Certification
The New Hampshire Arborists Association tests and certifies arborists in New Hampshire.
Arborist Certification establishes a meaningful standard of quality in arboricultural work, improves the knowledge and skills of practicing arborists, and provides the public with criteria for choosing a tree care professional.
NHAA Certified Arborists are educated in the following areas:
- Diagnosis and treatment of landscape trees and shrubs
- Proper pruning and management techniques for valuable landscape trees and shrubs
- Identifying and selecting appropriate landscape trees and shrubs
- Installation, establishment, and after-care of landscape trees and shrubs
- Understanding the important soil and water relationships which affect plant growth
- Recognizing tree hazards, construction damage, and mitigation
- Preserving the aesthetic and ecological value of landscape trees and shrubs
- Understanding and implementing safety requirements for tree care operations including pruning, trimming, repairing, maintaining, and removing trees and cutting brush.
Certification Exam
The Certification Exam is administered twice each year, typically on the first Tuesday in April and the first Tuesday in October at the Amherst Garden Center.
Passing the Certification Exam requires an overall score of 75% or higher and a passing score in each subject area. Pre-registration for the exam is required.
Please read the Certification Exam Eligibility Requirements below carefully before submitting an application for the exam.
Next Exam
April 7, 2026, 9am
Amherst Garden Center (305 State Route 101, Amherst NH, 03031)
Exam Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
Certification Exam Eligibility Requirements
To become a New Hampshire Arborists Association Certified Arborist, an experienced tree care professional must provide evidence of their qualifications as a professional arborist and pass a comprehensive, written examination developed by a committee of experts in industry, research, and government.
The Certification Exam includes the following disciplines:
- Tree Identification
- Insect and Disease Identification and Life Cycles
- Tree Function and Tree Biology
- General Practices and Procedures of Arboriculture
- Soil Structure, Function, and Biology
- Arboricultural safety (safe work practices)
Candidates must meet the following requirements to apply for the Certification Exam:
- Candidates must provide documented practical experience in professional arboriculture, to include one of the following:
- A minimum of two years of full-time practical experience in professional arboriculture, OR
- A two-year degree in arboriculture and a minimum of one year of practical experience, OR
- A four-year degree in a related field and a minimum of one year of practical experience
- Acceptable experience includes work in professional arboriculture in a role that requires practical knowledge and skills in pruning, fertilizing, planting and establishing trees, diagnosing and treating tree problems, cabling and bracing, climbing, or other services directly related to tree care. Examples of qualifying jobs include (but are not limited to) positions with tree care companies, nurseries, landscaping companies, municipalities, state or federal forestry agencies, and as consulting arborists, arboriculture or horticulture instructors, or licensed pest control advisors/applicators. Experience must be within the last five years, and applicants must be currently employed in professional arboriculture at the time of application.
- Those who are self-employed or own their own company must also submit three professional letters of reference attesting to their qualifications qualifications as a professional arborist with their application
Certification Exam Application
A complete exam application includes the following:
- Completed NHAA Exam Application
- Practical Experience/Education Statement
- Practical experience statements must include the name, address, and contact information telephone number and/or email address for each employer and dates worked for each employer
- Educational experience statements must be related to arboriculture and must include the name of the junior college, college, or university attended; the address of the educational institution; type of degree earned and major; and dates of enrollment, and total time enrolled. Complete copies of all College and University Transcripts must be submitted with your application.
- Non-refundable $65 exam fee
The NHAA Certification Committee Chairperson MUST receive all application materials no later than March 1st for the April exam and September 1st for the October exam.
The $65.00 non-refundable application fee must be submitted with the application form. Candidates who pass the exam become New Hampshire Arborists Association Certified Members for the remainder of the exam year. Candidates who fail the Certification Exam on two consecutive exam dates will be required to wait a full year before taking the exam again and will need to pay an additional exam fee.
Recommendations for study and preparation for the Certification Exam are available upon request from the Certification Committee Chairperson.