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The Board Certified Master Arborist credential is the pinnacle of the arborist profession, the culmination of years of training, education and experience.
Candidates must be in good standing as an ISA Certified Arborist and have accumulated a minimum of eight points from any of the four categories below. More information about each category and its scoring system may be found in the ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Handbook.
- Category A - ISA Certification Program
- Category B - Formal Education
- Category C - Verifiable Related Credentials
- Category D - Professional Work Experience
All points applied toward the BCMA application must be supported by documentation such as copies of certificates, original transcripts or letters from a certifying agency. Documentation must be submitted with examination application for review and approval by ISA.
The ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Handbook contains more details about the program, including requirements to become certified, how to maintain certification, and an examination application form. First-time applicants may submit the Certification Application online. More information about becoming certified may be found here.
The examination for this certification is offered as a computer-based exam ONLY; more information about the ISA computer-based testing system may be found here.
Recertification
The ISA Board Certified Master Arborist designation is valid for three years. Recertification requirements for this credential may be met in either of two ways:
- take, and pass, the advanced certification exam again
- accumulate at least 60 continuing education units (CEUs), 20 CEUs each in science, practice, and management over the three-year certification period
A recertification fee must also be paid. Learn more about maintaining certification here.
The ISA Certification Program does not discriminate in determining eligibility on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Certification >> Credentials >> ISA Certification Levels >> Board Certified Master Arborist
