ISA Certified Arborist Exam — International Society of Arboriculture
The ISA Certified Arborist exam is the International Society of Arboriculture's credential exam for tree care professionals, covering tree biology, pruning, diagnosis, tree risk and safe work practices across ten weighted areas. It has 200 multiple-choice questions and ISA sets the passing score at 76 percent. SummitCert's portal gives you explained ISA Certified Arborist practice questions, flashcards, a timed 200-question mock exam and progress tracking by area.
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Everything included — in full detail
This is exactly what you unlock. No vague promises — real numbers, straight from the portal.
Your full practice pool — 350 questions total, written to mirror the real exam blueprint, with full answer explanations for every question.
Including Tree Biology, Tree Identification and Selection, Soil Management, and more.
A complete, realistic exam-day simulation with the same question count and time limit as the real thing.
Covering every key term, concept, and framework you're expected to know.
Hand-picked walkthroughs and explainers organized by topic.
Visual breakdowns of the frameworks and models the exam tests you on.
The exact formulas and calculations you need, ready to review before test day.
A searchable glossary so unfamiliar terminology never slows you down.
See your accuracy by domain, spot weak areas early, and follow a built-in study schedule.
Tailored to this exam: it knows your progress and weak areas, remembers your earlier chats, and picks up where you left off on your other devices.
Study anywhere — your progress syncs on the device you are using and picks up where you left off.
No subscriptions, no renewals — buy once and keep studying until you pass.
See the ISA Certified Arborist portal
Real screenshots — this is exactly what you'll be studying in. Click to zoom in.
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Topics you'll drill
8 core topics pulled straight from the real question bank.
- Tree Biology
- Tree Identification and Selection
- Soil Management
- Installation and Establishment
- Pruning
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- Trees and Construction
- Tree Risk
ISA Certified Arborist exam requirements & cost
Straight from the certifying body — separate from what we charge for the study portal.
The ISA program guide (revised August 2025) lists the Certified Arborist exam as a computer-based multiple-choice exam with 200 questions, and ISA sets the passing score at 76 percent. The exam outline weights ten areas: Tree Biology 11 percent, Tree Identification and Selection 9, Soil Management 7, Installation and Establishment 9, Pruning 14, Diagnosis and Treatment 9, Trees and Construction 9, Tree Risk 11, Safe Work Practices 15 and Urban Forestry 6. ISA lists a $40 application fee for members and credential holders ($50 for others) and an exam enrollment fee of $295 for members ($369 for others) with an approved application; enrollments are not refunded. ISA sets the passing score for the Certified Arborist exam at 76 percent, and because the areas are weighted, the average of your area scores does not equal your overall score. The portal mock uses 76 percent only as a self-check. ISA lists a $40 application fee (members) or $50 (others) and an exam enrollment fee of $295 (members) or $369 (others); the member retake fee is listed at $120. Fees were last updated in July 2025, so confirm them on isa-arbor.com. The content outline spreads questions across 10 areas; the largest are Safe Work Practices (15.0%); Pruning (14.0%); Tree Biology (11.0%). The full list of areas and weights is on the portal exam page. At least three years of full-time experience in arboriculture, or a combination of education and practical experience; for example a four-year degree with arboriculture courses plus one year of experience (ISA).
ISA Certified Arborist exam blueprint
Real domain weighting from the certifying body's own published exam syllabus.
- Tree Biology11%
- Tree Identification and Selection9%
- Soil Management7%
- Installation and Establishment9%
- Pruning14%
- Diagnosis and Treatment9%
- Trees and Construction9%
- Tree Risk11%
- Safe Work Practices15%
- Urban Forestry6%
Real pass rate, retake policy, scoring, and a study timeline for ISA Certified Arborist — free, no purchase required.
Common questions
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