Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist®

Application Instruction Manual

Revised March 2019

Contents

What is the Value in Becoming an ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist®? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Which Areas of Knowledge Will the ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Exam Cover? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What is the Purpose of the Tree Climbing Skills Exam in Addition to the Written Exam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What Are the Objectives of the ISA Certification Program? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Who Is Eligible to Apply for the ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Exam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What is the Process to Apply for the Exam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Exam Dates and Locations
Fees
Certification Agreement and Release Authorization
Application Submission
Enrollment Confirmation
Rescheduling Exam or Additional 90-Day Authorization Period Requests
Failure to Attend Examination or Schedule within a 90-Day Authorization Period

What is the Format of the ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Exam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Pretesting of Exam Questions

How Should I Prepare for the Exam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Written Exam Preparation
Skills Exam Preparation
Items to Bring with You

What Are the Onsite Rules and Conduct Expectations During the Exam? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Admission
Site Rules
Inappropriate Application and Examination Conduct

What is the Process for Attaining Certification? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Completion Requirements
Exam Scoring
Examination Results and Notification of Certification
Request for Regrading Exam
Retaking the Examination

Additional Information About ISA Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

What Does ISA Certification Represent and Require?
Expiration and Recertification
Denial, Revocation, and Decertification
Impartiality and Conflict of Interest
Nondiscrimination
Accommodations for Participants with Disabilities
Appeals and Complaints
Privacy
What is the Value in Becoming an ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist®?

ISA Certification is a voluntary program that tests and certifies demonstrate a dedication to your own professional
your achievement of a professional level of knowledge and skill development and the advancement of proper tree care
in the field of arboriculture. When you become an ISA Certified practices. The process of becoming ISA Certified and
Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist®, you are recognized by your maintaining the designation provides you with personal
peers, employers, and the public as a tree care professional who incentive to continue your arboricultural education and
has attained a specialty in aerial lift operations with a generally- training. Presenting your ISA credential to potential
accepted level of knowledge in areas such as safety, climbing, employers makes you more competitive in the job market,
rigging, cabling, pruning, removal, and more. and for employers, encouraging ISA Certification is a tool
to assist in training their existing tree care personnel.
Achieving ISA Certification also builds your self-image.
By studying for and passing the certification exam, you

Which Areas of Knowledge Will the What Are the Objectives of the ISA
ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Certification Program?
Specialist® Exam Cover? ISA’s objectives for offering professional credentials are to:
The certification examination was developed by a panel of indus- • Advance the knowledge and application of safe work
try experts representing all aspects of arboriculture. Questions practices in all arboricultural operations;
were derived from a job task analysis survey filled out by arbor- • Improve technical competency of personnel in the tree
ists from around the world. Questions are continually analyzed care industry;
by the ISA Certification Test Committee using the latest test • Create incentives for individuals to continue their
statistics, and new questions are always being developed and professional development;
tested for satisfactory performance. Updated examinations are • Provide the public and those in government with a means
created on a regular basis. to identify professionals who have demonstrated by
passing a professionally-developed exam that they have
The written exam content is divided into eight areas of knowl- thorough knowledge and skill in tree care practices.
edge, and the percentage next to each area reflects the percent-
age of questions associated with that area. These are subject to
change when a new job task analysis is completed for the exam.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for the ISA
1. Safety—18%
2. Removal—12% Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift
3. Rigging—12% Specialist® Exam?
4. Pruning—18%
The ISA Credentialing Council requires a candidate to have a
5. Cabling—6%
minimum of 18 months (1.5 years) of experience in arboricul-
6. Tree Sciences—10%
ture and at least six months of experience in the operation of an
7. Tree Identification—10%
aerial lift device within the overall 18 months. Documentation of
8. Electrical Hazard Awareness Program—14%
work experience is required with submittal of your application.
Letter(s) of reference from your current or previous employer(s)
What is the Purpose of the Aerial Lift is acceptable.
Skills Exam in Addition to the Written If you are self-employed or own your own company, you will be
required to submit three letters of reference with your appli-
Exam? cation. References may be in the form of copies of invoices,
The purpose of the aerial lift skills exam is to assess the appli- contracts, and/or business licenses. The documentation provided
cant’s ability to demonstrate the fundamental skills necessary must include the practical experience and outline the dates of
to perform as a competent aerial lift operator when working in work required for eligibility. Please contact ISA for other possi-
trees. The primary emphasis throughout the exam is safety. ble forms of verification.

