ASCA

[Nickrosis]

A tiska, a taska, an ASCA member out there?

Seems to me that being a registered consulting arborist would be a great step to take in anyone's arboricultural career, but I'd like to hear from those who have taken the plunge. Was it worth it? What'd you have to do?

Website:
http://www.asca-consultants.org

February Academy in LA:
http://www.asca-consultants.org/join_rca_ca.html

 

[SteveBullman]

probably just another money grabbing scheme

 

[alanarbor]

There's a lot to it, I discussed the process with a registered consulting arborist, and the whole thing is pretty well laid out on the website. you need at least I think 5 years of practical experience, a bachelors degree ( or 240 asca approved ceus) which are different from ISA ceu's I think. Then you have to attend their consulting academy, and have a report review by them.

I could be missing a few steps, but it's definately intense. There's an asca conference coming up in the Philadelphia area, i forget the date off the top of my head, but it would be a good thing to attend, there's lots o' ISA ceu's there too, and subjects covered that you don't usually get at your local ISA chapter conference.

 

[Nickrosis]

I think you're referring to the Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Dec 1-4. It looked interesting, but the sticker shock gave me a heart attack. $715 for registration? Whew.....

In all seriousness, is there a student discount?

 

[treeman45246]

I've looked into this, too, and can't get over the sticker shock. I think the ISA can be a money grab, but I only have to re-up to the national chapter every 3rd year. ASCA is $365 every year, after you pay for all of the testing, academy training, and report reviews. It's just too much, for something very few people have heard about around here. If you are looking into the expert witness end of things, it is probably worth it... but not many people I know go looking for that type of work.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by treeman45246
If you are looking into the expert witness end of things, it is probably worth it... but not many people I know go looking for that type of work.

Sometimes that type of work goes looking for some people...:alien:

You need 3 reports reviewed, not just one, last I heard.

Nick, the conference is $715 for me as a MACISA member but for you it'd be...sit down for this...$865. So you'll want to join MACISA or Penn-Del for the $150 off. Doubt there's a student discount.

ASCA ceu's are about the same as ISA ceu's.

I've been going to ASCA meetings for 12 years, went to the Academy in 96. It's a great group of people by and large, but if you're not focusing on consulting it's a lot to spend. I love to prune and doctor trees; consulting is a major headache in comparison.

But still I do it.
If you think you want to engage in that masochism, go to the academy; feb 22 in LA. I'll go to the philadelphia meeting this year but the decision was easy; I have a scholarship.

 

[Nickrosis]

So what do people normally do? Go to a conference THEN go to the Academy. Ever start at the Academy and then attend conferences?

 

[arboromega]

i wanted to attend the conference, but the price tag........too much for today's salary.

 

[Guy Meilleur]

actually without the pre-conference workshop it's only $520. still high.

I'd start with the academy, to see if i liked and could do the work.

 

[dropcrotch]

Nick - judging by your profile, I'd say you'd be well served by ASCA credentials. CA's are recognised & called on for consults and reports over ISA's more and more here in California. I'm considering it myself. It is a bit of a price tag tho., An ISA CA I know here in SF has really taken off ($$) with his consulting business since getting ASCA. Good luck.