Certified Tree Worker Certification Program Comes to NY

Doug Wade, NYSA Certification Liaison, is looking for volunteers to become evaluators for the Certified Tree Worker Exam.

In order for NYSA to give the exam, we must have at least 3 certified evaluators at the test site. It is the intention of the certification liaison to have 2 teams of evaluators available, one downstate and LI, one upstate west.

Evaluators must be willing to participate in a full day training given by ISA staff that will cover the requirements for giving the exam.

In addition, evaluators must be willing to commit to helping with at least one exam per year, which is typically a one day commitment.

CRITERIA (From ISA Tree Worker Evaluator Application)

"The evaluator shall be an individual who is:
A)   A Certified Arborist who has completed the evaluator training program.-or-
B)      A Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialist who has completed the evaluator training program.-or-
C)      ISA Certification Board of Directors approved based upon acceptable background and experience.

-Each applicant must have two references from practicing arborists who meet the experience requirement to take the climber specialist exam and who are not affiliated with the company, or organization in which the applicant is employed.

-The applicant agrees that if appointed as an evaluator, the applicant will abide by all policies, procedures, and standards established by ISA for the administration of the Climber specialist exam and program and will protect and preserve the confidentiality of the exam."

Evaluators may become CTW via the training, provided they meet all eligibility requirements including current CPR and 1st Aid, proof of aerial rescue training, and the ability to pass both the written and skills test portion of the training. See the CTW application booklet for details.

The entire CTW application with eligibility requirements is available at http://www.isa-arbor.com/certification/resources/TWappJan2003.pdf

Anyone interested in becoming an evaluator should contact Doug Wade, NYSA Certification Liaison, dwade@davey.com.

From the ISA CTW application booklet;

"Certification is a voluntary program providing recognition of one's professional knowledge by one's
peers. INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ARBORICULTURE (ISA) Certified Tree Worker/
Climber Specialist recognition is given by the ISA to those who (1) meet the eligibility requirements
for admission to the examination as set forth in this application, (2) successfully complete the knowledge
and skills examination, and (3) maintain the necessary number of continuing education units to
re-certify after three years.

The objectives of the certification program are:
* To be an educational program that will improve technical competency of the personnel in the tree
care industry.
* To create incentives for these individuals to continue their professional development.
* To provide the public and those in government with a means to identify those professionals who
have demonstrated, through a professionally developed exam and education program, that they
have knowledge and skills in tree care practices.

The benefits of the certification program include the following:
* Certification builds an individual's self-image. By studying for and passing the exam, individuals
reaffirm to themselves and their peers a thorough knowledge and dedication to arboriculture.
* Certification affords the public, those in government, and the commercial sector the opportunity
to make an informed selection of services based on the knowledge that is represented by the
Certification designation.
* The process of becoming certified and maintaining the designation, provides incentives to the
individual to continue his/her on-going professional development.
* Certification is a tool to help the employer both in training its personnel and selecting new
employees."