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
3
You must also show proof of valid hands-on training in CPR and A completed application must be submitted by going to MyISA
first aid. Additionally, an exam candidate must include proof of Apply for an ISA Certification and then by selecting Create Ap-
a physical (practice) Aerial Rescue training within the past year. plication. Once your completed application has been reviewed,
See the application section for acceptable verification options. you will be notified by ISA of your application approval or denial
By submitting your application, you authorize ISA to contact the by email. You may Review Application Status at any time to
practical experience reference(s) named on your application to determine your status or Review Old Applications. If denied,
substantiate your eligibility. you will not be able to enroll into an exam until you provide
additional documentation demonstrating that you meet the
eligibility criteria.
What is the Process to Apply for the Once approved, you may enroll into the exam by selecting
either the enrollment link within the approval email or go to
Exam? the Enroll to Take Exam web page. Enrollment will include the
processing of applicable exam fees. Enrollment and payment
Exam Dates and Locations
must be received on or before the deadline date. ISA does not
ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® written exams provide refunds for exam enrollments. There are no excep-
are sponsored by an ISA chapter or associate organization or tions to this policy.
offered through a Pearson VUE testing center. The skills portion
There are no deadline dates for computer-based exams. For
of the exam is held only as an event sponsored by an ISA chapter
ISA exams sponsored by chapters or associate organizations,
or associate organization. For information on dates and locations
the deadline date is 12 US business days prior to the scheduled
of certification exams in your area sponsored by an ISA chapter
exam date.
or associate organization, contact ISA or visit the ISA Events
Calendar. To find out if a Pearson VUE testing center is close to If you have questions or difficulties with the application or en-
you, visit [Link] rollment process, contact ISA.
Due to the complexity of the application process, onsite registra-
Fees tions are not available for ISA exams.
Candidates who are members of ISA and a chapter or associate
ISA has the right to contact any person or organization as part
organization receive an exam discount. If the exam is sponsored
of the review of your application. By applying, you authorize the
by an ISA chapter or associate organization, the fee is $135 USD
release of any information requested by ISA for the purpose of
for members and $195 USD for nonmembers. For those who
reviewing your application. ISA has the right to notify appropri-
elect the computer-based testing option, there is a comput-
ate organizations if your application contains false information.
er-based testing administrative fee of $125 USD in addition to
the exam fee. The administrative fee applies each time a comput- Enrollment Confirmation
er-based exam is scheduled. You will be notified when your enrollment has been processed.
To be eligible for the discounted rate, a candidate must be a After you have been successfully enrolled, you will receive a con-
current member of ISA and a current member of an ISA chap- firmation packet with a letter containing the location, date, time
ter or associate organization. In the event that a local chapter or of the exam, and the name of the appropriate contact person. For
associate organization does not exist where you reside, you may computer-based exams held through Pearson VUE, you will re-
receive member pricing by being a current member of ISA only. ceive instructions via email on how to schedule a date and time
ISA certification fees are separate and distinct from ISA member- with the computer-based testing vendor. The vendor will then
ship dues and from ISA chapter or associate organization dues. send you a confirmation including the location, date, and time
of the exam. You are provided a 90-day authorization period to
Certification Agreement and Release Authorization schedule and take the exam.
All applicants are required to review and accept the Certifi-
cation Agreement and Release Authorization. Your signature Rescheduling Exam or Additional 90-Day Authorization
confirming review and acceptance of these terms is required for Period Requests
certification. If circumstances change after you have applied for the exam-
ination, you may be able to reschedule your exam or request an
Application Submission additional 90-day computer-based authorization period. If your
Becoming ISA Certified is a two-step process through your request is approved by ISA, a fee of $50 USD will apply to make
online MyISA Dashboard. the change. If you are requesting to reschedule a computer-based
1. First, apply online to sit for a certification exam. exam within your current 90-day authorization period, you will
2. When you receive notice that your application is approved, not be subject to the fee.
you may then enroll through your website account to take Requests to reschedule exams sponsored by ISA chapters or
the exam. associate organizations must be received prior to the 12-busi-
If you do not have an ISA website account, you may create one at ness-day deadline. Additional 90-day computer-based authori-
the MyISA Sign-In page. zation requests must be received within the candidate’s current
90-day, authorization period. If the request does not reach ISA

