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Certification Is Only the Beginning ...
By Derek Vannice, Director of Certification
Since ISA launched the ISA Certified Arborist credential in 1992, more than 19,000 individuals have become certified. Over the years, I have heard pretty much all of the positive and negative comments about the program. The test is too easy. The test is too hard. That individual did not have the experience.
The ISA Test Committee, an international group of volunteers who agree to serve for six years, looks at numerous statistics to judge the quality of the questions and the exam. One of those statistics is the reliability index, a statistic that measures how well a test separates those who know from those who don't know the material. The ISA Certified Arborist exam has a reliability index of .98 or, in other words, the exam is reliable 98 out of 100 times. The exam and the Test Committee that reviews the exam are doing an excellent job. The bottom line is that the exam has been established as a reliable testing instrument. With that being said, passing the exam is only the beginning.
Once you receive an ISA certification credential, you have a duty and obligation to practice tree care based on accepted industry standards. Every professional ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Certified Tree Worker/ Climber Specialist should have a good understanding of the A300 maintenance standards and Z133.1 safety standards. By not following the standards, you are hurting yourself because ISA is working hard to educate the public on proper tree care.
I believe that the most important part of becoming ISA certified is not the exam; it is the continuing education component. The continuing education component provides opportunities for every arborist to stay up to date on the standards and the latest practices. Doing so is your professional duty and obligation.
ISA's duty is to provide opportunities to build on your continuing education foundation. Many ISA publications offer CEUs. The new CEU compendia are an excellent way to obtain CEUs. Chapters offer numerous meetings and workshops for CEU credit. We are doing everything we can to help you maintain your credential.
Marketing ISA certification credentials to the public and to anyone who might contract for arboricultural services is another important area in which we are educating individuals outside our industry about certification. We are developing press releases and informational articles to place in the magazines and journals of other professionals, such as landscape architects, city planners, and residential developers. At the same time, we have a strong press release program for the public through garden writers and newspapers.
I also have heard the statement that ISA certification is a cash cow. Certification is a financially self-supporting program (as all the good ones should be). When the program was created, improving the profession, not providing excess revenue, was the primary motivation. It remains the primary motivation of the ISA certification board. The revenue from ISA certification exams and recertification goes back into the program for new program development, marketing and public relations, and providing more educational opportunities and services for those who already have an ISA certification credential. In fact, 40 percent of all certification revenues are returned to the chapters so that they can continue to provide CEU opportunities.
We have been able to develop these additional professional opportunities at half the cost of similar credentials because we have an international network of volunteers serving as proctors and as committee and board members. The volunteers understand the importance of giving back to the profession.
Like I said in the title, the exam is only the beginning. An entire career of professional development awaits all who want to step up to the plate.
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International Society of Arboriculture
