Credentials that hold up
Certifications & verification
What each credential requires, how the exam runs, and where employers and clients go to check that it is real.
Reading & study
Climber books for CEUs
CEU values and quiz availability change. The estimates help plan your cycle; the live ISA quiz listing is the final source.
The Tree Climber's Companion, Third Edition
Jeff Jepson
Climbing systems, knots, equipment and safe work aloft
Buy/read the book, then use the current ISA Book Quizzes listing. Credit is awarded only for an active approved quiz.
View official listingTree Climbers' Guide, Fourth Edition
Sharon J. Lilly & Alex K. Julius
MRS, SRS, safety, knots, pruning, rigging and removals
Workbook chapters support study; confirm the active CEU quiz and value before purchase.
View official listingArborists' Certification Study Guide, Fourth Edition
Sharon J. Lilly, Corinne G. Bassett, James Komen & Lindsey Purcell
Broad Certified Arborist exam domains and refresher study
The guide itself is exam preparation; only quizzes shown as CEU-approved earn credit.
View official listingTo Fell a Tree
Jeff Jepson
Felling plans, notches, hinges and safe tree removal
Check ISA Online Quizzes for availability and the credential categories receiving credit.
View official listingISA Best Management Practices series
ISA
Tree pruning, climbing specialists and other practice-specific guidance
Each BMP and quiz has its own value. Use the live quiz listing as the official amount.
View official listingANSI Z133 Safety Standard
ANSI / Accredited Standards Committee Z133
Safety requirements for arboricultural operations
Reading alone does not automatically earn CEUs. Pair it with a listed assessment or approved safety training.
View official listingThe Art and Science of Practical Rigging Workbook
Peter Donzelli & Sharon Lilly
Rigging equipment, knots, limb removal and top removal
Score at least 80% on all eight tests. ISA notes these CEUs can be earned once during a certification lifetime.
View official listingHow to earn ISA CEUs
Most ISA certifications run on a three-year cycle. Certified Arborist typically requires 30 CEUs; Tree Worker Specialist typically requires 15. Confirm your own dashboard because requirements can change.
- 1Pass current Arborist News or Arboriculture & Urban Forestry article quizzes; recent quizzes may be free to ISA members.
- 2Complete courses, webinars, podcasts or quizzes in the ISA Online Learning Center.
- 3Attend approved ISA chapter conferences, workshops, climbing events or industry training from providers such as TCIA.
- 4Complete CPR or First Aid training and retain the card; eligible classes may receive credit once per cycle.
- 5Ask the provider for the CEU attendance code or confirm they will submit the attendance roster.
- 6For eligible training that was not pre-approved, submit a self-report request with the certificate and course details through the ISA portal.
Report attendance & certificates
Keep the code or completion proof until the credit appears in your official record.
- 1Sign in to your existing ISA account and open your credential dashboard.
- 2Check your CEU status first so you know the remaining total and certification deadline.
- 3For an approved event, enter the attendance code provided after completion or wait for the provider's roster to post.
- 4For outside training, choose Self-Report CEUs and enter the title, provider, date, learning hours and arboriculture topic.
- 5Upload the completion certificate, agenda or CPR/First Aid card when evidence is requested.
- 6Save the confirmation and check your account later. Online quiz credits normally post automatically after a passing score.
Show yours on your profile
Add your ISA or TCIA certification number to your profile and it displays with a verify link, so a hiring crew can confirm it in seconds.
Add my certification numberPrerequisites, exam content and renewal cycles are set by ISA and TCIA and do change. Always confirm the current requirements on the official site before you apply.