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
4
before the ISA chapter’s or associate organization’s exam dead-
line date, or is beyond the 90-day authorization period, or the
candidate fails to schedule an exam within the 90-day authoriza- What is the Format of the ISA
tion period, the candidate will be considered a no-show and all Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift
exam fees will be forfeited. If the scheduled date you missed was
your free retake, your free retake will be forfeited.
Specialist® Exam?
If you need to reschedule an exam date within your current
90-day authorization period with the computer-based testing The examination consists of two parts:
vendor, you may do so by contacting Pearson VUE via phone • The written portion is made up of 65 multiple-choice
or through the Pearson VUE website. If rescheduling during the questions. Each question has four possible answers
weekend, you must do so directly through the website. Requests listed, only one of which is correct. You will have 1.5
must be received no later than one business day prior to the hours (90 minutes) to complete the written exam.
scheduled exam date. If contact is less than one business day, you • The skills-based part of the exam is an outdoor
will be considered a no-show and all exam fees will be forfeited. practicum. You will have 45 minutes to safely and
Registrations are not transferrable to another person. successfully complete it. You must provide your own
truck for this portion of the exam and supply the
Failure to Attend Examination or Schedule within a 90-Day
manufacturer, maximum working height, and side
Authorization Period
reach of the truck during the application submittal
No refunds or discounts will be issued if you do not attend the process.
examination. There are no exceptions. If you do not reschedule You must pass both parts to obtain the certification.
your appointment or request an additional 90-day authoriza-
You will need to specify on your application either that you
tion period, and you do not show up to take the exam at your
are taking the entire exam or which part of the exam you
scheduled time and location, you will be considered a no-show
wish to take.
and the exam will be surrendered. This will result in forfeiting
any exam fees and/or computer-based administrative fees asso- Pretesting of Exam Questions
ciated with the exam you missed. If this happens, you will have Within the written exam, there will be 15 new questions
to re-enroll along with paying the required retake fees and, if that have not been used on previous exams. Inclusion of
elected, the computer-based administrative fee of $125 USD. these questions allows for collection of meaningful data
You will have only one year from the first scheduled exam about development of new exam questions. Responses to
date to retake the exam at the retake fee of $75 USD or utilize these questions are not used in determining individual
your free retake. Once you have exceeded the one year, you exam scores. These 15 questions are not identified and
will be required to pay the full exam fee, along with the $125 are scattered throughout the exam so that candidates will
USD computer-based administrative fee if you elected the answer them with the same care as the questions that make
computer-based option. up the scored portion of the exam. This methodology
assures candidates that their scores are the result of sound
measurement practices and that scored questions reflect
current practice.

How Should I Prepare for the Exam?

