Frequently asked questions

The exam has 200 multiple-choice questions with four answer choices each, and you get 3.5 hours (210 minutes). 20 of the questions are unscored trial questions mixed in with the rest, so 180 questions count toward your score. Source: ISA Certified Arborist Program Guide, checked October 19, 2026.

The ISA Certified Arborist Program Guide lists the current passing score as 76 percent. It is an overall score: the ten domains are weighted, so your domain results will not simply average to your overall score.

ISA does not publish an official pass rate in its Program Guide, and we have not found one anywhere on ISA's site (checked October 19, 2026). Be wary of sites that quote a specific figure without a source.

According to the ISA Certified Arborist Program Guide, the application fee is $40 for ISA members and credential holders or $50 for everyone else, and the exam enrollment fee is $295 for members or $369 for non-members. A retake costs $120. ISA does not refund exam enrollment fees.

You need at least three years of full-time practical experience in arboriculture, or a combination of education and experience: for example, a two-year degree with arboriculture courses plus two years of experience, or a four-year degree with arboriculture courses plus one year. See our step-by-step guide for every path.

Ten domains: Tree Biology (11%), 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%), Urban Forestry (6%). Safe Work Practices and Pruning carry the most weight.

It is broad rather than tricky. You answer 200 questions in 210 minutes (about a minute each) across ten domains and need 76% overall, so a weak domain can sink an otherwise good score. If most of your experience is hands-on field work, budget extra time for tree biology, soil science and identification terms; if you come from a classroom background, budget extra time for safety, climbing and rigging. Timed practice across all ten domains shows you where your gaps are.

You can retake it 30 days after your last attempt. The retake fee is $120, whether you test on paper or by computer (ISA Certified Arborist Program Guide). If you bought Complete Prep, our pass guarantee also extends your access by 12 months for free while you prepare for the retake.

Three years. To keep it you either pass the exam again or earn at least 30 continuing education units (CEUs) in the tested domains during the three years and pay a $220 recertification fee (ISA Certified Arborist Program Guide).

ISA offers the exam on computer at Pearson VUE test centers and on paper through local ISA Certification Partners. After enrolling for the computer-based exam you have a 120-day window to schedule and sit it. The Program Guide does not describe an at-home online option.

No. ISA keeps its exam questions confidential; its Program Guide says questions and answers are not released, even to candidates after the exam. Every question here is written from scratch to match the official exam outline, and each one cites a public source such as the USDA Forest Service, a university extension service or OSHA. See how we write and check questions.

No. Arborist Practice Test is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the International Society of Arboriculture. We use the exam's name only to describe what our materials help you prepare for.

100 questions (10 per domain) with full explanations and sources, a timed 25-question quick test, and the exam and study guides. Paid plans unlock the full question bank, timed mock exams and the study tools.

Yes. Complete Prep includes timed 200-question mock exams with a 210-minute clock, drawn from every domain in the same proportions as the official outline, followed by a score report by domain.

On any question you can ask why an answer is right or wrong and get a short explanation. The tutor is given our reviewed explanation and sources for that question, so it explains rather than guesses, and it tells you when something is outside what it can verify. It is included in Complete Prep, with a fair-use limit of 25 questions a day.

Yes, two parts. First, every plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee: email us within 14 days of purchase for a full refund for any reason, including if you sit the exam in that time and don't pass. Second, with Complete Prep, if you take the exam later and don't pass, email us your official ISA result notice within 30 days of receiving it and we extend your access by 12 months at no cost. Full terms.

Yes. Email us within 14 days of purchase and we refund you in full, no questions asked, whether you changed your mind or sat the exam and didn't pass; your access is then switched off. See the refund policy.

No. Both plans are a single payment ($49 or $149) with 12 months of access. Nothing renews automatically.

Yes. Open the study app with your access link and choose any Complete Prep feature; you pay only the difference ($100).

Right after payment you get a private access link. Open it on any phone or computer; there is no password to remember. Save the link, and email us from your purchase email address if you ever lose it.