Study Materials
ISA offers a full list of recommended study resources that cover multiple domains in each handbook and in the ISA webstore.
ISA Online Learning
ISA Online Learning offers a wide variety of courses, Arborist News, AUF, and other CEU articles, the ArborPod™ podcasts series, and other resources. Earn CEUs while refreshing your knowledge in some areas and becoming better-educated in others as you prepare for the exam.
The resources referenced on this site should not be considered the only source of information available to study for the exam.