Written Exam Preparation
The most current edition of ISA’s Tree Climber’s Guide is intend-
ed to serve as a recommended program of study.
Other recommended study materials include:
• ANSI A300 Standard for Tree Care Operations (Part 1) –
Pruning.
• ANSI Z133 Standard for Arboricultural Operations – Safety
Requirements.
• ArborMaster® Training Series DVDs
• Basic Training for Tree Climbers DVD (ISA/TCIA, 1999)
Best Management Practices: Tree Pruning (ISA, 2008)
• ISA Learning Center online courses
• Knots at Work – Jeff Jepson
• The Tree Climber’s Companion – Jeff Jepson

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
5
In addition, the Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist Exam Truck Inspection
Preparation DVD is available from ISA. This 15-minute video At the pre-ascent inspection, the applicant will be required to
guides the applicant through the entire skills exam and explains perform a walk-around visual inspection of the truck and aerial
what is expected from the applicant during the skills test. lift, calling out what is being inspected and describing defects
Note: Tree Climber’s Guide, published by ISA, should NOT be that would render the truck or aerial lift unusable. Items to be
considered the sole source of information for the certification inspected will include:
examination. Tree Climber’s Guide and the ISA Certified Tree • Documentation of pre-trip (Department of Transportation
Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® exam are written by separate enti- inspection) sticker OR exemption paperwork
ties. The exam tests a body of knowledge rather than knowledge • Lift manual in the truck
obtained solely from a specific resource. • Condition of bucket and liner
The publications referred to above can be purchased from ISA • Placement and condition of stickers
in the ISA webstore, by calling +1.678.367.0981, or by email- • Guard, covers, placards in place and in good condition
ing isa@[Link]. You may also purchase these resources • Fluid levels
through your local ISA chapter or associate organization. • When and where to lubricate
• Leaks, cracks, and welds on the outriggers, if applicable
Skills Exam Preparation • Cracks, cuts, and excessive wear on upper and lower boom
The following informs the ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift fiberglass
Specialist® applicant of the requirements to pass the aerial lift
Failure to inspect each of the following items will result in failure
skills test. It outlines in detail what you need to know and which
of the examination:
skills must be demonstrated during the test.
• Operator demonstration of bucket movement utilizing
Understanding the Evaluation Form ground controls
The evaluation form that is used to assess the applicant’s skills • Lubrication, brakes, adjustments, and broken wires in the
is designed to be as fair and objective as possible. Every attempt drive cables and bucket-leveling cables or cracks and welds
has been made to eliminate bias on the part of the evaluators. on the chains
Every applicant will be judged by at least two trained evaluators. • Bolts, welds, and cracks on the pylon mast (pedestal)
The skills to be demonstrated are outlined in specific task state- • Leaks, breaks, and wear on hoses
ments. Each task statement includes performance standards that • Welds, rod-ends, and leaks on drive cylinders.
indicate exactly what constitutes successful completion of the Knot Tying
task. View the skills form.
Applicants must demonstrate the tying of six additional knots
Each evaluator judges the candidate’s performance of each task within a one-minute-per-knot time limit. Four of these must
to be either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Candidates begin be tied correctly to proceed to the main skills test. Each knot
with 750 points. Points are deducted for each unsatisfactory must be correctly dressed and set on the first attempt in order to
performance of a task. The point deductions are proportional receive a satisfactory mark. When the candidate hands the tied
to the importance of the task. In order to pass the skills test, an knot to the evaluator, it is considered to be an attempt. The point
applicant must have a minimum of 600 points. deduction for failure to tie each knot successfully is 35 points.
Certain tasks, determined to be skills that are critical to an aerial The following are the required knots:
lift operator’s competency, carry a point value of 151 points. That 1. Bowline
means if a candidate fails to satisfactorily complete any critical 2. Running bowline
tasks, he/she will fail the skills test. One example of a critical 3. Cow hitch with a better half OR timber hitch
task is the ability to successfully move within the tree without 4. Sheetbend OR quick hitch
inadvertently contacting the tree with the boom. 5. Clove hitch with two half hitches
6. Midline knot: clove hitch OR butterfly
Pre-ascent Inspections
The applicant must demonstrate a pre-ascent inspection of his or Tree and Site Inspection (Must be completed within 15 minutes.)
her equipment. This includes a manual and visual inspection of Each applicant must do a pre-ascent inspection of the tree and
the personal protection equipment, fall arrest belt/harness, lan- site. If this task is not completed satisfactorily in the allotted time
yard, and the lift for any defects that could pose a safety hazard. of 15 minutes, the operator will fail the exam. The purpose of
Defective equipment must not be used. A complete list of items this is to check for the location of any electrical conductors, as
to be inspected through verbal comments and observation can well as basal and structural tree hazards or safety risks. Inspec-
be found on the skills form. tion should include:
Automatic failure results if the candidate does not bring the lift • Location of utilities and wires
manual, cannot perform a pre-trip inspection, or fails to com- • In-ground targets
plete a drift test. • Above-ground targets
• Tree structure/stability

