Certification Question

[Crazy Canuck]

I see a lot of talk on here about people who are not certified and claim??? that the only reason that they haven't got it is because they don't have the time. I thought that you had to work for a certified arborist for 3 years, or go to college and then work for a certified arborist for 2 years. This is what I've always been told though I may be wrong.

So..... My question is. What about guys like myself who constantly study and learn to better our technique, aren't certified, own our companies, but absoulutely can not afford to shut down and go to work for someone else? I desperately want to get certified but I can't afford to shut down my company to do it. Have I been mislead? Is there another route I can take that I don't know about?

 

[alanarbor]

You are misinformed. To qualify to take the test you need 3 years of experience in a related field (landscapers and folks who work in nurseries for example) A degree in a related feild and 2 years of field time also will qualify you. You do not need to work for a cerfied arborist. If you've been operating a tree co for 3 years you're definately qualified, unless the rules are different for you hosers, eh?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

The little(?) things you learn every day. Time to buy some study guides and get to it then eh!!!!!!!!!! Well of to work, today I get to deadwood 10 beautifull American Elms!!!!!!!

 

[clearance]

Like TreeCo said "You don't even have to have ever climbed a tree" Says it all, thats why i.s.a. certified people get 0 respect around here, unless of course they do or have done treework. How crazy is that? "Hi, I'm a surgeon but I've never picked up a scapel" Get your certification, because it will open doors for you and help you out in your business. But I have met a lot of i.s.a. arborists who can tell you what to do but wouldn't have clue 1 about actually doing it themselves. And it takes 10 inklings to make 1 clue. Trully useless people, textbook geniuses, wasting thier employers money and annoying the treeguys who do the work.

 

[JJackson]

3years experience, get the study guide, read and learn it, take the test. It does help open doors like clearance said. I have taken away knowlege from it that I use everyday, even though I dont climb trees. If anything it keeps you learning and that is always good.

 

[Koa Man]

I just let my certification lapse. Not exclusive like it used to be. Even the guy in charge of the Dept of Ed's emergency tree section told me too many unqualified guys are certified now. I admit it was good to have, but I never got or lost a job because I was or was not certified. I had 22.5 CEUs, studied and filled out the answer sheets for the extra 7.5 CEUs, but then decided I didn't care anymore and I did not need it. I plan to retire from this business in about 5 years anyway. If it will open doors for you or get you needed jobs, go for it. I already have a good customer base.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I believe it will open doors for me. I've lost too many jobs due to the fact that I'm not certified. Its funny, people around here want you to top their trees but don't want to hire you unless your certified.