25.12.6
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International Society of Arboriculture

ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist®

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Justin McKool

ISA Certification is a voluntary program that tests and certifies a professional’s achievement of a standard level of knowledge and skill in the field of arboriculture. When a professional becomes an ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist®, they should be recognized by their peers and the public as a tree care professional who has attained a specialty in utility arboriculture with a generally-accepted level of knowledge in core areas within this specialty, such as integrated vegetation management, electrical knowledge, program management, among other areas pertaining to utility arboriculture.

Skills / Knowledge

  • Electric Utility Pruning
  • tree pruning
  • Integrated Vegetation Management
  • trees and power lines
  • utility pruning
  • utility clearance
  • tree clearance

Issued on

April 19, 2025

Expires on

December 31, 2025

Earning Criteria

Required

experience

At least 2,000 hours of verifiable work experience directly within electric utility vegetation management over the past two years or one of the following: • Full-time employment as an electric utility arborist, forester, or vegetation manager for at least 36 cumulative months during the past 10 years; • 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.

exam

Pass a comprehensive, standardized examination designed to assess the knowledge and skills in areas such as integrated vegetation management, electrical knowledge, program management, among other areas pertaining to utility arboriculture. The examination is made up of 115 multiple-choice questions.

participation

Recertify every three (3) years through at least 6 points of Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

other

Adhere to a professional Code of Ethics.

other

Earn and maintain the ISA Certified Arborist® credential

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