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
6
Truck Set-up (Must be completed within 10 minutes.) Tree Inspection
Operator is required to park or direct truck in working position Operator demonstrates inspection of tree.
and set up all safety devices. If this task is not completed satisfac- • Operator must verbally identify potential hazards.
torily in the allotted time of 10 minutes, the operator will fail the
exam. Timing starts when the applicant exits the truck. Hand Saw Work Station
• Properly park truck to reach all work stations without Operator demonstrates controlled use of lift.
moving the truck. • Operator must demonstrate smooth, controlled
• Properly set with all worksite protection cones. approach and positioning to ring bell OR touch flag
• Properly place chocks. with hand.
• Place signs. • If operator has uncontrolled contact with a limb greater
• Extend outriggers OR provide documentation that than 4 inches (10 cm) OR the tree, OR breaks a limb 3
outriggers are not required. inches (7.5 cm) or larger, the operator will fail the exam.
• Set out emergency kit (pole pruner, clean dry rope,
communication device, and first aid kit). Setting Rigging/Safety Line Work Station
Ascent through Descent must be completed within 20 minutes. Operator is required to throw a rope into a branch union 6 to
Time starts when boom leaves cradle and ends when bucket is 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) from the station marker and retrieve the
safely cradled. If this task is not completed satisfactorily in the working end.
allotted time of 20 minutes, the operator will fail the exam. • Operator has three attempts to set the rope in the
branch union to demonstrate minimum proficiency and
Ascent rope control, or operator will be deducted 35 points.
Operator demonstrates smooth controlled entry into the tree. • Working end and running portion of rope must be
• Operator must be properly secured by a safety lanyard. controlled in the operator’s hands.
Time starts when boom leaves the cradle and ends • If the operator has uncontrolled contact with a limb
when the bucket is safely cradled, with a time limit greater than 4 inches (10 cm) OR the tree, OR breaks
of 20 minutes. a limb 3 inches (7.5 cm) or larger, the operator will fail
the exam.

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
7
Pole Saw/Pruner Work Station What Are the Onsite Rules and Conduct
Operator demonstrates controlled use of lift while demonstrat-
ing the use of a pole saw or pruner to contact bell or flag.
Expectations During the Exam?
• Operator must demonstrate smooth, controlled approach Admission
and positioning to ring the bell OR touch the flag with the • Arrive at the testing site 30 minutes before the start of the
pole saw/pruner. exam and have your identity confirmed by providing two
• Pole saw/pruner cannot be dropped or operator will fail forms of valid identification—a valid photo identification
the exam. card and an identification card displaying your signature.
• Operator must lower the rope and retrieve the pole saw/ (See your exam confirmation packet for exact time, date,
pruner. and location of the exam.)
• Operator must untie and use both hands on the pole saw/ • The exam host will check your photo ID. If you do not
pruner while contacting the bell or flag. have a photo ID with you at the check-in time of the exam,
• Operator must lower the pole saw/pruner safely to the you will not be allowed to sit for the exam and will be
ground by use of the rope with a recognized friction hitch. considered a no-show.
Recognized friction hitches: tautline hitch, Blake’s hitch, • There will be audio and video taping at the testing centers.
Distel, Schwabisch, or French Prusik (VT) If you are not prepared to be taped, you will not be allowed
• If operator has uncontrolled contact with a limb greater to test at the facility.
than 4 inches (10 cm) OR the tree, OR breaks a limb 3
inches (7.5 cm) or larger, the operator will fail the exam. Site Rules
• Dress appropriately. While every attempt is made to
Descent provide a comfortable classroom atmosphere, indoor
Operator demonstrates smooth operation to the cradle boom. temperatures and outdoor weather conditions may vary.
• Operator must demonstrate smooth, controlled descent • Visitors are not permitted into the exam.
and cradling of the bucket. • Books, papers, and other reference material will not be
• Aerial lift bucket must be firmly in the cradle at the end of allowed in the testing area.
the exam. • No cell phones or other mobile devices will be allowed in
• If operator has uncontrolled contact with a limb greater testing area.
than 4 inches (10 cm) OR the tree, OR breaks a limb 3 • No food or beverages may be taken into the exam.
inches (7.5 cm) or larger, the operator will fail the exam. • No smoking will be allowed in the testing area.
• You will be permitted to take restroom breaks on an
Skills Exam Time Limit individual basis. Time spent on breaks will come out of the
The entire exam must be completed within 45 minutes. time permitted for completing the exam.
• Writing on the test booklet is not allowed during the exam.
Items to Bring with You • If you are caught looking at another individual’s exam
For the skills exam, each aerial lift operator candidate should or talking during the exam, scores may be invalidated or
bring their own truck along with the appropriate personal exam materials confiscated.
protection equipment that meets all pertinent safety standards • Applicants who are impaired by the use of alcoholic
including: beverages or illegal drugs, or use them at the examination
• Hardhat site, will be immediately disqualified from taking the
• Safety glasses examination. It is of utmost importance that you carefully
• Work boots follow all directions and regulations. Listen carefully to all
• Fall arrest belt/harness instructions given by the exam administrator, and follow
• Energy absorbing lanyard OR lanyard with double the directions completely.
locking snaps • Applicants and evaluators are expected to comply with all
• Attachment point to boom relevant OSHA, ANSI, CSA, or other safety standards and
• Appropriate work clothing requirements that apply in the relevant jurisdiction. The
skills examination is designed to simulate actual working
All personal protective equipment, fall protection, and the aerial
conditions. Equipment used by climbers must provide
lift device shall, at a minimum, satisfy Department of Transpor-
adequate protection for use in working conditions.
tation, OSHA and ANSI (for U.S.), CSA (for Canada), or other
relevant standards that apply in that jurisdiction. Rope snaps Inappropriate Application and Examination Conduct
should be of the locking type. Failure to abide by these rules ISA intends that participation in its certification programs will
may result in the applicant’s failure of the skills examination. be a professionally relevant, informative, and rewarding expe-
The skills examination is designed to simulate actual working rience for all candidates. All participants in ISA certification
conditions. Equipment used by operators must provide adequate exams are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate
protection for use in working conditions.

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
8
and professional manner and to refrain from any objectionable, Exam Scoring
improper, or unprofessional conduct. To ensure fairness in an The computer-based exams are graded by Pearson VUE, the
examination environment, the following policy and rules apply: testing vendor. Written exams sponsored by ISA chapters or
• When an ISA or ISA-designated representative finds that associate organizations are graded at ISA Headquarters. The
a candidate has engaged in inappropriate conduct or skill-based exam is scored on site by the instructor administering
behavior, ISA reserves the right to respond with actions the exam and sent to ISA Headquarters. ISA will notify you of
including, but not limited to: your detailed results. You may access a brief overview of your
o Rejecting an application for certification results by logging into MyISA on the ISA website and selecting
o Preventing or precluding a person from participating My CEUs.
in an examination, including removing a person from
the testing site Examination Results and Notification of Certification
o Invalidating or nullifying examination results Computer-based exams provide result notification immediately
o Issuing and enforcing any other lesser response or upon completion of the exam. Your formal results will be sent
action determined to be appropriate or necessary approximately six weeks after your exam date. You will be noti-
• Inappropriate conduct or behavior includes, but is not fied of your pass/fail result. Percentage scores will be provided
limited to, misrepresentation; failure to disclose requested for each domain for your information and a pass/fail result will
information; cheating; unauthorized possession, use, or be provided on the skills exam. Those who pass will receive a
distribution of copyrighted or legally protected material; congratulatory letter, score sheet, certificate, identification card,
verbal or physical disturbances of the examination; hard-hat decal, and patch. Your results are confidential. Results
failure to pay fees in a timely manner; and any other cannot be obtained over the phone or by fax.
objectionable, improper, or unprofessional actions by a If you have questions concerning your exam results, direct them
person participating in the ISA certification process. in writing to the ISA Credentialing Department at isa@isa-ar-
• By submitting an application for certification, each [Link]. Because of the need to maintain test security, exam
participant acknowledges that he/she understands and questions and answers cannot be made available for review, and
agrees to the terms of this policy. the ISA Credentialing Department does not provide a list of
questions that were answered correctly or incorrectly. The only
information available regarding your performance on the exam
What is the Process for Attaining is provided on your score report.
Certification? Request for Regrading Exam
Completion Requirements If you believe that an error was made in the grading of your
exam, you may request to have your exam regraded. A fee of
The ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® exam in-
$35 USD applies for each hand-graded score report. Requests
cludes both written and skill-based components. To obtain ISA
for regrading may take up to six weeks for completion. If you re-
certification, you must achieve the required passing scores for
quest to have your exam regraded, you may not schedule another
both parts of the examination. The current passing scores are 70
exam until after you receive the regrading results. If you wish to
percent for the written component and 80 percent for the skill-
have your exam regraded after receiving your initial score report,
based component. Please note that when a job task analysis of
please contact isa@[Link].
the exam is performed, the passing scores are subject to change.
When you receive your written exam results, please remember Retaking the Examination
that the domains are weighted, and the average of the domains If you do not pass the exam, you will receive a failure notification
will not be equal to the overall score. If you do not achieve an and details for retaking the exam. You may re-enroll by logging
overall passing score on both components, you must retake the into MyISA on the ISA website and returning to the Enroll to
component that you did not pass until an overall passing score Take Exam web page. You are allowed one free retake and then
is achieved. will be charged a $75 USD fee per retake up to one year from the
Once certified, you will receive the designation of ISA Certi- original date that you took the exam. If you do not attain a pass-
fied Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist®. Your certification is ing score within one year of the original exam date, you will be
personal to you and may not be transferred or assigned to any required to pay the full fee amount. Each time a computer-based
other individual, organization, or entity. When publicizing your exam is selected, the $125 USD administrative fee applies.
credential, you must comply with the requirements in the ISA
Branding and Style Guide.

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
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Additional Information About ISA Impartiality and Conflict of Interest
ISA commits itself to impartiality in its certification activities
Certification and understands how critical impartiality is to carrying out
its certification activities. ISA manages conflict of interest and
What Does ISA Certification Represent and Require?
ensures the objectivity of all certification activities. All persons
By passing the exam, holders of ISA certifications have demon- involved in certification activities, including ISA Headquarters
strated a broad knowledge base in the area in which they are staff and member volunteers, accomplish this through compli-
certified. No other conclusions may be drawn concerning cer- ance with ISA’s structure, policies, and procedures related to
tification holders. ISA certifications do not represent licensure, certification activities.
registration, or other authorization to practice or to conduct
business activities for a fee or otherwise. Nondiscrimination
The ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® credential The ISA Certification Program does not discriminate in deter-
is subject to ongoing requirements, such as participation in mining eligibility on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, na-
continuing education activities and terms of the Certification tional origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected
Agreement and Release Authorization. by law.
Expiration and Recertification Accommodations for Participants with Disabilities
ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® certification It is the intent of ISA to provide accessibility to ISA exams to
is valid for three years. To retain certification after each three- any qualified participant with a documented disability upon
year period, an ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® reasonable notice and without requiring ISA to take action
must recertify. Notify ISA promptly if your contact information which would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of
changes. We are not responsible for undeliverable recertification the exam or an undue financial burden to ISA.
notices. If you have a special need and require an accommodation for
The ISA Certification Program offers two methods of recerti- an exam, please complete the Special Accommodations Request
fication. The first method is to retake and pass the certification Form and submit it with each enrollment request. Your request
exam again. The second option is to accumulate at least 15 will be reviewed and you will be notified of a determination.
continuing education units (CEUs) over the three-year certifica- Approved accommodations are provided through our comput-
tion period that relate to the eight tested domains on the exam; er-based vendor at no additional charge to you.
provide current proof of training in cardiopulmonary resusci-
tation (CPR), first aid, and completion of a physical (practice) Appeals and Complaints
aerial rescue; and pay the recertification fee. Candidates who Appeals and complaints are accepted and resolved in accordance
are members of both ISA and their local chapters or associate with the ISA Credentialing Appeals and Complaints policy.
organizations receive a discount on their recertification fees. The
Privacy
non-member recertification fee is $90 USD. For members, the
recertification fee is $65 USD. By applying for an ISA certification, you authorize ISA to make
your contact information available to your local chapter or
You have the option of checking your CEUs online via the ISA
associate organization and our professional affiliates so they
website. To obtain a username and password, to access your
can share information with you about educational seminars
CEU report, please email ISA at isa@[Link]. CEUs,
and other events. ISA shares your contact information, pass/fail
current proof of training, and proper payment must be received
exam result, expiration date, and other relevant details with your
in the ISA office in a timely manner. Allow four to six weeks for
ISA chapter or associate organization so that they may monitor
processing and posting to your account.
your credential status and administer credential-related services.
Please visit the ISA website for detailed information on main- Your name, location, and credential will be available to the pub-
taining your credential. You may contact ISA at isa@isa-arbor. lic on the ISA and TreesAreGood™ websites.
com if you need further clarification.
Some credential holders do not wish their names to be dis-
Denial, Revocation, and Decertification tributed to the public or to other interested parties (vendors,
Your certification may be denied or revoked for any of the fol- potential employers, etc.). If you do not wish to have your
lowing reasons: name included on the ISA and TreesAreGood™ websites or on
distribution lists, contact the ISA Credentialing Department at
• Falsification of application isa@[Link]. ISA maintains the right and responsibility
• Violation of testing procedures to verify a credential holder’s certification status to the public or
• Misrepresentation of your identity or other information to other interested parties.
In the event that your ISA certification is denied or revoked or
you otherwise become decertified, you must immediately stop You will be notified of whether or not you passed the certifica-
using and/or displaying the ISA certification mark, credential, tion examination, but your score will not be disclosed to any
and any other designation indicating an affiliation with the ISA third party except as noted above. Your status as a certification
Certification Program. You must comply with any additional holder, past or present, and dates of certification may be dis-
directives of the ISA Certification Program. closed to third parties.

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
10
Reference Links:
ISA Events Calendar [Link]
Certification Agreement and Release Authorization
[Link]
Create an ISA Website Account [Link]
Apply for an ISA Certification [Link]
MyISA Sign-In/Dashboard [Link]
Review Application Status [Link]
Enroll to Take an Exam [Link]
Pearson Vue Testing Center [Link] or [Link]
ISA Web Store [Link]
Skills Test Evaluation Form [Link]
ISA Branding and Style Guide [Link]
Maintaining Your Credentials [Link]
Special Accommodations Request Form [Link]
ISA Credentialing Appeals and Complaints [Link]
Verify an ISA Credential [Link]
Paper Application [Link]

ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist® Candidate Application Guide
11
Learn more about educational opportunities at [Link]

International Society of Arboriculture

[Link] • p. +1 678.367.0981 • isa@[Link]